Jacksonville Jaguars Fan Forums

High school football jamborees have been a part of the local sports landscape for longer than I can recall, and they have always been an event celebrated by the local communities as an opportunity to come together and get a first glimpse of local talent.  It was always a big deal for schools to participate in these games.

 

With all of the violence in certain areas of town, I understand the need for caution in large gatherings.  It's a sad reality. When I read that one of the local high schools mired in much of this violence has decided to move their jamboree, and to not allow friends or family to attend, it is a disappointing but necessary reaction to the violence we've seen in our city in recent years. 

 

At what point does a community say enough is enough, and they start to stand up to this senseless gang violence, and if it eventually does rise up, how is that accomplished without causing even more bloodshed? 

 

Football game moved over violence concerns.

When they get like you sig pic, armed and get off my lawn

Quote:When they get like you sig pic, armed and get off my lawn

 

Nobody is holding jamborees on their lawn. Are you suggesting arming more people will help reduce gang violence?

It's pretty sad what certain parts of this town has become. 

 

There is more outrage for one off events in Jacksonville (and many other cities) than the things that happen nearly every single day in this city.  It's sad and until the culture changes where standing up for your city, neighborhood, and family becomes more important than having a chance of being shot, not much will change.

 

Edit:  I'm going to have to rethink going to First Coast to watch anymore football games in the future.

Quote:It's pretty sad what certain parts of this town has become. 

 

There is more outrage for one off events in Jacksonville (and many other cities) than the things that happen nearly every single day in this city.  It's sad and until the culture changes where standing up for your city, neighborhood, and family becomes more important than having a chance of being shot, not much will change.

 

Edit:  I'm going to have to rethink going to First Coast to watch anymore football games in the future.

 

While I completely understand the logic behind this, as self preservation is a pretty basic instinct, isn't that really feeding into the problem?  We're all cowering in fear of a few punks in their gangs using violence to intimidate and control a community?

 

I don't claim to have an answer.  I see the daily news reports coming from various areas of town, and I can almost predict that the first 10 minutes of each local newscast will revolve around some violent crime that took place in one of about 5 areas of town the day before.  No area of Jacksonville is immune to this stuff.  Some are better insulated than others, but none are immune. 

 

This gang violence problem has grown into such a significant problem for the city that it was a driving factor behind all of the campaigns in the local elections that concluded this week.  It's clearly a priority for some, but I don't care as much about what the politicians think we need to do as those who are closer to the problem, living in the neighborhoods that are surrounded by the dangers.

 

I live in one of those pockets of decent neighborhoods that is almost completely surrounded by subsidized housing that has caused an escalation of property crime AND violent crimes in the area surrounding us.  That has bled into our neighborhood in recent years where we're seeing an uptick in break-ins.  There have been multiple murders within 5 miles of my quiet neighborhood over the past year or two.  My next door neighbor and the family behind us have both  had their homes broken into over the past couple of years.

 

At some point, we need to stand up as a unified community, don't we?  Or do we just hide in our homes?

 

I've been asked to get involved with a local coalition in my area of town that is a combined effort between local churches, community leaders, and JSO to address crime and redevelopment.  One of the biggest focal points is on how to deal with the rising crime in the area, and the prevention of allowing gang related crimes to expand into our neighborhoods.  It is going to require a very proactive approach to deal with that and the other issues our community and this city are facing.  I'm just curious to know how many others here have gotten to the point where they're tired of picking up a paper or turning on the TV to be greeted by extensive police blotter reports on a daily basis?

Until the people in the hardest hit areas decide enough is enough, then there really isn't much the rest of us can do about it but hope.

Quote:While I completely understand the logic behind this, as self preservation is a pretty basic instinct, isn't that really feeding into the problem?  We're all cowering in fear of a few punks in their gangs using violence to intimidate and control a community?

 

I don't claim to have an answer.  I see the daily news reports coming from various areas of town, and I can almost predict that the first 10 minutes of each local newscast will revolve around some violent crime that took place in one of about 5 areas of town the day before.  No area of Jacksonville is immune to this stuff.  Some are better insulated than others, but none are immune. 

 

This gang violence problem has grown into such a significant problem for the city that it was a driving factor behind all of the campaigns in the local elections that concluded this week.  It's clearly a priority for some, but I don't care as much about what the politicians think we need to do as those who are closer to the problem, living in the neighborhoods that are surrounded by the dangers.

 

I live in one of those pockets of decent neighborhoods that is almost completely surrounded by subsidized housing that has caused an escalation of property crime AND violent crimes in the area surrounding us.  That has bled into our neighborhood in recent years where we're seeing an uptick in break-ins.  There have been multiple murders within 5 miles of my quiet neighborhood over the past year or two.  My next door neighbor and the family behind us have both  had their homes broken into over the past couple of years.

 

At some point, we need to stand up as a unified community, don't we?  Or do we just hide in our homes?

 

I've been asked to get involved with a local coalition in my area of town that is a combined effort between local churches, community leaders, and JSO to address crime and redevelopment.  One of the biggest focal points is on how to deal with the rising crime in the area, and the prevention of allowing gang related crimes to expand into our neighborhoods.  It is going to require a very proactive approach to deal with that and the other issues our community and this city are facing.  I'm just curious to know how many others here have gotten to the point where they're tired of picking up a paper or turning on the TV to be greeted by extensive police blotter reports on a daily basis?

