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Associated PressAugust 14, 2016

Two months after the massacre at a gay Orlando nightclub, residents say this city of newcomers is bonding in unprecedented solidarity, upending an old adage attributed to a former governor: “Florida isn’t so much a community as a crowd.” Elements that often unite communities — sports teams, food culture, generations of residents living in the […]

Associated PressAugust 10, 2016

More than a third of the 49 patrons killed during the Pulse nightclub massacre were shot in the head, and most of the victims had multiple bullet wounds, according to autopsy reports released this week. Only two victims had traces of soot, gunpowder or stippling, meaning most of the victims were likely more than 3 […]

Associated PressJuly 10, 2016

The Dallas shooting that killed five officers has spurred an outpouring of support for police, not only in Texas but hundreds of miles away. Around the country, people have showed up at local departments with flowers, sent social media messages or called to say thanks. They delivered coffee, pizzas, cakes and moments of solace for […]

Melissa RossNovember 23, 2015

Everything old is new again, the saying goes. In North Florida, that also holds true for crime prevention initiatives. Sources tell Florida Politics that Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is set to announce new details about a revamped Jacksonville Journey initiative on Dec. 1 The program, debuted under the mayoral administration of John Peyton, began as […]

Melissa RossAugust 24, 2015

Presiding over a new City Council of fresh faces, bullish on job growth and downtown development, and pushing infrastructure improvements in rapidly fraying corners of the city, Jacksonville City Council President Greg Anderson says it’s a new era at City Hall, as his goals align with new mayor Lenny Curry. “I think the communication level has […]

Melissa RossMay 18, 2015

Public safety has emerged as a major issue in Jacksonville’s superclose mayor’s race, with incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown defending his approach to this core function of government, while challenger Lenny Curry has hammered Brown’s administration on the issue of violent crime. A recent school bus shooting incident reinforced the narrative. In particular, the Curry campaign has […]

Melissa RossApril 1, 2015

Calling himself the most experienced candidate in the race, Republican Mike Williams says the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office “needs to do more” to reach out to communities in Jacksonville that don’t trust or cooperate with the police. Williams came in second in the March 24 First Election to Democrat Ken Jefferson, the agency’s former PIO. He’s […]

Shannon NickinsonMarch 22, 2015

There is always a story behind the data. The Uniform Crime Report data is what every law enforcement agency turns in to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and ultimately to the FBI. The data provide a snapshot of the level and type of crime in a community. This year the data for both the […]

Tag: violent crime

In Orlando, unprecedented unity after nightclub shooting

Autopsies: A third of Pulse nightclub victims shot in head

Shooting of Dallas officers spurs acts of kindness to police

Jacksonville Journey “2.0” to officially debut Dec. 1

Jax Council Prez Greg Anderson: “We can’t damage our river”

Public safety accusations fly on Election Eve in Jacksonville

Mike Williams: I have the track record to fight crime

Shannon Nickinson: Statistical gods fiddle with Uniform Crime Reports