Larger-than-average crowds are expected at the Beaches throughout the July 4 weekend. In Jacksonville Beach, police Cmdr. Thomas Crumley said planning for the holiday begins months in advance.
“It’s been on our radar since February,” he said. “Just trying to forecast the 250th celebration and paying attention to what’s going on in the country and going on in the world. Is it an everyday thing? No, but the planning process starts months in advance.”
Fireworks will launch from the pier at 504 1st St. N. at 9 p.m., with a “test” shot at 8:45 p.m. The pier will be closed starting at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 2, in preparation for the event, the pier parking lot will be closed to vehicles all day July 4th.
Neptune Beach will also implement significant traffic restrictions and road closures to manage high pedestrian and bicycle traffic, particularly around 1st Street and the Beaches Town Center.
All vehicle traffic is prohibited on 1st Street from Florida Boulevard to Seagate Avenue July 4, with road barricades enforced. No parking is allowed on 1st Street from 10 p.m. July 3 to 7 a.m. July 5, and 1st Street is restricted to local traffic and residents only from Cherry Street to North Street from July 3 to July 5.
Crumley said local agencies are vying for specialized equipment through the county’s Emergency Operations Center. Mutual aid assignments are also distributed throughout the region based on the number and size of event sites.
“This year, [the city of Jacksonville] went down to two sites and they have a lot bigger footprint with bridges that create showers of sparks,” he said. “They have different needs they need to secure. We’re pretty lucky in that we can secure the pier parking lot to keep people out.”
With celebrations planned for the country’s 250th anniversary, Crumley anticipates a longer display, which is expected to draw bigger crowds than in previous years. That will result in more traffic.
“A lot of people don’t think about it but there are only so many ways out. The sheriff’s office has 100 officers assigned just to help us get traffic cleared out,” he said of the officers who will ensure lights are synced to keep traffic flowing west from Mayport to J. Turner Butler Boulevard.
Local agencies will also keep a sharp eye out for any “bad actors” during the weekend with a zero-tolerance policy on illegal fireworks, public intoxication or any disorderly conduct that creates a public safety risk.
“Nobody knows where bad things could happen. It’s really compact on the beach during high tide so realistically it will be so crowded. There will be a lot of burns. Kids don’t know what they don’t know,” Crumley said. “There will be no shortage of parties through the neighborhoods that will start Friday and last through the weekend.”
Jacksonville Beach Police will call on reserves to ensure there’s full coverage through Sunday, July 5. The department recently filled the last two full-time positions, “so we’re in good shape,” Crumley said.
“It’s a big lift for us. That’s why we urge no special events the week before and the week after July 4 because it’s so labor-intensive,” Crumley said. “It’s a major overtime consumption but we are fully bolstered. I think we will be good. It’s really cool to see all the kids and the families having a good time and it’s awesome for the community.”
