JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With 57 murders reported so far in 2024, Jacksonville is on track to see the lowest number of murders since at least 1995.
It could be the lowest number in modern city history, but the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says it’s difficult to compare data before 1995 due to changes in how statistics were collected after that year.
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This year’s stats reflect a 53% drop compared to last year and a 60% drop compared to 2020 when the city saw a historic peak in murders.
144 were reported that year alone.
“One thing I do like, I love, is you guys, my friends in the media who I love, won’t be able to call us the murder capital of Florida anymore,” said Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters.
Sheriff Waters noted, that while there has been a nationwide decrease in murders, the drop in Jacksonville is significantly larger than the national average.
He attributes the success seen here to a multitude of factors.
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Perhaps the most significant one is a stronger public trust.
It’s something Waters said the agency has been working hard to earn through transparency and accountability.
“The more I tell them about misconduct within the agency, the more I tell them about arrests or investigations that take place, the more trust you earn. The more trust you earn, the more people want to come and talk to you about things that are taking place in the community,” said Waters.
Waters also argued the work of the Group Violence Intervention unit, more officers on the streets and reworking the zoning map have all also played a role.
“Think it’s allowed us to put the manpower in places where we know it needs to be,” said Waters.
It’s not just murders that are down.
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The sheriff said violent crime overall has also seen a notable drop this year and total offenses are also down compared to 2023.
Looking forward, Waters said he’s optimistic this is a trend that will hold.
“I think we’re in a good position. I’m hoping and praying that they stay this way. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure they stay this way,” said Waters.
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