March 2025

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 currently have two officers processing with three vacant full-time positions open. We have one officer in Phase III of the training program, and there are four phases total in the Field Training program. This Saturday, we are holding an accelerated hiring process for several candidates that are currently in the police academy.

Detective A. Ford celebrated 15 years with the department. He is currently assigned to the Detective Division as a Detective/Recruiter.

IN MEMORIAM

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Retired Lieutenant Roy F. Dorn. Lieutenant Dorn served the Jacksonville Beach Police Department and its citizens for over 29 years.

He began his employment on June 21, 1971, as a Jailer, and then worked as a Patrolman until January 31, 1975. On March 4, 1977, after taking a two-year hiatus as an investigator for the State Attorney’s Office, he returned to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. In 1993, he was promoted to Sergeant; in 1999, he was promoted to Lieutenant, and he remained in that position until his retirement on August 9, 2002. During his tenure, Lieutenant Dorn worked for all three divisions, received numerous awards and accolades, and attended the FBI National Academy.

In March, almost all our efforts focused on “surge operations.” We are now halfway through the two-month operation, and we believe we are accomplishing the goals as stated in Chief Smith's memorandum. 

We are receiving wonderful feedback from many of you, and we appreciate the kind words of encouragement. It is a systemic effort from all members and volunteers of the police department, and we are continuing to refine our response to spontaneous, pop-up events as well as planned/approved events.  

Our elected officials and leaders at city hall have supported our efforts both in word and deed. These efforts do not guarantee one hundred percent success in stopping violent incidents from occurring, because it is almost impossible to stop a criminal committed to carrying out a violent act; the criminal always gets a vote.  However, should that happen, we want it to be despite our best efforts, and rest assured we are putting forth our best effort. 

Chief Smith will complete a surge wrap up report next month, and we are excited to see the results. 

It will be a long summer for us, but we will work hard to make the city safe and to make all of you feel safe.  

Our message will remain the same: No illegal guns; No drugs; No fighting; No nonsense. We are fully staffed, fully prepared, and we are watching. No warnings. No do-overs. Just handcuffs and a trip to jail. Watch Sergeant Cohill's public message below.

2025 City of Jacksonville Beach Paid Parking Information

The Jacksonville Beach paid parking program will begin on March 1, 2025, and end on November 2, 2025. 

LOCATIONS 

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

Jacksonville Beach City Council added the following areas for the 2025 and 2026 paid parking periods:

• On-street parking spaces for First, Second, and Third Avenues, South, including the street-end, 100 Block, and 200 Block.

TIMES

The times for paid parking are as follows:

• Friday – beginning at 8:00 PM and ending at 2:00 AM (Saturday)
• Saturday – beginning at 10:00 AM and ending at 2:00 AM (Sunday)
• Sunday – beginning at 10:00 AM and ending at midnight

RATES

Rates for paid parking:

• $4 for less than two hours
• An additional $2 per additional hour to the maximum daily rate of $12
• $15 flat rate for select holidays and special events

Paid parking will not be utilized during the Jacksonville Beach Sea and Sky Spectacular or Opening of the Beaches Parade.

RESIDENT PARKING REGISTRATION

Residents of Jacksonville Beach can register for free parking through the City of Jacksonville Beach website. If you have previously registered for the Residential Parking Program, you do not need to register again.

You can read the paid parking information and fact sheet here. 

For the past five months, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department and #DEA have been investigating a local drug dealer. During the investigation, it was discovered the dealer had been selling illegal drugs, to include cocaine and ecstasy, in the City of Jacksonville Beach.

Last week, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department and DEA took the dealer into custody; he was located with drugs and guns. A search warrant was conducted on the dealer’s house where additional drugs and guns were found.

The Jacksonville Beach Police Department and DEA have always and will continue to work closely in dealing with drug complaints in the city.

Remember...If you #SeeSomethingSaySomething so we can work together to keep our city safe from this activity.

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

When 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!

From April 1 through September 30, dogs are allowed on the beach after 5 PM and before 9 AM.

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.  

Beginning on October 1, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time.

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.

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