JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Just as Mayor Lenny Curry kicked off a series of community conversations about battling crime in Jacksonville, a prime example of the city's struggle with violence took place on the Westside.
A double shooting just after 6 p.m. Thursday on Goldilocks Lane left one man dead and another seriously injured, police said.
At the same time, across town, Curry joined with Sheriff Mike Williams, State Attorney Angela Corey and Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti for an open panel discussion on youth violence in the community.
“People want a police presence. Law-abiding citizens want a police presence,” Curry said. “They want to feel good and safe.”
Curry said that was one of the many takeaways from his walk through a Northwest Jacksonville neighborhood Thursday afternoon.
Curry has been outspoken about the city's crime since the drive-by shooting death of 22-month-old Aiden McClendon.
He spoke with local residents during his walk Thursday, including Willie and Pricilla Williams, about changes the city is planning to make immediately, like adding more officers on the streets and more street lighting, and cleaning up blight.
“As long as I am out here with them, I am all right. But when things go popping and shooting, we are going in the house. That is anywhere though,” Priscilla Williams said. “That's going to be anywhere. As long as he's trying to make a start and make a change in any way, we welcome it.”
The mayor was joined in his walk by City Councilwoman Katrina Brown of District 8, JEA officials and the Public Works director, who identified street lighting needs, overgrown trees and shrubs, blight conditions, and other challenges that may foster criminal activity in neighborhoods.
JEA officials said Thursday that they will be immediately replacing broken lights in the neighborhood with LED lighting.
Curry's community conversation -- “Our Future: Addressing Youth Violence in our Community” allowed Jacksonville residents to express their concerns with increasing crime in the city.
Curry addressed the concerns and admitted that the police force is stretched thin right now and a solution will not arrive overnight.