Jacksonville’s Cure Violence Program Shut Down Over Mismanagement Allegations
Jacksonville, Florida — A recent investigation has shed light on the abrupt termination of the Cure Violence initiative in the Moncrief area, revealing serious concerns about management and financial practices within the program. The report, released by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on Thursday, points fingers at the organization running the program, Bridges to the Cure, for handling funds in a questionable manner and highlights a lack of oversight from city officials.
What Happened?
The OIG investigation identified severe transparency issues within Bridges to the Cure, the group responsible for administering the Cure Violence program. It was revealed that there were attempts to award $10,000 bonuses to two of the program’s leaders. However, these bonuses were rejected by city employees in a grants and contract compliance office, which led to escalating tensions between the city and the organization. As a result of ongoing issues, including problems with the group’s monthly invoices, the city decided to terminate their contract with Bridges to the Cure.
When Did This Occur?
The situation escalated to a tipping point shortly after the rejected bonus attempts and continued invoicing issues, which ultimately led to the program’s cancellation. The report, while critical of past actions, does not address the overall effectiveness of the program in reducing violence in the area.
Why Was the Program Canceled?
The report highlighted “serious issues” regarding not only the handling of funds but also transparency and cooperation with the city. It accused Bridges to the Cure of a lack of proper record-keeping, which, combined with insufficient city oversight—like failing to review invoices or carry out site visits—created an environment ripe for mismanagement. This misstep was significant enough for city workers to push back against the leadership, signaling that their trust in the program had dwindled.
Reactions and Future Plans
First Coast News attempted to contact representatives from Bridges to the Cure for clarification but received no response. Meanwhile, community members like Kim Varner, who previously worked with the program, expressed their frustrations. Varner, who has personal ties to the issue due to losing a son to violence, commented on the need for community-driven programs, stating, “The program will work if you get out there and hit the streets and do what you’re supposed to do.”
Moreover, the office of Mayor Donna Deegan acknowledged in a statement that the actions that led to the program’s termination happened before her term. The mayor’s office praised the findings of the OIG report as fair and necessary, emphasizing the need for improved accountability in future initiatives aimed at curbing violence.
What’s Next for Jacksonville?
In response to the program’s failure, the city is now focusing on revamping the Jacksonville Journey Forward program, a new version of an anti-violence initiative that had previously gained some credit for reducing violence in the area. Mayor Deegan’s office noted their commitment to ensuring better controls and transparency in future programs, stating that these principles are “fundamental” to her administration.
As Jacksonville moves forward, community leaders and citizens are looking for effective solutions to address the ongoing issues of violence in the area, emphasizing the critical need for programs that are both well-managed and community-oriented.
