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Vice chair of Jacksonville's crime reduction task force speaks out about effectiveness

By Courtney Cole, Action News Jax and Action News Jax
By Courtney Cole, Action News Jax and Action News Jax
Twenty-eight days into 2019, and there have already been 11 murders in Jacksonville.
While the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says violent crime is down by 4.41% citywide, neighbors in crime-ridden neighborhoods say— that's not good enough.
That's why the Crime Reduction Task Force was created.
Action News Jax Courtney Cole worked to get answers from the leaders of the task force to find out how they plan to make a positive
The Crime Reduction Task Force held it's first meeting on January 25th.
The group, made up of city leaders, law enforcement, every day people and even youth— gathered to discuss Jacksonville crime statistics, provided by JSO.
All violent crime is down from 2017-2018, except robbery and abduction/kidnappings.
That's why some neighbors say they want to see more action and fewer meetings.
"I'm sure within the next month, we'll definitely be up and running,” said Councilman Samuel Newby.
He currently represents Group 5, at large.

When Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole asked him what they really expect to accomplish by June 2019, Newby said: "The first thing we're doing, we're going to take a holistic approach to this, we're going to inventory all the crime and safety prevention agencies in the city. We have, probably a lot of overlapping."

When Cole asked councilman Newby for a specific timeline of steps the task force plans to take, he re-directed her to the Rev. Mark Griffin, the chair of the task force.
She’s still waiting to hear back.
As it stands now, the Crime Reduction Task Force is only set to continue through June 2019.
Newby told Action News Jax if it goes well, it will be extended to a permanent committee.
When Cole asked what it would take to make this committee permanent, Newby said:
“Only thing it would take is City Council, we do a bill. and I'm sure we will. That's all it takes.”
Well, that—and funding.
But Newby said that shouldn’t be a problem either.
“It's not going to just be a study group. We're actually putting money behind this. We actually have $1M in the special contingent fund for this task force and also the council president said if we need more money, he will provide more money. That's going to be the difference.”

Cox Media Group

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