Jacksonville police to increase patrols in downtown area for Georgia-Florida game to about 650

This Saturday, tens of thousands of college football fans will fill stands for the Georgia-Florida game.

JSO says it plans to have around 650 officers out in the downtown area – that’s more than a third of their force.

Jacksonville is in the middle of a population explosion as hundreds of Gators and Bulldogs move in for the week.

With recent violence on many minds, the sight of a badge can be reassuring.

The area feels “very, very safe,” said Mitzi Sage, staying in RV City.

Parking lots open at 7 a.m. Saturday – that’s an hour earlier than last year. The stadium gates open at 1:30 p.m., and JSO said to be in line by 2:30p.m. if you want to make kickoff. And, expect security to be the same as Jags games.

There will also be only one cash parking lot, at Maxwell House. So make sure you get a parking pass in advance, or have some cash.

Cox Media Group