Expert finds 'insufficient, inadequate security' at Jacksonville Landing

Man set to testify in lawsuit over 2012 death of man leaving concert

JACKSONVILLE, Fla – How safe are you when you go to the Jacksonville Landing and the outdoor events that take place surrounding it?

According to testimony of a security expert set to testify in a pending lawsuit over a death of a man outside the Landing five years ago, security at the Landing has been lax.

The family of a 16-year-old shot and killed just outside the Landing in January notified the city and the Landing Wednesday that it may sue, claiming negligence for failure to provide a secure environment.

In 2012, 22-year-old Taylor Evans was killed after a large brawl that took place in a parking lot by the Landing as a concert at a bar was letting out. Evans and another man thought they saw the driver of a truck had punched another woman and they ran after him and jumped on the truck, hitting him several times though the window. Evans fell off the truck and was run over.

His family is suing the Landing and the parking lot owner, claiming that had there been more security, Evans would still be alive. 

To prove their point, the family’s attorney hired a security expert Russell Kolins. In his sworn deposition, Kolins blasts the Landing for not taking action when the security personnel that were on hand saw the crowds become large and out of control.

"They failed to respond to riots that broke out on the premise at closing time. They failed to warn patrons of dangerous conditions," Kolins said under oath.

COURT DOCUMENT: Read Russell Kolins' complete deposition

Kolins also said that after reviewing police reports that, "There was insufficient and inadequate security, and "More people equal more risk. In this case, there is a heightened risk because alcohol was involved.”

Kolins reviewed other problems at the Landing  and reported that between 2008 and 2012 there were:

  • 108 cases of battery and assaults
  • 218 disturbances
  • 77 fights
  • 258 thefts


"We are seeing more incidents happening at the Landing," News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said. "It seems like when we have these major events, city events, there seems to be a lot of security there around the Landing, and it doesn't seem to be as much of a problem when you have a large presence of police officers. But it might be the owner's responsibility to provide that security when it's not a city function."

Attorneys on both sides of the Evans lawsuit said they did not want to talk since it because it is going to trial in October. The owner of the Jacksonville Landing did not respond to a News4Jax request for a comment.


About the Author:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.