Tag Archives: Tony Jones

Gainesville Police Department Capt. Brian Helmerson submitted his resignation yesterday to Police Chief Tony Jones. Helmerson faced termination in November after an internal investigation found he had violated the city's rule against sexual harassment.

Police interaction with the community is a concern that extends past big cities. When the Rev. Milford Lewis Griner attended the “Right vs. Right” event Nov. 14, he learned useful information from law enforcement and community members that he could then share with his congregation and community. “(Open dialogue) can foster more trust …

At the Nov. 19 city commission meeting, a proposal was made to move the chief of police from answering to the city manager to answering directly to the city commission. City Commissioner Craig Carter said the police chief is presently under the city manager, and if the commission were to move him to a charter officer, would answer to the commission directly.

The Fest, a three-day punk music festival, will be held from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. It will take on the help of 443 volunteers to execute the festival's 14th year at multiple Gainesville venues.

Gainesville police officers arrested 21 men who made arrangements to meet with children for sex.

Gainesville City Commission passes a motion for the management of Dignity Village. The motion begins the process of addressing safety issues and concerns regarding the logistics of the community.

Both the number of residents and reported incidents have increased at Dignity Village. Gainesville Mayor Ed Braddy and local PBA Representative Lt. Mike Schibuola discussed the rise of safety concerns for the local homeless community at a meeting Tuesday.

A Gainesville Police Department recruitment video has raised concerns over how it portrays how the police interact with the community. The video included scenes of police officers making arrests, chasing suspects and weapons training.

While the Live Oak Police Department is getting body cameras for its officers to wear, other agencies in the area aren't as receptive. Privacy and cost are issues they want to look at.

The University of Florida and Gainesville police departments will hold at press conference at 2 p.m. today to address multiple assaults reported on or near the UF campus in the past two weeks.