Nearly 70 percent of murders in Jacksonville, during 2018, remain unsolved

Jacksonville’s 2018 murder rate has surpassed 100 as we approach the last few days of the year.

So far this year, there have been 105 murders. Seventy-three of them remain unsolved, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office website.

The numbers are slightly down from last year. In 2017, there were 116 murders, and 71 went unsolved.

The city is coming off a violent holiday weekend that started with the murder of 27-year-old Nekecheana Phillips.

Her ex-boyfriend was arrested in connection with her death.

Then on Christmas Eve, Phillips’ cousin, Victoria Wyche, was shot to death.

STORY: Jacksonville mother killed had filed protection orders against boyfriend

Action News Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said this is not just one neighborhood’s problem but rather it should be a citywide concern.

“The police department in and of itself cannot solve these crimes by themselves. They have to have cooperation by the community,” said Jefferson.

Mayor Lenny Curry released a statement about the recent violence that said in part, “Although much of Jacksonville remains safe, I work every day to see every person in every neighborhood has the safety and security for the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

STORY: Jacksonville man shot on Christmas morning says bullet can’t be removed

Jefferson said the missing link for solving crimes is the lack of trust in police in some communities.

“Trust in the community is just like a marriage. You’ve got to keep working on it,” said Jefferson.

With five more days left in the year, the community is hoping the number won’t keep climbing.

Here is Mayor Curry’s full statement:

“I have consistently said that one violent crime in our city is one too many. That applies whether it’s the holidays or any other time of year. The four years before I was mayor saw an increase in murder of more than 30 percent. But in the time I’ve been mayor, it is statistically flat but I will not stop until we see these numbers decrease.

That is why I restored the cuts previously made to police and fire. My budgets increased the number of police positions adding 180 new cops, and I’ve given the Sheriff and State Attorney the money and technology they requested to go after criminals and gangs. In those same four budgets, I have ensured more than $120 million toward programs that work with young people in our most challenged neighborhoods. Those dollars are managed primarily in the Kids Hope Alliance, which has reformed and bolstered the work previously done in the Jacksonville Children’s Commission and the Jacksonville Journey.

Although much of Jacksonville remains safe, I work every day to see every person in every neighborhood has the safety and security for the opportunity to pursue their dreams. My administration will not rest until we achieve this goal. My first priority is and will always remain public safety.”

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Jacksonville Sheriff's Office: Man shoots attempted burglar in Woodstock neighborhood
Mom dies Christmas Eve after triple shooting in Northwest Jacksonville, police say
Violent weekend in West Jacksonville leaves two men dead

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