The new report criticizes JSO’s relationship with black residents and calls for a citizen review board to be formed

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A call for reform in the Jacksonville sheriff’s office.

A critical report called “Safer Together” explains what the authors say are issues with the relationship between black residents in Jacksonville and JSO. The report calls for more community oversight of the sheriff’s office and several city council members will handle the report Monday night.

There have been harsh words for JSO in recent years when it comes to policing in minority neighborhoods. This was evident in the Black Lives Matter protests more than a year ago in downtown Jacksonville. It is also echoed by community groups that attacked JSO when police-related shootings occur.

This was the reason for the Safer Together workshops throughout the year organized by the city council. Some of these findings from the Safer Together report that came out of these workshops explain the problems. For example, the report blows up the sheriff’s office and the media for overreacting to last summer’s Orange Crush festival on the beach.

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This is what one of the authors of the report, Dr. Tammy Hodo, told the board.

“Orange Crush was labeled a black beach weekend and we put it in our report. There were 100 inmates transferred from the county to St. Louis County. Johns or Flagler County to make way for this black beach weekend. We don’t see it when we have 20,000 people coming to the Florida-Georgia match. The demographics are different, ”said Hodo.

This was included in the report, but there are many more.

News4Jax spoke with Councilwoman Joyce Morgan about this and how the report points to the sheriff’s office suggesting there are career-related issues.

“Of course, it’s a concern and that’s one of the reasons we’ve had all these workshops so we can bring people together so they can talk about it,” Morgan said.

One of the most controversial proposals is a citizen review board.

MORE | Should Jacksonville create a police citizen review board?

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The report suggests training him to help investigate police-related traits in Jacksonville. We know it’s something the sheriff’s office has opposed in the past. Community groups such as the Northside Coalition have been pushing for review board for years.

The council will re-enact legislation to study the process, but it will not happen soon.

“In fact, there was a lot more to it than the citizen board, but when something stands out like that you have to acknowledge it,” Morgan said.

News4Jax attended a public meeting Monday between two city council members who both agreed that citizens should be part of a review process, but cannot decide what process is right for Jacksonville.

A city council member recommends a policy review committee to review police policies and decide what policies should be maintained and what should go when using force.

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The other board member tries to decide whether a policy review board is more appropriate than a citizen review board that is involved in the investigation of allegations of excessive force.

“” We are talking about continuing education. We are talking about the number of correspondents who need to be active in this regard. An opportunity to take a look at the budget to see if we can properly reallocate funds to do the kind of work they weren’t currently doing, ”Councilman Michael Boylan said.

They both believe that either board should be occupied by citizens.

“I like the fact that Orlando is doing it. I like the fact that St. Petersburg is already doing that, “Morgan said.” We really want to do something because Jacksonville is the bold city of the south, so let’s be bold and do what we have to do for our components. “

Several of the people who spoke during the public comment section of the meeting are in favor of the citizen review committee and were upset that board members were scheduling more meetings to decide which route to take on a review committee. These meetings will be in October and December.

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Meanwhile, the Fraternal Order of the Police said it supported the idea of ​​a policy review board, but that it could not lag behind a citizen review board.

“These review boards work outside of emotions and political agendas and they all attack our members,” FOP Vice President Randy Reaves said.

News4Jax wanted to ask Sheriff Mike Williams about this on Monday, but declined an interview and said in a statement:

“The report has not yet been submitted publicly. [Monday’s] the meeting will serve as an induction … We also understand that there will be some recommendations included in the report and we will have staff present to work with the committee. “

Sheriff Williams will meet with Councilwoman Morgan later this week to discuss the outcome of Monday’s meeting.

News4Jax also contacted most Jacksonville Sheriff candidates in 2023.

Lakesha Burton, who was one of the first to announce it, said she hopes to know what Willaims will say about the reports.

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Wayne Clark, who is also a candidate, believes there may be a compromise regarding a citizen review board.

All of this is likely to be debated in the next election two years from now.