“The 904″: A Hard Look at Jax’s Crime Epidemic

May 29, 2010 Comments »

This past Thursday, the documentary “The 904,” produced by “First Coast Connect” host and producer Melissa Ross had its debut screening at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Melissa Ross on Making “The 904″ from Natalie Halpern on Vimeo.

Chronicling the stories of people whose lives have forever been changed by the city’s violent crime epidemic like shop owner Brian Martin, who was shot in the stomach and has had multiple surgeries to repair the damage to his colon, it’s a difficult film to watch.

Mary Goodman talks about the murder of her young son, DeJuan Graham, as she holds an urn with his ashes—struggling still to come to terms with his death.

One of the most moving parts of the documentary is Jacksonville Jaguar Richard Collier’s address during the trial of the man who shot him 14 times, leaving him paralyzed and robbing him of his dream of playing football.

As a newcomer to Jacksonville (I moved here two years ago from DC, once the nation’s murder capital), it’s disturbing to know that we’ve been the murder capital of Florida for the last 10 years.

Jacksonville has so many wonderful things going for it: a great quality of life created by the warmth and inclusiveness of its residents, a burgeoning local arts scene, a fantastic symphony, two of the best high schools in the country, and such natural beauty with its marshes, beaches and the scenic St. Johns River forming the backdrop for some of the city’s most charming neighborhoods.

Why is violent crime so rampant?

Like in many other cities socio-economic factors, a racial divide and inequity in education for the city’s poorest play a role. Melissa Ross’ film does a great job of addressing those factors, along with the lack of reentry programs for offenders who serve their sentence only to be sentenced again by society. Instead of achieving rehabilitation through gainful employment and other activities, they become repeat offenders.

Despite the tragedy it documents, the film also has a powerful message of hope.

Melissa Ross on The Biggest Lesson of the Film from Natalie Halpern on Vimeo.

“The 904” was directed by Frank Goodin II and filmed and edited by Bernardo Santana III.  The filmmakers plan to screen the documentary throughout the community and submit it to film festivals around the country.

Click here to learn more about the making of the film and watch a trailer.