JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – With summerlike temperatures drawing big crowds to the shoreline, Jacksonville Beach police stepped up enforcement Saturday in anticipation of a possible teen “takeover” event near the pier.
Beachgoers spent the day lying out on the sand, playing games and surfing, but a heavy police presence was visible throughout Jacksonville Beach. Officers and deputies from Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, St. Johns County and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office were staged in the area.
The extra patrols come after a social media post promoted a takeover near the pier and just two weeks after a similar event ended in gunfire that injured five teenagers.
News4JAX witnessed no issues or “takeover” in the area Saturday afternoon.
Some locals said the visible law enforcement made them feel more at ease, even as they changed their usual routines. James Collins, who lives in Jacksonville Beach, said his family chose a different place to park than the lot where the last takeover happened.
“Anywhere you go, I see it’s going to be some kind of complications,” Collins said. “We’ve seen a lot of [officers] present today, everywhere. So it kind of made us comfortable.”
Jacksonville Beach police posted on Facebook, encouraging people to enjoy the beach but warning that anyone planning to fight, damage property, block roads or break the law should stay away, saying, “We’re ready.”
As beachgoers continue to take advantage of the warm weather, Jacksonville Beach police are urging anyone with information about planned violence or illegal activity tied to an event to contact First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at fccrimestoppers.com.