JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville Beach is preparing for thousands of people to be out at the beach this Fourth of July, and safety is top of mind for many after shootings on two holidays earlier this year.
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman said the Jacksonville Beach Police Department will be out in full force on the Fourth of July. They will be setting up a command center and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will help direct traffic.
"Our police department is really well familiar with how to plan ahead, how to anticipate the crowds. We will have a command center open at our police department and we will be fully staffed out on the beach side as well as throughout the city," Hoffman explained.
Hoffman said the main concerns are traffic, missing kids and preservation of dunes.
She said people will need to be patient when coming to the beach and leaving the beach after the fireworks show since everyone will be trying to get home all at once. Lifeguards and police officers also receive a lot of calls of missing kids with so many people expected on the beach.
"If they're out on the beach, keep an eye on their kids. That's a really common call that we get is missing children or found children, missing parents," Hoffman said.
The dunes are currently roped up and signs are posted to ensure people stay off the dunes. Hoffman said they do not want anyone walking on them and undoing all the progress made during the beach restoration project.
First Coast News asked Hoffman about residents' safety concerns following the recent shootings in Jacksonville Beach. Hoffman encouraged everyone to stay aware of their surroundings and look after one another.
"We will be able to manage the Fourth of July crowds and festivities while also maintaining our services in our neighborhoods and throughout the city. Everyone can help us help you by keeping an eye on your kids, keeping an eye on yourself, your groups and if you see anything out of the ordinary to please let us know," Hoffman said.
The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. on July 4. The pier will be closed on July 3 and July 4 to prepare for the show.