Viral videos of Jacksonville Landing fights draw security criticism

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two videos of police arresting people involved in two separate fights outside the Jacksonville Landing on New Year's Eve have gone viral, with many criticizing security downtown in social media comments. 

The videos have raised security concerns as well as prompting the question: What impact will the footage have on businesses at the Landing and in surrounding areas of downtown Jacksonville? 

News4Jax had cameras rolling as one of the fights occurred on Water Street. The fight led to several police officers responding to the scene. Several of the people involved in the fight took off in different directions. One person was caught just outside Chicago Pizza.

About 10 minutes prior to that, a group of people in the same area also got into an altercation. At least three people were seen in the cellphone video being taken into custody.

Security had been ramped up for the New Year's Eve celebration and Jacksonville sheriff's officers were able to respond swiftly to the incidents.

"When you mix alcohol and Adrenalin, things like this happen everywhere. I was actually impressed (at) the way JSO responded here at the Landing," said Terri West, a restaurant employee. "Will it keep some people from coming back? Probably. Like I said, the only thing you can possibly do is guarantee the safety to the best of your ability and I 100 percent saw JSO do that."

Both videos gained a lot of attention on the News4Jax Facebook page, with many posting negative comments about security concerns. 

"I think it could affect the people that are not from Jacksonville. But it really doesn't bother people here because it's more of a normal thing around here," said Arianna Doswell, a Jacksonville resident. 

Paul Glaser, a restaurant manager, said Monday that the social media criticism of the Landing is unfair.

"One incident, out of how many 360 days of the year, one fight outside the Landing and no one wants to come downtown any more," Glaser said. "It's a bad vibe."

No injuries were reported in the fights.

It is not yet know exactly how many people were arrested. News4Jax has requested that information from JSO, but has not yet received a response.