The Pearl DARTed by COJ / JSO

[urbanjacksonville]

On the eve of TSI reopening from it’s DARTiness, another urban core nighttime institution is DARTed by the city. I don’t have very many details at this point, just a photo above from an Urban Jacksonville reader. The City really is trying to kill itself! With the impending downtown parking legislation and now this I don’t know WTF they are thinking.

http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2008/09/12/another-one-bites-the-dust-the-pearl-darted-by-cojjso/

[BridgeTroll]

And yet the crack whores and dealers are free to roam at night... It must be so much easier to target one specific building...

[fsujax]

this makes no sense to me. as a residnet of Springfield, I actually like seeing the Pearl bring people to the neighborhood. Even though I have never been there, I have no problem with them. With all the other issues we still have in the neighborhood, this blows my mind! what is wrong with our City?

[copperfiend]

I was going tomorrow too. Maybe somebody was working in the lighthouse and caught people having a good time in close relation to their property.

[77danj7]

Unbelievable! 

[Lunican]

So I guess this makes it clear that the DART program is being misused.

[Lunican]

Community Affairs
DART Program

The Jacksonville "Drug Abatement Response Team (DART) was established to combat illegal drugs in Jacksonville by supplementing the traditional approach to solving the drug problem.  This program is a partnership between the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and numerous governmental agencies to focus on the property where drug activity flourishes. By working with landlords/property owners, strategies are developed and resources are brought to bear to reduce drug activity.  Actions include bringing the property up to code, because blighted properties foster illegal activities.

For more information regarding this program, please contact
Police Officer Alfred Hooker phone: (904) 630-5954 or e-mail: Alfred Hooker
or Police Officer David Makauskas phone: (904) 630-7635 or e-mail: David Makauskas

[David]

That would explain the police parade @ 1st & main last night around 12:30. It truly seems like the city doesn't care at all about it's nightlife or non mainstream establishments. Shanty's blocked off by construction, 9th & main struggles to stay open, tsi was shutdown and now this.

What type of alleged drug use did they shut Pearl down for?

Why can't they "dart' freaking phillips hwy, where the real shit goes down.

[jason_contentdg]

That would explain the police parade @ 1st & main last night around 12:30. It truly seems like the city doesn't care at all about it's nightlife or non mainstream establishments. Shanty's blocked off by construction, 9th & main struggles to stay open, tsi was shutdown and now this.

What type of alleged drug use did they shut Pearl down for?

Why can't they "dart' freaking phillips hwy, where the real shit goes down.

Well Phillips is out of their jurisdiction. And by "their", I mean FBC's. 

[Driven1]

Well Phillips is out of their jurisdiction. And by "their", I mean FBC's. 

I highly doubt it.  FBC is far from there.  Probably some local (meaning "actually close to the Pearl") residential owners.  But - I'm probably wrong.  You have proof that it was FBC, right?

[jason_contentdg]

Well Phillips is out of their jurisdiction. And by "their", I mean FBC's. 

I highly doubt it.  FBC is far from there.  Probably some local (meaning "actually close to the Pearl") residential owners.  But - I'm probably wrong.  You have proof that it was FBC, right?

Of course not...and no I have no proof at all of FBC ever doing anything to hinder the progress of downtown.  So obviously, they are innocent on all fronts.

[BridgeTroll]

to focus on the property where drug activity flourishes.

It did not at TSI nor did it at Pearl...

By working with landlords/property owners

Clearly they do not...

This is plain and simple... abuse of power.

[Lunican]

So what kind of drugs did they find at the Pearl? If it was another 'bust' like at TSI I think the person choosing the locations needs to be evaluated.

[fsujax]

Again, it always turns to blaming FBC....again another easy target. You know how many bars and other similar establishments were around FBC in Downtown Dallas, this is where the current pastor of FBC Jax came from. FBC Dallas, didnt seem to stifle or stop growth in Downtown Dallas. so lets stop blaming FBC Jax for Downtowns failures.  I believe it goesway beyound FBC.

[jason_contentdg]

Again, it always turns to blaming FBC....again another easy target. You know how many bars and other similar establishments were around FBC in Downtown Dallas, this is where the current pastor of FBC Jax came from. FBC Dallas, didnt seem to stifle or stop growth in Downtown Dallas. so lets stop blaming FBC Jax for Downtowns failures.  I believe it goesway beyound FBC.

Oh, I agree.  I was being sarcastic more than anything.  Would I be surprised if they are at least a little bit behind this, though?  No.

And it certainly does go way beyond FBC.  I'm just tired of taking one step forward and about 20 steps back.