Sheriff highlights drop in murders, addresses questions on new jail at JSO town hall
Share this @internewscast.com

Sheriff T.K. Waters addresses public safety concerns and questions on jail at Jacksonville’s first town hall of 2025.

The Jacksonville sheriff’s office held its first town hall of the year. Sheriff T.K. Waters shared the department’s priorities and progress.

He heard directly from neighbors who shared their concerns. Traffic was one of the big topics there Tuesday tonight.

Many people voiced concerns about speeding and congestion in their community.

Waters and his team also addressed concerns about youth violence and drug activity and plans to move the city jail.

The room was full on Tuesday night as residents of Jacksonville’s District 6 listened to Waters discuss how his team is tackling public safety issues.

“The importance of having these meetings face to face is to make sure your concerns are addressed,” said Sheriff Waters.

From 2023 to 2024, JSO said Jacksonville saw a 53.9% drop in murders, the biggest drop in years.

Waters credits proactive policing, community engagement and youth violence intervention strategies.

“We might be able to stop them, or help them choose a different path so they can live, avoid taking someone else’s life, and not end up spending their lives in prison,” Waters stated.

An ongoing concern already being addressed by the sheriff’s office is traffic.

JSO is expanding its traffic enforcement unit in the future, growing from 34 traffic officers to 50 and going from 17 motor officers to 30.

Waters also addressed building a new jail in a new location, because he says the current jail is no longer sustainable.

“This has to be done eventually, and we’re exploring many options for how to achieve it,” he mentioned. “Our city council is engaged, the mayor’s office is also on board. This isn’t just a T.K. Waters initiative; it’s something the entire city needs to address.”

As for the decline in murders and increase in cases solved, Sheriff Waters said it couldn’t have happened without the community’s help.

“This year our city has risen above the flawed perception that  it is an epicenter of violent crime, because it is not,” said Sheriff Waters.

The next JSO town hall meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 15th in district 5 at Trinity Baptist church on Hammond boulevard.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
New: The Story Behind the No Good, Horrible, Very Bad Day North Carolina Democrats Had

Inside Look: The Challenging Day Faced by North Carolina Democrats

As my colleague Ward Clark previously reported, it was a significant day…
ATK Scotty's Jacksonville murder case rests, testimony for Ksoo will continue

ATK Scotty’s Murder Trial in Jacksonville Concludes, Testimony for Ksoo Set to Continue

Leroy Whitaker, also known as ATK Scotty, is being tried for the…
Florida woman charged with child neglect after leaving 2 children in sweltering vehicle

Florida Woman Faces Charges for Leaving Children in Hot Vehicle

A Florida mother was taken into custody after allegedly leaving her two…
Large group of travelers waiting at LAX airport for a Honolulu flight.

Leading Airlines Suspend Flights Following Powerful Earthquake Near Russia Which Triggers US Tsunami Alert

The 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia has caused airlines to halt flights…
Manhattan high-rise shooting victims: NYPD officer, Blackstone executive and security guard among those killed

Victims of Manhattan High-Rise Shooting: NYPD Officer, Blackstone Executive, and Security Guard Among Those Killed

Four people were killed when a gunman stormed into a New York…
Lyons Township, IL homeowners waiting on certificates of error to receive thousands in Cook County property tax refund money

Lyons Township, IL residents eagerly await Cook County property tax refunds due to certificate errors

LYONS TOWNSHIP, Ill. (WLS) — It is money homeowners are owed but…
Dangerous trail leaves hikers stranded overnight on Maine's highest mountain

Perilous Path Causes Hikers to Spend Night Stuck on Maine’s Tallest Peak

Four hikers were rescued on Friday in Maine on Maine’s tallest mountain,…

Inventor Julian Brown Expresses Gratitude for Safety Before Missing Persons Reports Stir Social Media

AN INVENTOR popular on social media shared several concerning videos before he…
Kelley Wolf struggles to enter family home during live stream after Scott Wolf drops restraining order

Kelley Wolf Faces Difficulties Entering Family Home on Live Stream After Scott Wolf Lifts Restraining Order

Kelley Wolf encountered difficulties when attempting to enter her family home, just…
TEASER: '9-1-1: Nashville' joins 'DWTS,' 'High Potential,' 'Abbott Elementary' and more in ABC's primetime fall lineup

ABC Network Reveals Fall 2025 Premiere Dates for ‘9-1-1: Nashville,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ and ‘High Potential’

LOS ANGELES — It’s heating up on ABC! The broadcast network announced…
Kap Hope, Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland, with colorful houses and ice floes in the water.

Haunting Ghost Town on the World’s Largest Island: Abandoned for 20 Years, Accessed Only by Dog Sled or Boat

ON the edge of the Earth lies a village frozen in time…
Six arrested in connection to Park Avenue shooting incident

Six People Detained Related to Shooting on Park Avenue

The shooting led Jacksonville police to arrest a group of friends which…