October 2024

Welcome to the "News You Can Use" Newsletter. Each month, we will share our newsletter detailing our agency's efforts, staffing levels, major cases, important dates, member highlights, and general news you can use regarding law enforcement in Jacksonville Beach. 

We are continuing to experience great success in hiring and retaining police officers. The number and quality of candidates has markedly improved over just the last eight weeks. We are reforming specialized units and filling vacancies with quality candidates. We still have work to do, but I am very optimistic about the future.  

Detective Corporal Mitchell Sorrells (SIU) was promoted to sergeant this month. He took over a midnight watch squad in the Patrol Division.  

This month, we are retiring Police Service Dog (PSD) K9 JACO after seven years of service. K9 Officer Craig Pfeuffer, JACO’s handler, will be returning to regular patrol duties. I will be seeking approval from City Council next month to transfer ownership of JACO to Officer Pfeuffer, so JACO can enjoy a quiet and well-earned retirement. 

The new traffic team officially began operations on October 1, after a very successful one-year pilot project testing the unit’s effectiveness. The pilot project was a huge success, and City leadership agreed to grant us four additional sworn positions beginning October 1, to staff the unit. The unit consists of one sergeant and four officers. It should also be noted that we applied and were approved for a federal grant reimbursing the city for $500,000 over the course of 3 years to partially cover the salary for the new officers.  

The Police Department completed a pilot project this month in which the Services Sergeant was temporarily assigned to crime prevention and community relations functions full-time. Previously, we had always completed some of these functions only as time allowed, and there was no formal unit or structure. The pilot project was a resounding success, and the unit has been named the Community Engagement Unit (CEU). Sergeant Tonya Tator was selected as the sergeant for the new assignment. The creation of CEU was budget neutral. Some of the responsibilities of CEU including the following: 



• Presenting various crime prevention programs
• Establishing direct links between HOA and condo associations and the Police Department
• Aiding in establishing and assisting Neighborhood Watch groups
• Performing residential and business security surveys
• Coordinating the annual Halloween and Christmas parties for children
• Delivering workplace violence training
• Supervising the Citizen Police Academy classes
• Liaising with the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA)
• Supervising the Citizens On Patrol (COP) and volunteer programs
• Performing Public Information Officer (PIO) duties
• Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) Practitioner
• Attending applicable public meetings
• Analyzing Crime trends and targeting problems
• Assisting elected leaders, city leaders, and police chief with messaging
• Internal investigations

For the second time in 10 days we planned, prepared and conducted hurricane operations. We faced another west coast strike with Hurricane Milton. This storm was more threatening in its track and intensity than Hurricane Helene. The storm was initially forecast to exit on the east coast, bringing us Category 1 winds and storm surge. As usual, a small change in track meant a great deal regarding weather conditions, and we were fortunate to experience that track change. We received no damage and no critical incidents.  

Jacksonville Beach Police Department Sergeant K. Shackelford, Atlantic Beach Police Department Sergeant Bonifacio and Neptune Beach Police Department Sergeant Torres represented the three beaches at the downtown EOC, giving us a direct avenue to county resources when needed.

Three Beaches. One Community.

DEA NATIONAL DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

We participated in San Pablo Elementary's "National Walk to School Day". We had so much fun with our partners from Wolfson's Children's Hospital, Neptune Beach Police Department, City of Jacksonville Beach, Duval County School Board Police Department, Duval County Schools, and San Pablo Elementary PTA! We can't wait to do it again next year.

During a recent City Council workshop, Council members expressed concerns about E-bike violations and safety. The discussion progressed, and concerns were also raised about safety issues regarding bicycles, pedestrians, and low speed vehicles. We decided to address all concerns immediately, beginning with an educational component. Police Department staff created a brief, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-remember list of talking points for each of the topics listed below.  These points are not all encompassing, and more information will be available on our website. 

