Jacksonville Review – May 2026

AT A RECENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING, members of the public stepped forward to praise our Jacksonville Police Department. It is hard to imagine that not that long ago we were looking at the possibility of losing our department entirely and entering into a contract with Jackson County sheriffs. What a difference a year or two can make! Our department is currently staffed with four full time police officers plus a police chief and a part time clerk. It is unusual to drive or walk through Jacksonville at any time of day or night and not see one of our black cars or one of the newer (to us) blue SUV’s. I wish to congratulate Chief Hannum not only for hiring a staff of young and energetic officers but also for his efforts to engage in community policing.

Recently those of us who use Facebook have noted the Department’s publication of a weekly JPD Activity Log describing the kinds of calls to which our officers respond. While confidential information is being safeguarded, the logs provide us a window into our officers’ daily activities. This kind of transparency is a welcome addition bringing us insight into the community as a whole. The department is currently exploring a way to bring these logs to those who do not participate on social media.

Community policing is about much more than transparency; it is also about finding ways for the police and the community to work together to promote a collaborative partnership to promote public safety. In addition to their regular patrol and investigative duties, Jacksonville Police officers have been spearheading several programs to engage the community. One program features regular meetings with residents of Royal Mobile Estates and Pioneer Village to bring them a heightened awareness of fraud and scams that are so prevalent today. Our police department will be hosting a forum on this topic for the entire community later this month at City Hall. Another development is the addition of bike patrols on local trails thanks to a generous donation of e-bikes from the Jacksonville Woodlands Association. As we move into spring and summer, trail usage picks up significantly. These bike patrols will increase law enforcement visibility as well as safety on the many trails throughout the area.

The business community in our city is also being brought into a stronger partnership with JPD through the BAND app, a shared communication link. Here pertinent information that affects our businesses can be readily and quickly shared. The goal is to have all our local businesses participate in the program. An additional highlight in community policing will focus on youth in Jacksonville. Officer Kaden Johnson has always had a passion for mentoring, and he has initiated Jacksonville Outreach and Inspiration Network (JOIN), a teen outreach program hosted monthly as a way of bridging the gap between the law enforcement community and local young people.

Another exciting development is that Jacksonville Police Department will be participating in National Night Out, an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our communities safer, more caring places to live. Millions of Americans take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all 50 states. The annual event will feature food, games, informational handouts and the opportunity for the public to connect more closely with local first responders.

I am confident you will join me in applauding the efforts in community policing that the Jacksonville Police department has embraced. I salute the entire department’s commitment to not only public safety but to community involvement and education.

In a future article I hope to highlight some of the extraordinary achievements taking place in other City departments. Stay tuned…

Andrea Thompson is Jacksonville City Council President.