Keeping Downtown Clean and Safe
Our Downtown Ambassadors provide extra eyes and ears on the street seven days a week. We work closely with the City of Jacksonville to clean and maintain our public realm and to report safety violations. We work closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to report nuisance and criminal activity. And, as Downtown’s hospitality team, we work with local businesses, attractions and Visit Jacksonville to make DTJax a more friendly and welcoming place.
Ambassador Hours
may vary due to special events
Monday – Wednesday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ambassador Services
Clean Division Services
- Remove litter
- Pressure wash and spot clean sidewalks
- Remove graffiti
- Identify and report hazards and property damage issues
- Remove weeds from sidewalks and tree beds.
Safety & Hospitality Division Services
- Provide directions, maps and parking information
- Provide Downtown event information
- Escort you to your destination
- Provide a safety presence and contact police or rescue during emergencies
- Report and/or resolve instances of nuisance activity (panhandling, loitering, etc.)
- Share a smile and a watchful eye
Social Services Outreach Division Services
- Connect homeless and transient individuals with local social service providers
- Transport persons in need to services
- Collect meaningful demographic and behavioral data
Property Maintenance Division Services
- Maintain streetscape and properties
- Fix building facades, information kiosks, trash cans and more
2020 Ambassador of the Year:
Johnny Duckett
Safety and Information in #DTJax
Don’t set yourself up to fall victim to a crime of opportunity.
- Lock and store your valuables out of sight.
- Never “flash your cash” in public.
- Remove name and security badges upon leaving your office.
- Politely but firmly say no to panhandlers. Give to social charities instead.
- Call JSO to report all suspicious activity and nuisance behaviors.
Help keep Downtown Safe:
- Report burned-out street lights
- Report broken sidewalks or unsecured, vacant buildings, to (904) 630-CITY (2489) or by submitting a Care Complaint
Stay in the know:
Sign up for our Downtown Information and Safety Alerts to receive period emails with street and bridge closures, building evacuations, safety concerns, construction and emergencies impacting the Downtown area.
Attend the Sheriff’s Watch Meetings
Join JSO officers and community members for monthly discussions about crime issues facing our neighborhoods and hear progress updates.
When: 3rd Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m.
Where: Main Library, 303 N. Laura St.
Helpful Phone Numbers
Safety escorts*
Downtown Ambassadors
904.465.7980
Non-emergencies
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
904.630.0500
Emergencies
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
911
(*During normal operating hours.)
Homeless Outreach Assistance
HOPE Team
904.394.8091 (limited hours)
Downtown Ambassadors Social Services Outreach Division
Doug Orange
646.689.2661
Whitney Hilliard
904.914.1662 (limited hours)
Safety hazards
City of Jacksonville CARE
904.630.CITY (2489)