CITIZENS FOR A SAFER JACKSONVILLE: TOWN HALL MEETING

Jacksonville Review – May 2026 

THERE WILL BE A TOWN HALL on Tuesday, May 19, from 5:30-6:30pm, in the Naversen Meeting Room at the Public Library, at 340 W. C Street. 

Organizers expect a good turnout with our new Police Chief, Matt Hannum, who will be on hand to answer any questions about the new changes to the JPD, including some you may have already seen! As many know, there is a new, weekly post on the JPD Facebook page, which includes many of the calls the department has recently responded to. Thanks to increased presence, the number of speeding incidents is being reported.
Additionally, we expect City Councilors, Andrea Thompson and Talon Reed, will be attending.  

The main purpose of the meeting is to provide residents with an opportunity to get their questions and concerns heard and addressed. We are kindly asking the public to listen to one another and be respectful during the Q & A session. Public discourse is critical to resolving misinformation and solving issues. We expect a lively and healthy discussion! 

Also, printed signs which say NO NEED FOR SPEED, will be available for sale for $7. Signs are intended to be placed on private property as a gentle reminder to all citizens to respect residents/seniors, pets, and the abundance of wildlife we all enjoy. 

The Citizens for a Safer Jacksonville looks forward to hosting this event.
For more information, please contact Cindy Rasmussen at Jvillesafety@gmail.com. 

Jacksonville Review – April 2026

GREETINGS TO ALL OUR NEIGHBORS! We are looking forward to welcoming Spring to our town, and it seems an appropriate time to provide everyone with an update of our 2026 goals and objectives, plans, and new ideas! With our new Police Chief, Matt Hannum, and a full staff of Police Officers, we are anticipating many new, creative ideas for increased collaboration and transparency in the coming months and years. Safety, AS ALWAYS, is in the forefront for the Police Department and our entire citizenry. Our mission is to work with our town leadership and the police to enhance pedestrian, biker and pet safety, as we build a place where we all care for and help our neighbors.

I hope you saw the column in the March Review from 15-year-old contributor Cora Campanella, who was in a very scary automobile accident recently, and who wrote about it in her article, ‘’SAFE DRIVING … PLEASE!” To quote her, “In a small town like Jacksonville, the roads don’t just belong to cars. They also belong to residents, families, and tourists exploring our historical town. The speed limit through Jacksonville has been a source of debate. However, slowing down gives you the extra seconds you may need to notice a child riding their bike, or another driver being reckless.”

I couldn’t have said it any better. This is why our work is so important.

Thank You, Cora, for reminding us of what is at stake when we are in a hurry, and we may not be paying attention.

Please Mark Your Calendars for a TOWN HALL MEETING on Tuesday, May 19, at the Jacksonville Library Naversen Room, from 5:30-6:30pm, to hear from YOU about concerns, suggestions, and about our plans to keep improving safety in town. Please join us for a productive discussion.

For more about Citizens for a Safer Jacksonville, contact Cindy Rasmussen at Jvillesafety@gmail.com, or 510-406-3954.