Law Recommendations

Law Enforcement and Deterence Committee

Recommendation 1:
Encourage local judiciary to reconsider adoption of revised bond schedule for release from jail prior to first appearance that is outlined in the administrative order drafted by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

Cost: No cost anticipated

Other Recommendations:
   Local and state legislative changes
   Revenue generating and cost saving opportunities
   Technology enhancements
   Criminal justice website and community awareness

Increasing Police Presence Workgroup

Recommendation 2:
Add 101 patrol officers, 124 corrections officers and 38 civilian positions at JSO.

Patrol officers should be added over a five year period with reviews conducted yearly to reevaluate need.
Corrections officers and civilian positions should be added as quickly as possible to reduce overtime costs and produce a net budget savings.

Cost: Five years- $34.92 million

Getting Guns Off the Streets Workgroup

Recommendation 3:
Substantially increase routine use of post-incarceration supervision, i.e. probation and community control, for convicted felons.

Cost: No cost anticipated.

Recommendation 4:
Encourage judiciary and SAO to consider more stringent sentencing where police and prosecutors have identified those individuals who pose an ongoing threat or danger to the community.

Replication of Operation Safe Street model to sentence habitual criminals who pose a threat of violence even if prior charges are for non-violent felony.

Cost: No cost anticipated.

Administration of Justice Workgroup

Recommendation 5:
Encourage judiciary and State Attorney's Office to ensure that they are doing everything possible to quickly move pending felony cases through the judicial system.

Work with the Public Defender's Office
Encourage judiciary to consider increasing the frequency of pre-trial conferences, allowing parties to discuss resolution on a more frequent basis and any preliminary matters can be dealt with quickly

School Safety Workgroup

Recommendation 6:
Duval County School Board and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office should create a specific Special Events Safety Plan for each school within Duval County.

Two organizations should eliminate any obstacles that exist to providing the necessary security and should fully execute the plans once created.

Cost: No additional funding need anticipated