FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. – Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook reported a decade-long decrease in crime rates during Thursday’s Sheriff’s Net meeting in Fleming Island.
Cook highlighted the success of community policing efforts.
“That includes both property and violent crime. Clay County continues to be a very, very safe community, and we’re going to keep it that way,” Cook said.
The sheriff credited three key areas for the reason behind the downward tick: smart technology, community involvement and law enforcement strategies.
“We have the best community. They call us when they see something suspicious,” Cook said. “They show up to the community meetings and share their concerns.”
Dozens of residents participated in the community meeting, including Jackie Cetnar, who wanted to learn more about the sheriff’s office’s initiatives.
“I’ve been following Michelle Cook on social media, and I know she’s been doing a great job [...], I do remember articles a while back where they were investigating pedophiles, because they did a great job, they caught several people,” Cetnar said.
During the meeting, Cook also addressed the unauthorized pop-up party at the Orange Park Mall. She said the sheriff’s office staffed the mall with additional deputies since they were unable to contact the event organizer.
“Originally, there was about 5000 people that we were told that we’re going to show up,” she said. “I think we had 100 and just a handful of kids that, unfortunately, caused a disturbance.”
