JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville honored crime victims Monday as Mayor Lenny Curry proclaimed Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Several families gathered at City Hall for the announcement, including Robin Clemmons. Her 31-year-old son, Timothy Thomas, was gunned down at the intersection of Pullman and West Ninth Street last September.
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“I’m trying to keep a positive mindset that I’m going to get justice for my son, but it’s starting to fade away,” she said.
The announcement comes after a violent Easter weekend in Jacksonville, which continued with shootings throughout last week.
“One violent crime is one too many. But our investments are starting to pay off,” Curry said. “At a time when cities are experiencing exponential growth and crime, we’re seeing our violent crime go down.”
Curry said his budget has continued to put public safety first with investment in afterschool programs, summer programs, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s budget. He said the previous administration cut 147 officers from JSO, while he brought those jobs back and added more.
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The mayor’s first budget dedicated $402 million towards JSO. His latest budget puts just more than $500 million in their budget.
Action News Jax went through the sheriff’s office transparency page, which shows 40 total murders so far this year. That compares to 37 murders this time last year. There are six total arrests this year.
Clemons pleads for the violence to end.
“We see people dying, dying, dying. No one deserves to bury their kids. I don’t care how old they are. They’re our kids. I just want justice for my son.”