A spate of shootings in Jacksonville this spring has again turned the community’s attention to violent crime. Six teens were shot within a few blocks the same day community leaders launched a “No Murders in May Campaign.” Meanwhile, a county Health Department report warned of an alarming number of gunshot wound victims showing up in Jacksonville emergency rooms. A new University of North Florida poll found Jacksonville residents “very concerned” about violence and that they worry proposed property tax reductions in Florida could threaten resources for public safety:

• 96% of respondents reported being at least “somewhat concerned” with the violence problem in Jacksonville, while 80% reported being “very concerned.”
• 51% approved of the city’s efforts to reduce violence; 41% disapproved.
• 67% are concerned that decreasing revenue from property taxes will threaten resources for public safety and crime prevention in Jacksonville.
• 68% reported that rehabilitation and prevention should be priorities in the juvenile justice system, while 22.8% reported punishment as a priority.