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Jacksonville city councilwoman calls for shutdown of all internet cafes

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Leanna Cumber submitted a bill to shut down adult arcades, saying they pose a hazard to public health and safety.

The Jacksonville city council might continue cracking down on internet cafes.

You may be wondering why these establishments are still operating.

Many of them operate by offering games of skill, such as card games, rather than games of pure chance, such as slot machines.

The state shut down most of these stores working as fronts for illegal gambling in 2013. Opponents say they popped back up using a loophole.

Many people showed up to Tuesday's city council meeting wearing shirts saying "Save our jobs Jacksonville, save our arcades!"

In the amended ordinance, Jacksonville City Councilwoman Leanna Cumber wrote that the danger to the public and first responders addressing calls for service at internet cafes is too severe.

Last month, a security guard was shot and killed at the High Score Arcade at the corner of Commonwealth and Edgewood Avenue.

Tuesday—there are cars parked outside. It appears to be business as usual.

Thomas Dale says he tries to stay away from the crime in his neighborhood.

"To tell you the truth, I stay out of everyone's way…there's a lot of crime, I stay out of everyone's way," Dale said.

RELATED: Security guard killed during overnight robbery on the Westside

Dale lives three blocks away from the adult arcade.

Such arcades can be seen around Jacksonville.

Cumber submitted a bill saying there's a legitimate public purpose in eliminating all internet cafes in Jacksonville.

First Coast News reached out to Cumber for comment about why the bill was submitted and we're waiting to hear from her.

If it becomes law—internet cafes that operate within and outside the law would be shut down.

Dale thinks crime would continue whether the cafes are open or not.

"The police are doing their job, but God bless them, things have got to get better,” Dale said.

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