New numbers show crime is down in Jacksonville

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013, 6:10pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- New numbers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement show crime is going down in Duval County.

The Uniform Crime Report looked at crime in the first 6 months of 2013, and compared to the first 6 months of 2012.

In Jacksonville, the report showed a 15 percent decrease in murders, and a little more than a 6 percent decrease in aggravated assaults.

Overall, violent crimes are down 1 percent. The number of rape victims are up, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said that's in part because of a re-classification.

Business owners in Jacksonville are hoping the general downward trend in crime could change the way some think about the city when it comes to crime.

"Every little bit helps," said Pat Middleton. He's been selling houses in Jacksonville for more than 30 years.

Middleton said his clients ask him about being safe in Jacksonville.

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FCN Investigates: What exactly are you paying for at the pump?

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013, 7:35pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- We are just weeks from the busy Thanksgiving travel season.

But, before you fill up for your trip the On Your Side team has three things you'll want to know before you hit the road. It's part of a First Coast News investigation.

At the gas station, every cent counts.

"I get pretty much what my car gives me," said Michael Bryce, as he filled up the car. "I get around $20 half a tank, $40 for a full tank, $5 for an eighth of a tank."

If you feel like something just isn't right, you might be on to something.

It is Anthony Davis' job to find out

He's one of the petroleum inspectors with the Florida Department of Agriculture.

"We want to make sure that consumers are getting what they're paying for," Davis said.

FCN's David Williams joined him at the Chevron station on New Kings Road for an inspection. Inspections are done at least every 12-14 months, says Davis.

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Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Monday, November 4th, 2013, 6:39pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Are you looking for work? If you are, keep the following story handy.

Like many people, 37-year-old Ty Harris of Jacksonville, has been looking for work.

"Off an on for about a year," Harris explained.

He's been doing freelance work in client and project management, but is looking for something more permanent, which is why he came to a job fair Monday.

He said the job market is tough, which makes it harder to help his family of two children.

"I've gotten a lot of 'You're over qualified,'" Harris said of his year-long job search.

FCN's David Williams asked Harris "What if we told you, we know what the top 5 most in-demand jobs are in Jacksonville?"

To that, Harris responded "I would be impressed and I would inquire what would that be?"

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Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Tuesday, October 29th, 2013, 7:18pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Larsen Community is old and established, but about 125 homes are not connected to the central water supply system.

"It is bad and rusty," said Barbara Hobbs.

Hobbs, 78, gets water to her Don Street home from an old and failing well in the backyard.

"Everything is brown, " she said. "It is just nasty."

So she buys cases of bottled water for drinking.

Gary McCormick lives two blocks away from Hobbs on Clairmont Road and has a different kind of problem -- he has no water at all.

"I've been living for almost two weeks without water," said McCormick.

McCormick's home and two others were connected to another house that is tied in to a JEA water line. Two weeks ago that house was sold and McCormick and his neighbors were disconnected.

"We have to haul water in jugs from the park or the church around the corner," he said.

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Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Friday, October 25th, 2013, 5:55pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A First Coast News investigation shows the City of Jacksonville has spent nearly $20,000 on a week-long trip to Europe.

The investigation has also revealed that the cost will go up even higher once receipts from the trip are processed.

Right now, Mayor Alvin Brown, City Council President Bill Gulliford and Economic Development Chief Ted Carter are in London, England.

They are spending the week attending business meetings set up in part by Jaguars owner Shad Khan.

The game plan is to try and bring new, international business to the River City.

First Coast News has confirmed there are more than 20 different companies the city is meeting with. One of them is Deutsche Bank.

Leaders will also be attending the Jaguars game in London against the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

First Coast News obtained multiple pages of travel documents from the city to conduct its investigation.

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Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013, 8:21pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A phishing scam targeting JEA customers on the First Coast is on the rise this week.

According to JEA, scammers are calling people to say their service will be disconnected unless they purchase a Moneypak card.

The phone caller then asks for the number for the card.

There has been an increase in the last week in the scam calls, according to JEA.

In an email to First Coast News a JEA spokesperson wrote:

JEA will notify customers should their service be at risk for disconnect for non pay via their bill, letter and automated call. JEA will take payments via website, phone, at the main office, tax collector office, Winn-Dixie or any of the JEA-approved stores found on jea.com.

Anyone who receives a call is asked to report the incident to JEA.

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Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013, 8:15pm

SAN MARCO, Fla. -- It's a day that has gone on for 16 years all around the world: International Walk and Bike to School Day. More than 40 countries participate in the day promoting health and wellness for kids and parents.

Hendricks Avenue Elementary School has encouraged students to walk to school for more than a decade. Julia Miller and her daughter Campbell were one of several families walking or biking Wednesday morning.

"The fitness is so important and if you can show your children what it means to stay fit and how important it is, hopefully you're setting a great example," says mom Julia Miller.

The school's PTA Health and Wellness committee members see more benefits than that. Walking to school also has a positive impact on the environment. It helps reduce the amount of pollution from cars. It's also fun. Fourth grader Campbell sees it as a time to spend with her mom.

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