I answered the questions the way I did not to cause controversy but to be real and honest.

I drive around the area a lot and do see some changes but I can’t help but think it might be another 10 years before a true turnaround has occurred and that’s only if things stay on track. There are still swarms of people hanging out drinking at 10:00 am on street corners and roving packs of menacing looking people down every other street. I always wondered if I was jumping to conclusions because I’ve never lived in a neighborhood where people didn’t know how to use the sidewalks or felt that happy hour lasted all day, every day.

I really appreciate the unfiltered opinions on the thread from the SPAR board. It’s refreshing to hear some truthful experiences.

My neighborhood is quiet. Just like most other ‘hoods’ in Jacksonville, mine is comprised of mostly hard working people, moral people, with a few undesirables moving in and out. You could say that I am lucky. However, I have a wonderful 3 year old son, and a beautiful wife, both of which I care for deeply. It is my goal to keep them safe, and happy. The distribution of drugs and other illicit behaviour is not something that I feel I should tolerate within a short distance from my property.

Given these circumstances, I have found some success in making my presence known, without jeapordizing my family’s safety. I have been in contact with JSO about my problem. They made it clear that it was my call to initiate an investigation, even though I had clearly told the officer (or office worker) on the phone that there was drug trafficking occuring just a few short steps from my home.

I have taken it upon myself to catalouge the traffic coming back and forth from this delapidated drug haven almost across the street from my up and coming abode. While giving stern but steady looks: pictures of license plates, detailed descriptions of persons, and very careful descriptions of vehicles are what I have compiled.

Since I began this tirade, traffic on my street has slowed, almost as if these criminals sensed that they were being watched, not by some government oppresser, but by a neighbor, a homeowner, and a family. For this I am pleased.

I can only hope that my neighborhood continues in a positive direction. With good people continuing to thrive in and around my neighborhood, I feel that this can be accomplished.

Maybe if we could get a Krispy Kreme to open on Main Street though, hmmm.