Southside Is Violent Too (Jacksonville, Orange Park: 2014, apartment complex, violent crime)

[Northside904]

I've been saying this for the longest, that Southside has pockets of violence too: 32207, which covers the Phillips Hwy corridor. 32254-56. If we're really honest, Southside tries to hide it's violent crime because if it gets out that Southside can be just as deadly as Northside, NW and Westside, it'll drive residents away. There's been shootings at or near St. John's Town Center in recent years, and Mandarin is no stranger to murders & shootings So you see, Southside isn't the utopia that some Jacksonville residents paint it as. Sorry to burst people's bubble, but that's the way it is. Crime is ALL over Jacksonville, not just the ghetto even though the hood is disproportionately affected by violence.

https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20...s-violence-too

[BabyBoomers2]

Actually, you are absolutely right! There was a murder/suicide in the apartment complex we lived in off of Southside and Bel Rive. There were murders near Baymeadows and Phillips Hwy as well as murder at both McDonalds and Wendy's on Baymeadows. Atlantic Blvd at 295 has seen it's share of shooting/crime as well.

IOW, there is crime on the Southside, but not nearly as much as in Orange Park and the Northside.

There was lots of celebratory gunfire on both New Year's Eve and 4th of July nights.

When we first moved into the apartment, we were in for 10 1/2 years, we stopped at the Best Buy for something and a JSO Motor Officer told us that we picked one of the better apartment complexes in the Southside to live at.

But, when we moved in August 2019, we could tell that the crime was getting somewhat worse in the area. But, all-in-all, for the 10 1/2 years we lived there, the crime really wasn't too bad.

[Northside904]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

Actually, you are absolutely right! There was a murder/suicide in the apartment complex we lived in off of Southside and Bel Rive. There were murders near Baymeadows and Phillips Hwy as well as murder at both McDonalds and Wendy's on Baymeadows. Atlantic Blvd at 295 has seen it's share of shooting/crime as well.

IOW, there is crime on the Southside, but not nearly as much as in Orange Park and the Northside.

There was lots of celebratory gunfire on both New Year's Eve and 4th of July nights.

When we first moved into the apartment, we were in for 10 1/2 years, we stopped at the Best Buy for something and a JSO Motor Officer told us that we picked one of the better apartment complexes in the Southside to live at.

But, when we moved in August 2019, we could tell that the crime was getting somewhat worse in the area. But, all-in-all, for the 10 1/2 years we lived there, the crime really wasn't too bad.

Sometimes, criminals from the roughest parts of Jacksonville come to the Southside just to commit crime, then go back to the North & NW sides.

[Army_Guy]

Originally Posted by Northside904

Sometimes, criminals from the roughest parts of Jacksonville come to the Southside just to commit crime, then go back to the North & NW sides.

If I were a criminal, that's what I would do. People in the "safe" areas tend to let their guard down: poor situational awareness, unlocked cars, unlocked homes, etc. because "this is a safe area and crime doesn't happen here."

[mwalker96]

I heard the southside has some bad areas especially Emerson St. A guy from my church told me how crime-ridden the area has gotten over the years. Baymedows I heard are also pretty rough but still nice overall in terms of housing and quality of life. The Southside does a good job keeping a good image for soccer moms. Most Jacksonvillians usually consider the Northside the rough side of town.

[Florida2014]

Are there violent crimes all over the Jax area including the Southside? Yes. Does it compare on any level with the murders, shootings, robberies, etc. in the north side? Absolutely not.

Apples to hand grenades.

[roadtrip75]

Originally Posted by mwalker96

Baymedows I heard are also pretty rough but still nice overall in terms of housing and quality of life.

I remember when Baymeadows was a nice new clean suburban area. It seems like yesterday, but it also seems like a lifetime ago.

[Northside904]

Originally Posted by mwalker96

I heard the southside has some bad areas especially Emerson St. A guy from my church told me how crime-ridden the area has gotten over the years. Bay meadows I heard are also pretty rough but still nice overall in terms of housing and quality of life. The Southside does a good job keeping a good image for soccer moms. Most Jacksonvillians usually consider the Northside the rough side of town.

Emerson St. is definitely a rough area on the Southside, that’s part of the 32207 zip. It’s the Southside equivalent to the Moncrief area on the Northside. Baymeadows is generally a nice area, but it’s had crime incidents over the years. Dunn Ave. is the dividing line between the good & bad of Northside. North of 95/Dunn, Northside gets better; South of 95/Dunn, Northside gets hood.

Originally Posted by Florida2014

Are there violent crimes all over the Jax area including the Southside? Yes. Does it compare on any level with the murders, shootings, robberies, etc. in the north side? Absolutely not.

Apples to hand grenades.

Southside is about looking good to residents, investors, etc. by any means necessary, even if it means downplaying the crime over there. I get it, because crime isn’t as prevalent on the Southside as it is on the Northside. Southside crime is more opportunistic, violent crime on the Northside is drug related or personal vendetta.

[Lindell]

Since the JSO told you that you were in one of the better residential complexes, would you mind sharing which one that was?
Thanks!
Are you now in a safe place on the Northside?

[Northside904]

Originally Posted by Lindell

Since the JSO told you that you were in one of the better residential complexes, would you mind sharing which one that was?
Thanks!
Are you now in a safe place on the Northside?

If you're referring to me, I lived on the "notorious" Northside since childhood. I live in 32218 right now, but before I lived in 32208. 32208-32209 lead the city in violent crime year after year; those zips make up the Northside ghetto. Until River City opened up near the airport, Northsiders had to go to the Southside to do shopping.