JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has been blocking traffic and adding more patrol officers in the Five Points neighborhood during the weekends due to an increased nightlife scene after businesses close.
Matt Kemper, owner of Taqueria Cinco, said he’s not surprised to see things become out of control after closing.
“People are going to get wild. Everybody needs a place to do that, I think that’s the problem is that there’s no safe space or area where people can go do more activities besides bars that you go get lit at, and then you’re released out into the public,” Kemper said.
He also said since incidents started happening in the area, and JSO increased its presence, his business has been affected.
“After the cops show up it might increase the safety a little bit but it definitely kills the business down a little bit,” Kemper said.
Taqueria Cinco sits on the road off the one-way, so when cops arrive they block off the turn to get to his business.
Kemper said it’s good that crime is down in the community.
“We’ll push through you just ask that everyone’s patient and keeps coming out and finding us now that it’s even more difficult,” Kemper said.
Other business owners in Five Points say they just want everyone to come out and have a good time but do it safely.