Published: May 06, 2008 11:06 am            

JPD: Park returning to normal

By Kelly Young

kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com

After conducting a saturation patrol through Lincoln Park for the second Sunday afternoon in a row, Jacksonville Police Department reports things there are returning to normal.

The increased law enforcement presence at the park last weekend caused troublemakers and innocent park-goers alike to avoid the area; with only a small handful of people visiting the park on Sunday afternoon. Detective Travis Cearley said the scene at the park this Sunday was much more lively.

“There was a lot more activity at the park this weekend as compared to last Sunday, but there hasn’t been any trouble there since we let it be known that we would be having a presence there,” he said. “It is intended as a family place where people can go and have fun — without having to worry about fights and shootings and any kind of illegal activities — and that’s how we want it to be again.”

JPD was also dispatched to the Little Creek Apartments on Sunday afternoon in reference to an alleged aggravated assault. Officers made contact with the victim at the scene, who claimed she was approached by two women while trying to move out of her apartment and was attacked with a flashlight by one of them.

“According to the resident, she was moving items from her apartment when two white females approached her and started questioning her about narcotics activity,” Cearley said. “The victim told the women that she didn’t have anything to do with illegal narcotics, and that that was part of the reason why she was moving.”

One of the alleged suspects, who police later identified as Christina Bird, reportedly then began swearing at the victim before leaving the scene. She later returned and resumed swearing at the resident again.

“The two of them started arguing, and a fight ensued. During the fight, the suspect produced a metal 3D flashlight and struck the victim in the head with it, knocking her unconscious. Some witnesses observed at least part of the assault, and were able to chase off the suspect,” Cearley said.

According to Cearley, Bird has been repeatedly arrested by the department for offenses ranging from public intoxication to criminal trespassing to possession of a controlled substance. JPD is investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made at this time.

The 53-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital where she was treated for her injuries and released.

        

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