JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville unveiled a “Safe Parks Wi-Fi Initiative” on Tuesday, which includes adding cameras connected to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s Real-Time Crime Center and the city’s parks department to 12 local parks.
Mayor Donna Deegan said there are parks with cameras already installed and more with installations in progress.
Where possible, these parks will also have free Wi-Fi service available for park-goers to use.
“Wi-Fi in our parks is not just about technology, it’s about giving parents peace of mind and ensuring that our first responders have stronger tools to keep people safe. This is about safety above all else,” Deegan said.
Deegan said the initiative was initially recommended by her transition committee.
“It means faster response times, more coordination with first responders, and a clear signal that our parks are protected spaces for families, kids and seniors. And while our top priority is safety, accessible Wi-Fi is also an important investment in making our community more connected,” Deegan said.
The mayor said the Wi-Fi will give students the tools they need to learn, help people looking for jobs and keep residents connected to their community.
The parks with cameras are:
Parks with installation in progress are:
The total cost for this project was roughly $800,000. The Wi-Fi itself was installed at no cost, as all the equipment for it was donated.
Community leaders said this isn’t just about policing. The concept is something community activist Diallo Sekou said he’s been pushing for the past two years.
“What this does is eliminate the digital redlining and turns a public space into economic and education, and it always connects the people,” Sekou said.
He also said that in the first six months, children are expected to have higher rates of completed homework because of the Wi-Fi access.
The mayor’s full news conference can be watched below: