1. Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves this morning opened his weekly presser with Police Chief Eric Randell addressing the recent shootings and the wave of antisemitic vandalism.
- I asked Chief Randall about the rumored connection between the July 20 shooting on Creighton Road and July 29 shooting on Olive Road:
“Based on the information we continue to receive, there is a possible connection. I say possible connection, because as you know, with any of these investigations can turn on a dime based on the information that you get.”
- The chief had a message for those vandalizing the Jewish synagogues:
“My message to the person or persons involved is we’re going to find you…We’re using every tool in our toolbox to find the person or person’s responsible, and when we will use every aspect of the law to prosecute the individual or individuals involved.”
2. At the District 1 town hall last week, citizens questioned the wide difference in traffic counts on Summit Boulevard between the 2019 FDOT survey and one does recently. Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier said on my radio show this morning that she would like city staff to examine the differences.
- Mayor Reeves said he is waiting out city’s public works team to get all of the data and feedback back from those public input sessions held about the future of Summit Boulevard.
“I believe it’s scheduled for next week that I’m meeting with them to see basically what the downloads from the two meetings, but also remember converging in this right now is we have an active transportation plan that was upwards of $200,000 that was paid for and started well over a year ago that addresses these issues, not just on one street, but also all over the city.”
- He plans to examine what is the greatest need of investment to creating an active transportation plan? Where are we having the most fatalities, the most injuries, the most issues, etc. before making any decisions on Summit or Ninth Avenue or anywhere else.
3. Since the homeless camp in the Brent area has been evacuated, I have notice more people sleeping on the sidewalks and doorways along South Palafox Street -this morning’s count was 10. Mayor Reeves said he has received more emails. He said he has an upcoming meeting scheduled with county officials to discuss long-term solutions.
“At the end of the day, we’ve got to provide the places for people to go…Enforcement of our rules and ordinances becomes much easier when we have the avenue of saying, ‘Hey, you know, there’s somewhere for you to go.’ And without a low shelter, I don’t know that we can all truly say that yet.”