JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters kicked off a series of town hall meetings Monday night, taking questions from residents and highlighting what the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says are improving crime trends.
The first meeting in the series was held for District 5 residents at Trinity Baptist Church. District 5 includes Baldwin, New Town, Northwest Jacksonville and Riverside.
What Waters and JSO highlighted
Waters told the crowd JSO saw a 16% overall drop in crime in 2025, with violent crime down 8% and property crime down 17%.
He also said the murder rate is down 33% year-to-date compared to last year.
On the drug crisis, Waters said JSO handled 472 overdose death investigations in 2022 and 236 last year.
Waters also pointed to enforcement efforts targeting drugs and gangs, saying JSO has seized $8.3 million in street value narcotics, and that Duval County had one gang-related murder in 2025.
Tech tools and new initiatives
Waters used the meeting to promote technology and community-facing tools, including:
- ConnectDuval, which JSO describes as a camera-integration network. JSO said the program involves about 11,000 cameras and can help investigators request video quicker.
- The “unsolved crimes” webpage, where people can review photos and videos and submit tips. Waters said JSO has received 814 tips and solved more than 700 crimes through that page.
Q&A: violence, patrols, budget and teen takeovers
After presentations from command staff, the meeting shifted to questions from the audience.
Residents asked about neighborhood patrols and what JSO is doing to address violence.
Waters said JSO’s approach is “prevention, intervention and enforcement.” He said the goal is to stop it before it starts by connecting with those at risk.
One resident also asked why JSO is requesting a $38 million budget increase if crime is down. Waters said rising costs — including pay and benefits — are a major driver.
“Crime is down,” he said. “You don’t relax.”
Waters also addressed concerns about teen takeovers, saying JSO monitors social media and calling some of the incidents bordering on “riots.”
“Let’s go gather, have fun and break away peacefully and everything is fine.” he said. “If you break the law we are going to come and get you. Promise.”
What’s next: District 3 town hall Tuesday
The next town hall is scheduled for:
- District 3 Town Hall Meeting: Tuesday, July 14 at The Church of Eleven22 Mandarin Campus | 4911 Losco Road
The remaining town hall schedule:
- District 4: Thursday, July 16 at Hillcrest Baptist Church | 7673 Collins Road
- District 2: Monday, July 20 at Impact Church | 9501 Arlington Expressway, Suite 245
- District 6: Tuesday, July 21 at The Church of Eleven22 North Campus | 418 Starratt Road
- District 1: Thursday, July 23 at Aspire Church | 1435 Atlantic Blvd.
JSO says the town halls are open to everyone, regardless of where they live.
Residents can submit questions in advance by emailing townhall@jaxsheriff.org.