JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two Jacksonville city council members introduced a resolution Wednesday to commend the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for their efforts in reducing the city’s murder rate.
City council members Terrance Freeman and Nick Howland held a news conference at the Fraternal Order of Police to acknowledge the department’s achievement in finishing 2024 with the lowest number of murders since 1995.
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In 2023, there were 82 homicides reported. In 2024, there were 59 homicides — that’s nearly a 50% drop from 2023.
“This is a turning point for Jax,” Freeman said.
Sheriff T.K. Waters not only celebrated the department’s achievement but also addressed the work that still needs to be done.
“Any life lost to senseless violence is one life too many. These are families who suffered tragedy this past year, and there are many of them, even while the murder number dropped to a historic low,” Waters said. “Our investigators will keep working to bring those grieving loved ones the answers that they deserve and the victims of cold cases, Cold Case homicides, the justice that they are due.”
JSO credits the significant drop to group violence intervention, which targets the city’s most violent offenders in multiple ways. The sheriff’s office said it doubled the size of its gang unit in 2024, increased patrols and invested heavily in technology to help solve and prevent crimes.
“The men and women of this agency have worked hard, very hard, and we’ll continue to do so,” Waters said. “We’ll remain proactive. We’ll remain steady. We will be busy, and we will take care of the city and the members of the city.”