Just days after six people were shot within a mile of Jacksonville’s football stadium, the sheriff said he’s boosting manpower for Saturday’s Georgia-Florida game.
“More than 600 police will be assigned on game day to secure not only the venue, but the larger footprint of downtown and into the surrounding neighborhoods including those on the other side of the river,” Sheriff Mike Williams said on Facebook.
The shooting happened just before the start of the Jacksonville-Houston NFL game on Sunday. Three people suffered life-threatening injuries, the Florida Times-Union reported.
Georgia and Florida renew their heated rivalry, a longtime Jacksonville tradition, Saturday in a nationally televised game at 3:30 p.m.
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“We will have special resources staged and ready for rapid deployment if needed,” the sheriff said. “Additionally, we are bringing in additional lighting systems to set up along the main thoroughfares.”
The shooting happened where many fans park before a home game, according to the newspaper.
“We are all committed,” the sheriff said, “to ensuring that Jacksonville residents and visitors enjoy this annual celebration.”
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