JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Interfaith Coalition For Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment, otherwise known as 'ICARE' is having a public assembly Monday. They intend to garner solutions to address violent crime in Jacksonville.
ICARE leaders said they want the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to renew a contract with a research center that focuses on crime prevention, but the sheriff said that is not a part of his plan.
In 2016, JSO partnered under contract with the National Network for Safe Communities. ICARE leaders believe their work back then was effective in combating crime.
While the contract ended, Sheriff T.K. Waters said their partnership didn't. Waters argues that JSO hosted a group violence intervention conference with the organization last November.
However, as far as attending ICARE assemblies, Waters said he won't be attending future meetings because of his experience with them last year.
The sheriff told First Coast News: "The event did not provide an environment for constructive conversation, but rather was a staged display in which I was not permitted to fully answer questions beyond 'yes' or 'no' responses."
The public event will take place at the Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church at 6:45 p.m.