• E-bike operation
• Bicycle operation
• Pedestrian safety
• Low-speed vehicle operation

This information will be distributed in pamphlet form, verbally during citizen contacts, verbally during community engagement functions, on social media, in traditional media, and on our website. By using the same talking points, the information will be consistently delivered by elected officials, city leaders, police command staff, individual officers, volunteers, schools, and partner law enforcement agencies.

After the education phase, the Police Department will begin the enforcement phase which will involve officers contacting violators, reinforcing the messages listed in the talking points mentioned previously, and issuing warnings. And finally, we will take enforcement action if necessary. The hope is that actual enforcement would be minimal, because the ultimate goal is voluntary compliance. Each stage or step would be coordinated by us utilizing all stakeholders simultaneously to maximize the effect. The coordinated actions will be regular and consistent, but will not occur every day. This will allow the officers and units involved to complete other assigned duties. These efforts will include the entire department, not just specialized units. Individual education and enforcement can occur at any time during normal operations.  The talking points were rolled out at the annual Police Department Kids Halloween Party. 

We will also be stepping up enforcement immediately in the areas of criminal transient quality of life crimes, unleashed dogs on the beach, loud mufflers on cars and sleeping and camping in public violations. We will continue these enforcement efforts until March, 2025. Then will focus all of our efforts for six weeks in March and April into conducting aggressive enforcement targeting illegal guns, illegal drugs, and criminal gang members visiting our city.  We have used this strategy of “setting the tone” for the summer months with great success in the past. 

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 36 VS. PROPOSITION 47

Over the last five years, I have cited Proposition 47 (Prop 47) in California as a prime example of why many of the problems presently exist in California. Similar laws have been passed in other states that were equally disastrous. On the 10^th anniversary of the ill-fated legislation, California overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36, to basically repeal Prop 47 and reinstitute stricter laws regarding drug use, quality-of-life-crimes, and theft.  The residents painfully discovered what many of us warned about 10 years ago!

This news article dives deeper into the issue.

JBPD'S SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN PARTY

The annual Police Department Halloween Party was held at the community center, and it was a huge success. Volunteers did a fantastic job as usual, and I received numerous positive comments from citizens. Approximately 450 people attended the event.

We have announced Citizen Police Academy (CPA) Class 50 beginning in January of 2025! We are also planning an all-CPA class reunion on the first night of Class 50. More information will be released on the reunion as the date grows closer. If you are interested in attending Class 50, please contact CEU Sergeant Tonya Tator at ttator@jaxbchfl.net. 

You can download the application from our website here.

The recruiting efforts took center stage for the Detective Division in October. The recruiting team worked tirelessly to ensure proactive efforts were at their peak. The team also ensured every applicant was properly processed and hired if the applicant passed each phase and was the proper fit for the agency. The recruitment team is comprised of the following agency personnel: Detective Ford who is the acting Recruiter/Detective; Corporal Heinrich and Officer White who are assisting with conducting background investigations; Investigative Assistant Hohman who aids in communications with candidates and compiling background files; Corporal Brossart, Detective Johns, Detective LaMont and Officer Currier who all assist with conducting CVSAs, verifying each applicant’s background file. The team processed a total of 14 candidates for sworn positions and hired five, then processed 10 candidates for non-sworn positions and hired one. A huge “Thank You” goes out to the entire team who made filling these vacancies possible. 

The Jacksonville Beach Police Department Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association presents the annual community Kid's Christmas Party!

Join us on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 5pm-8pm for family friendly games, hot cocoa, and of course SANTA and MRS. CLAUSE!

Read our combined monthly report to see what our agency has been up to!

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will host a public comment portal to receive comments regarding our agency’s compliance with CALEA accreditation standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services and overall candidacy for accredited status.

If you would like to leave commendations or concerns, please use this link.

You can read more on our website by clicking here.

As you head to the beach, keep our beach rules in mind!

• No drinking alcoholic beverages in public.
• No nudity is allowed.
• No possession of controlled substances.
• No glass bottles or containers on the beach.
• No throwing debris on the beach or into the ocean.
• No walking, sitting, or standing on the sand dunes.
• No grills on the beach.
• No public intoxication or endangerment of the safety of another person or property.

