Mayor D.C. Reeves covered a wide range of topics at his Tuesday morning press conference, leading with crime statistics he called a point of pride before fielding questions.
Crime Down Across the Board
Reeves highlighted data from the city’s FIBRS (Florida Incident Based Reporting System) showing an overall 28.6% drop in crime from 2023 to 2025, with year-over-year decreases in both violent and property crime categories.
The numbers are significant:
- Violent crime: Down 25.4% over two years
- Property crime: Down 29.3%
- Thefts: Down 34.1%
- Grand theft auto: Down 38%
- Vehicle burglary: Down 20%
- Attempted homicides: Down 78.5%
- Robberies: Down 52%
- Aggravated battery: Down 21.8%
“We really don’t have anything if we don’t have a safe community,” Reeves said.
Asked what’s driving the decreases, the mayor pointed to two factors: culture and technology. He said Pensacola’s supportive relationship with law enforcement helps with recruitment and morale — something he said other mayors he speaks with struggle to replicate. He added that advances in technology have made it harder to get away with crime.
Park Hours Standardized Across 95 Parks
After the MLK Plaza discussion prompted questions about park hours, the city completed a comprehensive review of all 95 parks. The result: all parks will default to sunrise-to-sunset hours, with five exceptions that will remain open until 10 p.m.:
- Admiral Mason Park
- Community Maritime Park
- MLK Plaza
- Plaza Ferdinand
- Veterans Memorial Park
Additionally, several lighted sports facilities will stay open as posted, which is 10 p.m. in most instances: Blake Doyle Skate Park, Bayview Tennis Courts, H.K. Matthews Basketball Courts, and Roger Scott Tennis Courts.
Scenic Highway Outfall Easement Headed to Council
An FDOT easement for a stormwater outfall at Scenic Highway is headed to the council on Thursday. Reeves said the easement should have been secured decades ago and simply fell through the cracks. He was clear that FDOT is currently working only within its own right-of-way and has not begun work on the city’s portion.
- “The pictures tell the story when you see the erosion that’s already happening,” Reeves said, noting that Council Member Jared Moore walked the site with FDOT and city staff.
Reeves said previous administrations would have simply granted the emergency access without bringing it to the council, but that he wanted to be transparent about the process.
Airport Runway Closure: $21 Million, 10 Months
The east-west runway at Pensacola International Airport has been closed for a $21 million improvement project expected to last about 10 months. Funding breaks down to $19 million from the FAA, $1 million from FDOT, and a local match from the airport’s capital budget.
- A concurrent $3 million stormwater project — with $1.5 million from Florida DEP — will take place during the runway work. Residents near the airport may notice increased truck traffic on Jerry Maygarden Drive, Spanish Trail and Langley Avenue as materials are hauled off.
Historic East Hill Home Demolition: Mayor Says Hands Are Tied
Reeves addressed the planned demolition of the Fairnie Hill property at 1182 East Lakeview Avenue, which can accommodate five new lots without requiring a subdivision plat. He said he’s disappointed but legally powerless to stop it.
- “You only get historic character once. You can’t really rebuild it,” Reeves said.
Under state law, the Architectural Review Board can only delay demolition up to 60 days, and local governments must approve or deny a demolition application within 120 days. Reeves said there is no legal authority for the mayor or council to prevent demolition once review requirements are satisfied.
- “Any presumption or assumption that sits on my desk to approve or disagree is just not the case,” Reeves said. The ARB is scheduled to review the matter on February 19.
Economic Development Director Departs
Erica Grancagnolo, the city’s economic development director, had her last day on January 30. Reeves praised her three-year tenure and said the position will be posted imminently. He said the city intends to continue the model of combining CRA leadership with economic development, noting that very few large-scale economic development projects don’t involve a CRA, given their geographic footprint.
Land Development Code Open House Feb. 17
The third and final open house on the city’s land development code overhaul is scheduled for 3–6 p.m. on February 17 at City Hall. Reeves noted this is the first comprehensive revision since the city’s original zoning ordinance was adopted in 1947. He hopes to bring it to the council later this year.