JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters alongside officers and local leaders took to Canal Street and the surrounding area Saturday morning to listen to residents in JSO’s District 5 during a community crime prevention walk.

The initiative is part of an ongoing effort to build stronger relationships between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve.

This morning’s walk marked the 7th time M.A.D. D.A.D.S., a local advocacy group, has participated in the effort. Outreach Coordinator AJ Jordan told First Coast News residents in District 5 (Riverside/New Town/Northwest Jacksonville) are deeply concerned about violent crime; he’s encouraging neighbors to stay engaged.

“I know it’s been a little uptick here, and I know some of the community members [are] talking about more patrols in the area,” said Jordan. “But, what this is two sides of a two-sided coin. You have to be involved in your community. It’s not just a sheriff department if you know, these young men and young women are out here doing things you got to make that call.”

Jordan also urged residents not to leave guns inside their vehicles, saying doing so can help prevent break-ins and keep guns out of the wrong hands.

Waters echoed the importance of showing up in-person and hearing directly from residents.

“We wanna make sure that the folks in this neighborhood know that we are here and we are here to support everything that’s going on in this community,” said Waters. “We wanna make sure we read this community of any violence, of any of any criminal activity, and I’m so I’m ready to hear from them [on] what they’re seeing, what [they’re] noticing.”

Community walks like this one are designed to have open lines of communication between law enforcement and neighbors — creating space for shared solutions and mutual accountability.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says more walks are planned across neighborhoods citywide.