JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office took to the streets of an Arlington community Saturday morning for the monthly Sheriff’s Neighborhood Crime Prevention Walk.
JSO navigated through part of District 1, starting at the intersection of Floral Avenue and University Boulevard.
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The walk focused on connecting with residents and fostering community safety with neighbors like Michelle Cunningham, a resident for 23 years.
“It’s actually been great. We have awesome neighbors,” Cunningham said.
She described the area as a community that watches out for each other, whether it’s through driveway conversations or the Facebook community watch.
“Very safe place,” Cunningham said. “I mean, nice people, you see neighbors walking, and everybody’s really friendly.”
Sheriff T.K. Waters noted the community’s overall calm.
“I think I heard a loud noise issue, a loud music issue -- and that’s it for the most part,” Waters said.
Waters mentioned the importance of paying attention to communities, no matter how high or low the crime rate is.
“Everyone, whether they have a lot of crime issues or not, deserves to see that their sheriff is going to be responsive and come out and talk to them about it if there is an issue,” he said.
AJ Jordan, outreach coordinator for M.A.D. D.A.D.S. Jacksonville, joined the walk, emphasizing community concerns.
“No concern is too small, and no concern is too big for us to address,” Jordan said.
Latasha Hobbs also participated while carrying a photo of her son, Maurice, who was fatally shot in Southside Estates shortly after his 18th birthday.
“This is part of my justice work for him, showing up out in the community, trying to make a difference,” Hobbs said. “ I didn’t have a choice to walk this journey, but I do have a choice to make a difference.”