JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Neighbors near a Westside parking lot have long been frustrated by loud late-night car meetups in the shopping center’s parking lot, which include blaring noise from loud music, revving engines, spinning tires, and burnouts, especially on weekend nights.
For the past two weeks, News4JAX reporter Erik Avanier has been covering the issue and spoke with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office about their response to the ongoing complaints.
In a written statement, police acknowledged that the Paxon Shopping Center, located on Edgewood Avenue, is a frequent source of noise complaints and calls for service. The parking lot often fills with people playing loud music and performing car stunts late at night.
Previous coverage can be seen on the video players below
JSO explained that most 911 calls about excessive noise come in late at night, but noise complaints are not as prioritized as highly compared to violent crimes such as shootings, robberies, and burglaries that may be in progress.
Over the past five years, JSO has conducted 15 deployments to the parking lot to deter these gatherings. These efforts have resulted in verbal warnings, traffic citations, and court summonses for some attendees.
Last weekend, News4JAX captured video of police officers responding to a report of about 100 people loitering in the lot and threatening security guards.
JSO said one person was cited for defying officers’ orders to leave the area.
The Paxon Liquor Store is the only business in the shopping center open until 2 a.m. on weekends. The property owner told News4JAX he will not renew the liquor store’s lease after two years of complaints, believing the store attracts the crowd.
However, a store manager said most people loitering are not their customers.
JSO has instructed store management to inform customers that gathering in the parking lot is not allowed.
The agency says it will continue deployments at the shopping center to address nuisance and criminal behavior.
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