Peyton Plans to Fight Crime with No New Taxes

Armed with recommendations of The Jacksonville Journey committees, Mayor John Peyton vows to fight crime with no new taxes. His proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, to be announced July 14, will include one of the largest public safety public safety investments in the River City's history, but it won't cost taxpayers a dime extra, he says.

It's a tall order, for sure. Jacksonville's violent crime rate saw a 12-percent boost in 2007 over 2006, setting off a firestorm of public criticism and a county-wide, collective call for solutions. But today's tight economy makes any new or increased public spending a topic of heated debate as well.

"Ultimately, I've made the decision to do what every family and business in this community is doing: tighten our belt, prioritize spending and work to get as much value as possible for every cent in order to fund this public safety investment without raising taxes," Peyton said at a media conference.

Much of the plan will be based on work by committees of The Jacksonville Journey, a largely faith-based initiative to study crime in Jacksonville's hardest-hit communities and recommend workable solutions. Though dozens of recommendations resulted, Peyton will work with public safety officials and others to craft a plan that focuses on three major priorities:

Increasing the number of police officers in neighborhoods;

Keeping youth busy and off the streets in after-school facilities, summer programs, and, where appropriate, suspension centers;

And providing ex-offenders with opportunities to become contributing members of society rather than returning to a life of crime.

Rather than levy new taxes, Peyton says city officials found funding for new public safety initiatives within the current budget through expense reductions and other financial innovations. He'll announce details of the city's next fiscal budget to the Jacksonville City Council July 14.