JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 11 members of the revamped Jacksonville Journey Forward Board met for the first time Thursday at City Hall as they work to analyze and prevent crime throughout the region.
The group planned to focus on Juvenile Justice Intervention at the first meeting in the Lynwood Roberts Room at City Hall.
Steve Zona has a decades-long career in law enforcement, serving with both the Jacksonville Beach Police Department and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. He’s also served as president of the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police and the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police. Zona was nominated by Council President Randy White to serve on the Journey Forward board.
“As a police officer for almost 30 years, all aspects of what this is going to be about touches, my experience,” Zona said. “So, I’m excited to be a part of that board and help to work together towards a common goal.”
The original Jacksonville Journey was launched in 2008 under former Mayor John Peyton, following the murder of 8-year-old Dreshawna Davis a couple of years before. It was a tragedy that galvanized the community. Zona remembers it to this day.
“I think it really did outrage, not just the community in the area where that crime occurred, the entire city of Jacksonville, and the entire police force,” Zona said. “I remember how upset our people were.”
Charles Griggs, the city’s director of community initiatives, served on the Jacksonville Journey’s oversight committee for eight years.
This past summer, Griggs told News4JAX that during the first four years of the initiative, the city saw a nearly 40% reduction in violent crime in Duval County.
The new board, under the name Jacksonville Journey Forward, will observe violent crime as a whole, dig into the root causes and see how it can implement solutions with the help of local law enforcement.
Areas the board members want to address include juvenile justice and diversion, ex-offender reentry, family support and neighborhood stabilization.
Four of the board members were appointed by Mayor Donna Deegan, three were selected by the City Council president and the remaining four are nominated individually by the superintendent of Duval County Public Schools, the State Attorney of the 4th Judicial District, the Chief Judge of the 4th Judicial District and the Jacksonville Sheriff.
Here is a list of the appointed:
- James Ellout: Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Northeast Florida (Appointed by the mayor)
- W.C. Gentry: Attorney, Gentry Law (Appointed by the mayor)
- Dr. LaTonya Summers: Associate Professor & Department Chair, Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences, Jacksonville University (Appointed by the mayor)
- Dr. Tes Tuason: Professor, Public Health, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida (Appointed by the mayor)
- LTG (ret.) Walter Piatt: CEO, Wounded Warrior Project (Appointed by council president)
- Hilbert McDougal, Jr.: Owner, New Look Barber and Beauty Shop (Appointed by council president)
- Stephen Zona: Retired JSO (Appointed by council president)
- Betty Seabrook Burney: Founder, I’m A STAR Foundation (Appointed by DCPS superintendent)
- Octavius Holliday: Assistant State Attorney, State Attorney Office - Fourth Judicial Circuit (Appointed by state attorney)
- Lawrence Schmitt: Retired JSO Director (Appointed by Sheriff T.K. Waters)
There is still one remaining Judicial Appointment, which is a pending nomination by Chief Judge Lance Day.
“The board is made up of some extremely well qualified people who have served Jacksonville in various capacities over the years,” Zona said. “And I think the important part of this is for us to work together collectively and look at all the aspects the previous Journey did. Re-entry, prevention, intervention, which is extremely important. And then also, enforcement.”
Deegan provided a statement regarding the launch of Jacksonville Journey Forward:
“These nominees reflect the depth of talent and diversity in our city,” Deegan said. “Together, they bring a wealth of expertise and a shared vision for a Jacksonville where every neighborhood is safe, every family is supported, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”
To learn more about the Jacksonville Journey Forward and to fill out a community engagement survey, click here.
