JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Sheriff T.K. Waters and other members of the Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office took to the streets of Lakewood Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
The monthly Sheriff\u2019s Neighborhood Crime Prevention Walk brought law enforcement right to residents\u2019 front doors, speaking one-on-one about their concerns and priorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI used to ride over here as a patrolman a long time ago. It\u2019s always been a great community, a great neighborhood,\u201d Waters said.<\/p>\n
The sheriff emphasized that the walks are about more than just addressing crime \u2014 they\u2019re about visibility and accountability.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether there [are] crime problems or not, people deserve to see their elected sheriff, and they\u2019re going to see me,\u201d Waters said.<\/p>\n
Resident Patt Ritter said the personal outreach from the sheriff\u2019s office means a great deal to the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt shows that he cares. It shows that he\u2019s willing to knock on doors and find out how he can help us,\u201d Ritter said.<\/p>\n
During the walk, neighbors raised very few crime concerns \u2014 traffic issues were the more pressing topic on the ground. <\/p>\n
Ritter offered a broader message about the relationship between residents and law enforcement.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to put your faith in the people that are protecting you,\u201d Ritter said.<\/p>\n
The future, however, of not only JSO but for local law enforcement as a whole is on the minds of some residents right now.<\/p>\n
Local first responders have been openly encouraging the public to vote no on Amendment 3<\/a> \u2014 the state\u2019s proposed homestead property tax overhaul on the upcoming November ballot.<\/p>\n News4JAX asked Waters about the measure.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a 100% believer in tax relief, and I believe that people should have that,\u201d Waters said. \u201cI believe that whatever folks vote for, we\u2019ll adjust.\u201d<\/p>\n News4JAX also asked the sheriff about the status of Flock cameras following the state\u2019s move to have them removed from state roads<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re owned by another company, so they\u2019re going to take those down, and we\u2019re removing them as quickly as possible,\u201d Waters said, adding that some cameras have currently been covered up.<\/p>\n