Downtown Vision Inc. released a report about Downtown safety statistics and how business owners, residents, workers and visitors can help maintain a secure environment.
The crime rate Downtown is 63 percent lower than the Duval County crime rate, it said. Crime Downtown accounts for 2 percent of the crime in Duval County.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Uniform Crime Report, the Duval County crime rate in 2011 was 52 incidents per 1,000 population, while the rate Downtown was 19 per 1,000 population, based on the daytime employment population. It did not include residents, hotel guests or Downtown visitors.
Crime in the neighborhood continues to decrease. The number of incidents Downtown declined 14 percent from 2009 to 2011, according to the Downtown Vision report.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has more than 35 officers assigned to cover the Downtown area. It also regularly assigns extra officers Downtown for events, including community and holiday celebrations, festivals, parades, races and football games.
The Downtown Ambassadors patrol 570 hours a week to assist residents, employees and visitors.
Ambassadors are available to escort employees upon request during regular operating hours. To request an escort, call the Downtown Ambassadors at 465-7980.
Downtown Vision also reported that Downtown has one of the most active Sheriff’s Advisory Councils in the city. The council provides an opportunity for Downtown stakeholders to talk regularly with the sheriff’s office to discuss areas of concern.
Additionally, there are other neighborhood watch and community organizations involved in safety Downtown.
Downtown is part of the Riverfront Enhancement Area, where it is illegal to panhandle and sleep on public property.
The sheriff’s office has responded to concerns about Downtown safety and the perception of safety and has increased enforcement of nuisance ordinances, Downtown Vision said.
The High Intensity Trespassing Zone allows the sheriff’s office to actively monitor Downtown businesses or properties and address nuisance activity in the owner’s absence.
The Downtown Information & Safety Network is an email network that notifies Downtown property owners about issues relating to Downtown safety and street closures.
For more information about Downtown safety or to enroll in the email network, call Downtown Vision Director of District Services Amy Harrell at 634-0303, ext. 224.