JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is preparing for the possibility of large car meetups expected this weekend, following a recent crackdown on illegal street racing across the city.
Sheriff T.K. Waters made clear the enforcement isn’t aimed at car culture — it’s aimed at keeping people safe.
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Recent operations lead to dozens of arrests
Several recent car meetups in Jacksonville ended with deputies making arrests after events turned dangerous. During a meetup in Tinseltown, people were seen on video speeding and doing burnouts in a parking lot. JSO officers swarmed the scene during “Operation Braking News,” resulting in more than 20 arrests.
A second operation the following Friday brought more enforcement action. JSO’s “Operation Friday Night Lights” resulted in eight arrests for street racing, including two DUI arrests.
During a news conference Monday, Waters warned of an expected car meetup scheduled for this Saturday, though he declined to release further details.
“As long as these gatherings happen in Duval County, JSO will carefully monitor them and arrest anyone engaging in criminal behavior,” Waters said. “I hear you’re planning on doing it again this Saturday. We’ll see you there.”
When asked how JSO received information about the potential meetup, the agency declined to answer, saying only that intel teams closely monitor these kinds of activities. Multiple Facebook pages have been used to organize these events.
Traffic fatalities outpace homicides in Jacksonville
According to JSO, there have been 105 traffic fatalities in Jacksonville so far this year — a number that far exceeds the city’s homicide total.
Drivers attending legal car meetups say safety is a priority for the community.
“Safety’s the main concern, right? We wanna make sure that, you know, everybody goes to these events to have fun and not have to worry about somebody bringing in guns or kids trying to destroy the property or gangs, uh, in the area,” said Levan Sims, a driver.
David Jennings, another driver, said the danger extends to everyone in the area.
“It’s not safe. It causes kids to be in places that they shouldn’t be and get in trouble that they shouldn’t have to get in, you know. So if we do our jobs and stop these extra little meetups, because we have those in Atlanta too, and it’s not safe for the kids, it’s not safe for adults, it’s not safe for the elderly. It’s just a bad situation altogether,” Jennings said.
Sheriff: ‘Street racing is illegal and dangerous’
What starts as a car meetup can quickly turn to illegal street racing. Waters has been direct about where JSO stands.
“We will never interfere with car enthusiasts who gather for safe and legal fun. I like cars myself. But street racing is illegal and dangerous,” Waters said.
Under Florida law, spectators shouldn’t assume they’re safe, either. Simply attending an illegal street racing event can result in costly citations.
JSO says it will continue closely monitoring social media and flyers promoting car meetups going forward. Anyone who witnesses street racing or reckless driving is urged to call 911.