Mike Williams: Why I Want To Be Your Next Sheriff

[MikeWilliams]

Gotta head back out - thanks again. I will aim to get back here tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to celebrating my mom and my wife tomorrow - don't forget Mother's Day. And please encourage everyone to VOTE - it's too important for Jacksonville not to have everyone participate. Polls are open EVERY DAY 10am-6pm. Have a good one!

[MikeWilliams]

Good morning everyone.
Hope the week is off to a great start and no one was stuck in that horrible traffic from the tragic accident on I-95.
This week is action packed as I will be participating in two live televised debates: Weds night on WJXT and Thurs on WJAX. Looks like the Wednesday night debate is the only one permitting an audience in attendance. If anyone has interest in attending, contact our office for details 904.235.9863. Headed out today to a candidate forum hosted by the Jacksonville chapter of the Meninak Club. I will check back here this afternoon. Have a great day!

[Keef11]

I've read more about both candidates.  It looks like you are the most qualified.  I also had my co-worker tell me that Ken doesn't pay child support or taxes.  Is that true?  I don't want to get negative but if a guy owes money can he still be Sheriff?  My co-worker also said that you had credit issues too.  Can you please tell everyone the TRUTH!       

[coredumped]

Mike, where do you stand on police radios for the media? They've offered to pay but Rutherford still cited cost as an issue.

[Jax native]

I appreciate the answers he gave to two questions I had, and wondering if he can provide a phone number to his campaighn for follow up?  Thanks

[MikeWilliams]

Mike, where do you stand on police radios for the media? They've offered to pay but Rutherford still cited cost as an issue.

Good question: Cost is not the concern I have regarding the media having access to police radios - my concern is in protecting the rights of the citizens of Jacksonville. JSO is accountable for ensuring that CONFIDENTIAL or EXEMPT information is NOT broadcast in real time to non-emergency responders. It is our responsibility to make sure that communication to the public does not include information about anyone reporting an emergency, the identity of a victim, location of a crime victim, etc. Real time radio transmissions with confidential information are not only prohibited by Florida law, but it would be wrong to expose those victims to further victimization,not to mention to expose the agency (and taxpayers to a level of liability). This is not about journalists, it is about protecting citizens from the release of confidential information about them.

[MikeWilliams]

I appreciate the answers he gave to two questions I had, and wondering if he can provide a phone number to his campaighn for follow up?  Thanks

Campaign Phone is (904) 235-9863 - email is info@MikeWilliamsForSheriff.com
Best effort for follow up is to have a conversation - if you call the campaign office, we can advise you to my schedule. I know there are some community meet-ups coming up this week/weekend. It would be great to have you come out.

[Jax native]

Thanks you, Mr. williams for your quick response.  One more question if I may, within the past month Law Enforcement agencies around the State of Florida was awarded millions of dollars, I believe from confiscated items used during criminal activities.  I'm unsure what the exact name of this program is.  JSO received, again, I'm not sure on the amount, but seem to remember about $500,000.  JSO spokesman Hackney stated JSO will use it to upgrade equipment.  Do you know exactly how much JSO received and could this money go for body cameras?  Thank you,

[Jax native]

Stephen, I have no right to ask you about recent comments, as this is an open forum.  Two comments above have been openly rude, and have no place in a conversation one of the candidates for Jacksonville Sheriff.  Mike Williams has given us his time and efforts answering serious questions.  I would hope you are able to mute the asinse comments a few are stating in this serious conversation.  It is disrespectful to Mike Williams and members who are talking to and with Mike Williams. 

I feel he is a guest on MJ, not a member of the group, and should be treated with respect he has given to us. 

[MikeWilliams]

Mike, when you say that you would pursue more social media for community policing, what would that entail?

Last night, there was discussion about being undermanned to provide safe streets.  Is that true?

Would the legalization of marijuana have any effect on the amount of manpower needed? Or does the cost reflect the sheer number of street miles that the police force must patrol?

COMMUNITY POLICING: Social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook are helpful for real time interaction with sharing information between citizens and the agency. JSO also has interactive crime mapping online where folks can enter their own police reports. I think JSO can further expand its capabilities by connecting to message board platforms such as NextDoor.com to both notify and engage with people about what is happening in their neighborhoods.

POLICE STAFFING: We have a history in Jacksonville of low investment in law enforcement and we are below the national average in officers per 1000 citizens (We are at about 1.8, and the national average is 2+).

[MikeWilliams]

Thanks you, Mr. williams for your quick response.  One more question if I may, within the past month Law Enforcement agencies around the State of Florida was awarded millions of dollars, I believe from confiscated items used during criminal activities.  I'm unsure what the exact name of this program is.  JSO received, again, I'm not sure on the amount, but seem to remember about $500,000.  JSO spokesman Hackney stated JSO will use it to upgrade equipment.  Do you know exactly how much JSO received and could this money go for body cameras?  Thank you,

Last month JSO was awarded $600K from federal forfeiture for a criminal case from 2012. The monies are designated from the US Attorney Office and is a portion of the assets from the case. JSO will use those funds for equipment as is mandated by the program. While it is a significant amount of money, it is not enough to launch a Body Camera Program.

[Tacachale]

Thank you for your comments, Mike. You've definitely helped make up my mind. Count me in.

[brainstormer]

NPR had a report today on the city of Oakland and their Citizens Police Academy. From what it sounds like, people get an opportunity to interact with officers and learn more about the operations of the police dept. and the challenges of being a police officer. It is meant to encourage dialogue and understanding in the community. I immediately thought about your idea to have officers meet the citizens in the neighborhoods they protect.

I believe in learning from others and the program in Oakland is something you might want to learn more about. Perhaps something similar could be implemented here in Jacksonville.

[Ralph W]

http://www.coj.net/departments/sheriffs-office/citizen-involvement/citizen-academy.aspx

JSO has the citizen's academy as well as a ride-along program.

Another avenue for citizen interaction with JSO is the SHADCO program - look it up on their website.

[brainstormer]

Wow! Thanks Ralph. I've lived in Jacksonville since 2007 and didn't know any of this. Perhaps there are good things happening at JSO that the average person has no idea are happening. Maybe JSO needs to be more proactive about sharing the good things about the department. Sadly, we can't rely on local media to that.