JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A cemetery in Northwest Jacksonville, which has sat neglected and overgrown for years, finally received some help on Monday. But it wasn’t from the property owner or the city; it was a community member who saw our story and just wanted to lend a helping hand.
Robert Abbott, a retired member of the Coast Guard who is currently furloughed during the ongoing government shutdown, grabbed a lawnmower and got to work, with the help of another community member.
Abbott, who doesn’t live in the neighborhood, said he saw News4JAX’s stories on the Spiers Brown Roberts Cemetery, which is located west of 33rd Street on Spires Avenue.
Neighbors said the property has been neglected for decades, and city records show nuisance citations dating back to 1997. According to city officials, there are currently more than $76,000 in fines.
Neighbors have expressed frustration, saying no one comes to maintain or mow the cemetery.
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Abbott said instead of sitting at home doing nothing while politicians in Washington D.C. go back and forth over how to reopen the government, he wanted to make a difference.
He said he wanted to do it because he believes the people buried there deserve some respect.
Abbott didn’t finish his work on Monday because he had equipment issues, but he’s hoping someone else in the community will join him with some larger equipment to help him finish the job.
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