Safety concerns in downtown Jacksonville are driving away large local businesses

Citizens Property Insurance is one of the largest employers in downtown Jacksonville.

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The company has been located in the Everbank Center on Bay Street since 2015, but is looking to relocate more than 1,000 employees to the Southside.

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“I’m usually on the south side, it sounds crazy, but it’s the safe side,” said Jacksonville resident Teresa Smith.

But Action News Jax’s Annette Gutierrez has learned from multiple sources that Citizens is looking to relocate due to safety concerns regarding homeless people, including workers who have been threatened and harassed.

Last week, Citizens said only in part that it was looking to “negotiate with office space providers in Jacksonville that provide greater access during poor local weather conditions.”

ORIGINAL STORY: Citizens Insurance Company Considers Leaving Jacksonville Downtown

JSO calls for service to the Everbank Center address show that since 2021, the area has received more than 230 calls. It’s unclear how many are related to homeless people, but of those calls, about 25 were about a suspicious or demented person.

The city seems to recognize that security is an issue.

In an emailed statement, a city spokesperson said, “This speaks to the need to fully fund the comprehensive homeless plan we have put forward and proposed in the budget.”

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Smith said he had had issues with his safety here before.

“There are homeless people who are on drugs and may have mental issues or whatever. I mean, I had a run-in with one before, it was a little scary.

The city also said they are having discussions about potential municipal support opportunities that will keep the Citizens office downtown. Action News Jax reached out to Citizens, but they were unable to provide a statement at this time.

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