Jacksonville Sheriff Candidate: Mike Williams

Occupation: Sheriff – Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida

Education: Bachelor's Degree (Liberty University)

Political Experience: Elected to serve as Sheriff of Duval County in 2015. Currently in office.

Campaign Website: www.SheriffMikeWilliams.com

What are the biggest issues facing the citizens of Duval County?
While the citizens of Jacksonville have shared with me that they feel safe in their own neighborhoods, they also understand that there is a criminal element within our city that has been driving violent crime with activities primarily related to street culture drug-trade. This relatively small portion of our population operates within a violent cycle of victimizing itself over and over again. This is a community concern and one that will take a community solution. I applaud the organizations that have joined JSO in this shared effort to end the violence.  All of this provides a sense of cautious optimism. We have to maintain focus on the work and the progress by managing expectations.

Another issue worth addressing is not a negative one, but rather one of opportunity. Jacksonville as a city is in an advantageous position because of the cooperative and intentional partnerships forged amongst city leadership. I cannot say enough about the support and commitment the Mayor and City Council have demonstrated to JSO and to public safety both through investment in necessary resources such as more officers as well as better crime fighting tools. Other key stakeholders such as the State Attorney and Public Defender work with JSO in efforts of diversion and intervention. Prevention programs like PAL, KHA and Boys & Girls Club and others work. They are an investment in the future of our city.  They are helping to keep kids off the street corners so they never meet a gang member, never meet a drug dealer and never take that path.

If you secure a victory, what are your primary goals for your term in office?
The men and women of JSO are showing that we can find the criminals and arrest them when they commit crimes, but that is simply addressing the SYMPTOMS, not the ROOT CAUSE.  I will continue into my next term to charge our officers to deliver more of what has been working:

• We will focus on the gang, drug and violent criminals in those areas of town hit hardest by their very presence. We know these folks are a small part of our population, but the large part of the problem;
• We will carry out a targeted campaign to get illegal guns off our streets;
• And we will continue to strengthen our partnerships with every neighbor in every neighborhood.

And the key ingredients to this effort will be THE COMMUNITY and THE TOOLS.  Too often our officers speak to residents who want to feel safer in their neighborhoods. Intervening in potentially violent situations with active community partners is proving to be effective. The vast number of tips that come in every day, is the proof that our citizens are in this fight WITH us.  Our expanded technological tools of ShotSpotter, NIBIN, and the upcoming Real Time Crime Center will continue to deliver the focused intelligence that will equip our officers to be where the violence is happening.

As recent weeks have showed us, we will have bad days, but we cannot let that derail us. We know what works and we must stay focused on that.   And measure our progress in lives saved.

What makes you the best candidate to help the citizens of Duval County?
My career path of being able to work through all levels of the agency - from my time as a beat patrolman, to SWAT Commander, to Chief and then Director, ultimately culminating as the citizen's choice as our city's fifth elected Sheriff has given me the breadth of experience and responsibility to effectively continue to serve Jacksonville.

When the citizens elected me in 2015, I made the pledge to them that I would commit to the following priorities: 
Reduce violent crime
Engage with the community
Expand public trust through transparency
Be lean and efficient with JSO resources

I am extremely proud of the gains we have made within the agency and more importantly, within the community. The numbers from 2017 to 2018 show us that murders and violent crime is down city-wide. And other numbers in the Zones and city-wide are trending in the right direction. While it is too soon to tell, a balanced set of programs and community partnerships is starting to make a difference.

Would you support the privatization of JEA?
This issue is not within the parameters of the constitutional office that the Sheriff holds.

What is the last book you read?
"Finding Ultra" by Rich Roll