 

I have no control over First Coast High School or the area surrounding it.  If they are going to the means of protecting the players and their family by moving to another school and not allowing anyone to watch it, then I wouldn't feel comfortable going there. I personally would not put myself in a situation where something bad could happen that I can not control.

 

I agree with everything you've said.  I am lucky enough to live in an area where there is little to no crime.  I have left my garage door open from Friday morning until Sunday night when we went out of town and not a thing was missing in my garage or home.  Lots of luck, but thats a pretty good sign up to this point.  I always worry that your situation can pop up, but I also know that a lot of people have it a heck of a lot worse than I do.

 

At some point the people in this community have to fight back.  They have to be willing to go to the cops and tell them of the problems in their area.  The don't snitch era needs to stop....its why there are many areas in Jacksonville where the people that live there can't even go for a walk.

Quote:Until the people in the hardest hit areas decide enough is enough, then there really isn't much the rest of us can do about it but hope.

Honestly, I think the good people in these areas have had enough.  The problem is that if they stand up and try to fight back, they wind up being targeted.  That whole "snitches get stitches" mindset is strong in these areas. 

This city will not be any different than most large cities with gangs. There will be certain areas that simply become theirs. Decent folks will move out more criminals will move in to those areas.. There will be lines drawn eventually where law enforcement will shut down criminal activity and those lines will be drawn by analysis of  money and influence. Areas that produce minimal tax base and employment will be theirs. The money makers and business shakers will be isolated.

 

Does Raines still play games in the afternoon? I remember my junior year at Kenny we had to go play Raines on a Thursday or Friday in the afternoon because of shootings in the Moncreif area.

Quote:This city will not be any different than most large cities with gangs. There will be certain areas that simply become theirs. Decent folks will move out more criminals will move in to those areas.. There will be lines drawn eventually where law enforcement will shut down criminal activity and those lines will be drawn by analysis of  money and influence. Areas that produce minimal tax base and employment will be theirs. The money makers and business shakers will be isolated.

 

There has to be a better way to address the issues than to simply isolate it to certain areas. 

Quote:Honestly, I think the good people in these areas have had enough.  The problem is that if they stand up and try to fight back, they wind up being targeted.  That whole "snitches get stitches" mindset is strong in these areas.

I thought it was "snitches lie in ditches". But yeah, that mentality doesn't help.

The violence taking place around this city is getting worse and worse each passing year. Now we have a football game where NOBODY, not even parents, are allowed to attend because of the threat of violence. What a truly sad situation that is. The reason it has become this bad is because it has not gotten the top priority it deserved years ago. It might not have been ignored, but it certainly wasn't addressed like it should have been, way before it got to this point.

 

Unfortunately, this type of violence will continue to get worse unless it gets addressed and gets addressed HARD, and it starts with the communities where the heaviest violence is taking place. Everybody must get involved in trying to change the current violent culture to make any kind of progress and we all know it won't be easy. There has to be strict consequences for all of those who are responsible for the violence taking place.

 

If this current culture of violence is not addressed like it needs to be addressed, how long until it finds your neighborhood, or work place and then becomes your problem?

Quote:I thought it was "snitches lie in ditches". But yeah, that mentality doesn't help.

Sorry, I'm still stuck back in the day when guns weren't used to settle disputes when it comes to my catch phrases.

Quote:The violence taking place around this city is getting worse and worse each passing year. Now we have a football game where NOBODY, not even parents, are allowed to attend because of the threat of violence. What a truly sad situation that is. The reason it has become this bad is because it has not gotten the top priority it deserved years ago. It might not have been ignored, but it certainly wasn't addressed like it should have been, way before it got to this point.

 

Unfortunately, this type of violence will continue to get worse unless it gets addressed and gets addressed HARD, and it starts with the communities where the heaviest violence is taking place. Everybody must get involved in trying to change the current violent culture to make any kind of progress and we all know it won't be easy. There has to be strict consequences for all of those who are responsible for the violence taking place.

 

If this current culture of violence is not addressed like it needs to be addressed, how long until it finds your neighborhood, or work place and then becomes your problem?

 

In order to do what truly needs to be done to quell this, you have to change the entire mindset and culture.  I don't see that happening.

What exactly is going on in Jax? I didn't think gang violence was as bad as you all are making it seem.... Of course I have been gone for over 5 years but none of my family/friends even mention it and my mother works in the court system. 

Quote:What exactly is going on in Jax? I didn't think gang violence was as bad as you all are making it seem.... Of course I have been gone for over 5 years but none of my family/friends even mention it and my mother works in the court system. 

I was wondering this, too. I've been gone about 5 years and have family there and they never say anything. Of course, they do live almost in Baldwin so they aren't personally affected.

I said enough 10 years ago and left my home on Dunn avenue until we ended up in putnam county.

Quote:I said enough 10 years ago and left my home on Dunn avenue until we ended up in putnam county.

 

 So 10 years ago you decided it was a Dunn deal, and got the heck out of there?

 

Wise choice.

Quote:What exactly is going on in Jax? I didn't think gang violence was as bad as you all are making it seem.... Of course I have been gone for over 5 years but none of my family/friends even mention it and my mother works in the court system.

Like most places, it's centralized in certain areas of town. I live in the area west of the intracoastal and there is very little crime.


I went to school on the Westside of town at Jeff Davis and Forrest. You couldn't pay me to live by those schools.