Jacksonville, Fl — After a Halloween weekend that saw a mass shooting in Durkeeville and a deadly triple shooting in Regency, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan told Jacksonville’s Morning News that violence is never the answer.
“We have to make sure that we do all we can to lean into those programs and messages for young people that there are things to do that can engage you and will be fun and will allow you to get out and enjoy things without bringing a firearm or doing something that’s going to end in a tragedy,” Deegan told Rich Jones on Monday.
Deegan said having kids out in the middle of the night at unstructured programs could be dangerous.
She turned attention to the Journey Forward initiative, as well as programs supported by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, that give young people other things to do to stay out of trouble.
Deegan says the city has partnered with various community programs to create opportunities for young people, as well as parents.
From there, the conversation turned to service changes underway at JTA as the agency digs itself out of a nearly 40 million dollar budget hole.
“The bus routes need greater attention and that is absolutely true,” Deegan said about the new times that have been put in place.
Patrons will see schedule changes for Routes 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 53, 81, 105 (Orange Line), 202 (Mayport Express), and a new route: Route 34. Additionally, the Skyway operations will be paused beginning Monday.
Deegan says former JTA CEO Nat Ford needs to answer to Jacksonville taxpayers about the agency’s nearly $40 million budget shortfall and communication with the JTA Board.
“Why not, why were those things not shared?,” Deegan said.
Ford has indicated he plans to testify before a special City Council committee investigating the agency’s troubles, at a date to be determined later.
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