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Ambassadors

Making Downtown Jacksonville Safer and Friendlier

Ready to give directions, answer questions, provide assistance, or walk you to your destination, the Downtown Ambassadors are Jacksonville's Downtown safety and hospitality team. 

Ambassadors are easily identified in their bright orange shirts and pith helmets as they walk and bike throughout Downtown Jacksonville, day and night. The Downtown Ambassadors began operation in October 2001, and have made a tremendous impact on Downtown Jacksonville.

Downtown Ambassadors are available to assist you Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The Ambassadors are an extra set of eyes and ears on the street, and work closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the city to improve Downtown Jacksonville.

10 Ways the Downtown Ambassadors Can Make Your Experience Downtown More Pleasant

  1. Provide you with useful directions and maps.
  2. Escort you to your destination.
  3. Help you locate a business or service.
  4. Call for medical assistance if you need it.
  5. Provide information on parking Downtown.
  6. Provide social services information to people in need.
  7. Identify and report hazards.
  8. Report cleanliness issues.
  9. Share a smile and a watchful eye.
  10. Contact the police if you need help.


 

Ambassador Annual Highlights

In an average year, the Downtown Ambassadors help make Downtown safer and friendlier.

Making Downtown Safer in 2008

  • Reported and/or resolved more than 2,500 instances of nuisance activity (panhandling, open container violations, etc.) in Downtown.
  • Provided more than 300 safety escorts to citizens visiting Downtown.
  • Informed more than 150 panhandlers about the City's panhandling ordinance, which states that panhandling is illegal in the Downtown Improvement District.
  • Informed citizens that were approached by panhandlers how to effectively handle the situation.
  • Provided a safety presence to more than 4,000 individuals daily as they walked to their destination during evening hours.
  • Established a routine reporting and resolution partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office that has resolved and prevented many safety issues.
  • Assisted more than 200 homeless individuals on where to find shelter services.
  • Eliminated Downtown urban campsites and bed-down areas by working with Downtown property owners, homeless centers, and homeless individuals.
  • Provided a watchful eye for thousands of individuals attending hundreds of Downtown events.

Making Downtown Friendlier in 2008

  • Provided assistance to more than 40,000 individuals. Here are some examples:
  • More than 12,000 individuals received Downtown event information.
  • More than 11,000 people received directional assistance.
  • More than 700 people were escorted with an umbrella when caught in a rainstorm.
  • More than 400 people were escorted to their destination when they were unsure where to go.
  • Found and returned  more than 90 lost items including prescription drugs, wallets, driver licenses, pay checks, credit cards, legal papers, social security cards, personal items, blue prints, building permits, and keys to very happy people.

To contact a Downtown Ambassador, dial (904) 465-7980.