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.

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