This week a disturbing incident in downtown Jacksonville’s Berkman Plaza garage has brought attention to the growing safety concerns faced by residents and downtown visitors alike. The attacks, perpetrated by a man armed with wire cutters, have left victims shocked and concerned about the rising presence of homeless individuals in the area. As incidents like these continue to occur in proximity to the city’s jail, questions arise about the origin of these homeless individuals and the responsibility of city leaders to address the issue.

The recent incident began when a resident driving into the gated Berkman Plaza garage noticed a fire extinguisher obstructing his path. Concerned about the safety hazard, he opened his door to exit his vehicle to remove it. As he opened his car door, he was attacked by a half-naked man wielding wire cutters. In the ensuing struggle, the resident managed to fight back while some of the assailant’s blood spewed onto him. Another car approached next to the victim; the attacker realized he was out numbered and he ran away.

The resident soon learned that two other individuals in the parking garage had narrowly escaped an attack after refusing to surrender their car keys. The residents expressed their astonishment that such incidents were taking place within the confines of a private, gated garage directly across from the jail.

The attacker was caught and the crime scene officer told the resident he was lucky he wasn’t hurt. They had just left another crime scene not too far away from Berkman where the victim was shot. All of this was going on downtown and it was in daylight hours!

As the incidents in downtown Jacksonville continue to mount, downtown residents and visitors find themselves grappling with the unsettling reality of the city’s homelessness crisis. Just recently there were reports of a man wielding a crowbar chasing people from a downtown bar; panhandling outside upscale establishments is a norm; and some have even reported homeless having sexual escapades on the streets.

One of the residents had a conversation with a homeless woman who revealed the arrival of busloads of homeless individuals being dumped downtown. The homeless woman was questioning where these people were coming from and who was bringing them there. The homeless man who attacked the Berkman resident was from California and has a criminal record. How did he get here?

The irony of these incidents occurring in close proximity to the city’s jail has not been lost on those affected. People walking their dogs or heading to nearby establishments now find themselves in fear of being accosted or exposed to indecent sexual acts by some of the homeless. As a result, residents are calling on city leaders to take decisive action to ensure downtown Jacksonville is an inviting and safe place to reside and visit.

The recent wave of violent incidents highlights the escalating safety concerns caused by the growing presence of homeless individuals in downtown Jacksonville. As victims recount their harrowing experiences, it becomes evident that action must be taken to address this issue.

Sheriff T.K. Watters has just stepped into his new role and we understand he needs time to figure things out. This escalating crime situation has been under the watch of a Republican Mayor, Republican City Council and a Republican Sheriff and while they all throw stones at Democrats for being the party of lawlessness, they have no room to talk.

Residents all across Jacksonville are tired of empty promises to fix the crime in our city by political “leaders” and tired of watching their city show up on Top 10 lists of major crime cities.

The taxpayers of Jacksonville are disgusted with how crime is used for political purposes and candidate talking points. The reality is this: Criminals don’t ask what political party their targeted victim is affiliated with. They don’t care!

If this situation isn’t fixed, city leaders can give up trying to develop downtown…it’s too dangerous down there and the criminals love the wild, wild west they have created for themselves.

Let’s all agree it’s time to take our city back and get tough on criminals again.