Quote: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.

My hat's off to you, sir. I've been in Jacksonville on an extended job hunt/scouting trip for the last couple of weeks, and after seeing the news and talking to old friends who never left, I've shifted to focusing more on Flagler County, Tampa and Tallahassee as my target areas. Amazingly enough, the house in Riverside that I spent my childhood fearing for my life in on a nightly basis now feels very calm and safe to me, but a few blocks west or a mile north and it's as terrifying as it ever was. A quick drive along 103rd and Roosevelt looks far, far worse than it did twelve years ago.

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