You can read our complete list of rules by clicking here.

Jacksonville Beach Police Department is hiring! Contact our recruiter, Detective Ford, for more information. You can also find more information on our webpage by clicking Join JBPD.

If you want to work for a city that places a priority on public safety, has an administration that values every employee, a city council, command staff and citizens who fully support our first responders, come work for us!

Check out our recruiting video here!

Click Career Opportunities to view job descriptions and apply today!

Paid parking has ended for the season. It will resume in Spring 2025.

We are currently evaluating the feasibility of adding more paid parking spaces south of Beach Boulevard (on a few avenues) and raising fees to park.

For complete information, including how to register for the Resident Parking Program, click here.

Current paid parking locations are the following:

• 14 1st Street North (Latham Plaza)
• 422 1st Street North
• 503 1st Street North (Pier)
• 450 2nd Street North
• 102 2nd Avenue North parking lot
• On-street parking in the 600 block of 6th Avenue North
• On-street parking in the 6th Avenue North street-end

From October 1 through March 31 , dogs are allowed on the beach at any time.

Year-round rules:

• Dogs must be on a leash 8 feet or shorter
• Dogs must wear proof of valid rabies vaccination
• Dog waste must be picked up and disposed of
• Dogs are not allowed on the sand dunes at any time

Dogs in the Atlantic Ocean within the owner's voice and visual contact are allowed to swim unleashed and then immediately put back on the leash before returning to the beach. This does not include walking the dog in the water or fetching. 

Violations may result in a fine of $55 per City Ordinance 5-41.  

Bicycle DNA registration stickers are available Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. Protect your bicycle with a bicycle DNA sticker today! You do not need to bring your bicycle. We will give you everything needed to register your bike.

Did you know you can submit concerns of drug activity in our community directly through our website? If you see suspicious activity here at the beach, follow this link and let us know!

Jacksonville Beach Animal Control is responsible for responding to animal welfare checks, enforcing city animal ordinances, and patrolling the city for pet violations. We only service the city of Jacksonville Beach and will only handle domestic animal calls. We do not respond to issues involving wildlife, birds, or incidents that occur outside of the City of Jacksonville Beach. 

Animals in our care are taken to Jacksonville Beach Animal Control, where they are checked for tags and microchips before being placed in clean and comfortable kennels/cages during their stay. Pets that arrive sick or injured may be taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment. 

Animal Control hours of operation are 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. 

How to reclaim your pet.

City Animal Ordinances

Paws Park Dog Park

FAQ Page

COJB Jobs

We believe that talented, customer service-driven employees are essential to fulfill the needs of our citizens. If you would like to be a member of our team, we encourage you to apply with us, see our current employment opportunities or sign up here to receive email notifications of new job postings.

Get Involved

Are you interested in making a difference and putting your skills and talents to work as a volunteer? Jacksonville Beach Police Department has an expansive volunteer program that starts with our Citizen Police Academy. For more information on how to be involved you can click here.

Live Streams

If you want to stay in the loop on developments in Jacksonville Beach, but are unable to attend or view a meeting live, The City streams and archives many public meetings to YouTube. Click here to view past meetings and live streams of upcoming meetings.

Social Media terms of use:

Comments expressed on any City of Jacksonville Beach social media pages do not necessarily reflect the opinions and position of the Jacksonville Beach City Council, its individual members, or its administrators, officers, or employees. The City of Jacksonville Beach reserves the right to remove or hide a comment without prior notification. Content that could be removed or hidden includes but is not limited to: spam, including links to other websites; obscene language or sexual content, comments that target or disparage any ethnic, racial or religious groups; personally identifiable medical information; comments that threaten or defame any person or organization; comments that promote illegal activity; advertisements for commercial services or products; or comments that infringe on copyrights or trademarks. The City does not endorse any content, viewpoint, product or service linked from its social media sites and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of shared information.