As Lenny Curry transitions into the role of Jacksonville mayor, he is taking a close look at several issues, including fighting neighborhood blight.
Outgoing Councilwoman Denise Lee is the head of Curry’s blight committee. The team will soon make recommendations about the best ways to fight urban decay.
“The mere fact that [Curry’s team] made blight a part of the transition is indicative that this administration is very serious about the quality of life for all neighborhoods,” Lee said.
All month, Lee’s group has listened to presentations from city agencies that are contributing to the anti-blight initiative.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has been partnering with City Hall to help fight neighborhood blight for the past two years.
Incoming Jacksonville Undersheriff Pat Ivey spoke about those efforts Thursday to members of Mayor-elect Lenny Curry’s transition team.
Ivey says it’s taken some unconventional police work, like recommending more street lights in shady areas where drug deals go down. JSO has also enforced loitering rules and put up cameras to catch people illegally dumping.
But Ivey says what’s not working, is the community support. He says police need to hear about problems.
“Plain and simple, we have a little over 1,600 policemen and there’s over 800,000 citizens,” Ivery said. “More eyes and ears. Call us, let us know.”
Lee says it’s too soon to make any official recommendations. But she says she wants to encourage neighborhood organizations to step up.
The subcommittee must make its recommendations to the Curry administration in mid-July.
