Sheriff's Office pinpoints high crime areas

Eureka Gardens one of highest crime areas

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – New documents were released Tuesday revealing the top 20 places in Duval County that you are more likely to fall victim to a property crime.

The list was compiled and sent to the city council by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Between 2011 and 2013, some of the top hot spots were the 8000 block of Atlantic boulevard with 196 incidents, Londontowne Apartments with 186 incidents and Forsyth street at Hogan Street downtown, with 143. These include Arson, auto theft, auto burglary and burglaries.

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Between 2012 and 2014 some of the top hot spots were Canterbury Gardens and Mathews Crossing with 168 incidents each, Arlington and Bert Road with 117 incidents, and Eureka Gardens with 100 incidents.

View: Jacksonville crime maps

Most residents in the area said they were not surprised but said they think it looks worse on paper.

One woman, who didn't want to be named, lives in Eureka Gardens said she feels very safe in her neighborhood, but said that's because of the way she lives her life.

She said a year ago when she moved in she wouldn't let her kids play outside because of the reputation the area got, but since, she's become more comfortable letting them outside to play under supervision.

"I think it's not about where you live, it's about how you live. People who you let into your homes, and what they have going on, you have to be cautious about that. As long as you don't involve yourself in things that will bring you trouble, then I think you'll be OK," she said.

She says there are all kinds of programs people can participate in, from game trucks and activities for kids, to dental buses and a community center with free internet. But the key is to participate. She said some do and some don't, which contributes to the problem.

"This should be a transition, living in low income housing, and some people don't use it as a transition, they live off this for life. A person like me, I don't. I came here and I'm just trying to get somewhere else," she said.

Downtown, specifically the intersection of Forsyth and Hogan Street, where there were 143 incidents between 2011 and 2013, resident Jabari Sanders, said it's hard to pinpoint why the area is so bad.

"Not enough police maybe. Anyone can be a target, if you're not paying attention, walking around lackadaisical, and you don't have your defenses up, you're an easy target," Sanders said.

News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said hopefully when the new sheriff takes over they'll use these lists to put more officers on the streets in some of these troubled areas.

He also said that the apartment management at some of these places needs to step up their game and make sure tenants are obeying the law.
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