JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Thousands of locals and tourists went to Jacksonville Beach to celebrate Memorial Day, and police were out in full force to ensure beachgoers stayed safe.
Despite how crowded the beach may have seemed, some residents said it could’ve been worse.
“It’s not as big as it used to be,” Jacksonville resident Buddy White said.
Beachgoers went to have a good time during the holiday. But having a good time on the beach can easily turn into chaos.
Back in March, one person died and two others were injured in a series of shootings on St. Patrick’s Day in Jacksonville Beach.
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Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach police departments were not available to comment about what they were doing to keep people safe. However, officers from all departments could be seen out in full force on the area’s beaches.
Does the sight of more police translate into people feeling safe?
“I feel safe. This is home,” Jacksonville resident Jamil Murray said.
White agreed with Murray.
“I don’t really worry about anything out here,” White said.
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Others were not entirely worry-free.
“The alcohol and you never know with guns. When two adult males start fighting, why risk it?” Jacksonville resident Stephen Brown said. “There’s a propensity at nighttime, so why stay and mitigate the risk?”
John Jackson, who visited from Atlanta, said he also prefers going to the beach during the day for safety reasons.
“Through the daytime, I feel safe, but before it gets dark, I’m leaving,” Jackson said.
In terms of the bar scene, managers and bar owners shared different approaches when it comes to safety.
The manager at Lynch’s Irish Pub said if things get out of hand, they simply call police and let them deal with it.
On the other hand, employees at the Surfer Bar told News4JAX that they have a plan in place should violence erupt. The employees did not provide details on that plan but said they have been working with Jacksonville Beach police.