JM Audits

North-Central Florida Police Accountability: Nature Coast to St. Augustine

Police accountability and transparent government matter in every Florida community—from the rural towns of the Nature Coast to Gainesville, Ocala, Palm Coast and historic St. Augustine. JM Audits documents civil-rights concerns, First Amendment issues, public-records disputes and possible government misconduct so the public can see what happened and ask informed questions.

This regional resource covers Levy, Alachua, Marion, Putnam, Flagler and St. Johns counties. If you were unlawfully detained, subjected to excessive force, retaliated against for recording in public, denied access to public records or otherwise mistreated by police or another government agency, share your story with JM Audits.

Communities We Cover

Levy County: Bronson, Chiefland, Williston and Cedar Key

Residents and visitors may interact with municipal police departments, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, public schools, code enforcement and county agencies. Public-records access, respectful treatment and the right to document public officials are important whether an incident happens in a busy commercial area or a small coastal community.

Alachua County: Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry and High Springs

Gainesville is a major university city with frequent public demonstrations, traffic stops and interactions involving city, county and campus agencies. People should be able to exercise protected speech, record matters of public interest from lawful locations and request public information without retaliation.

Marion County: Ocala, Belleview, Dunnellon and McIntosh

From Ocala’s growing urban center to smaller Marion County towns, transparent policing builds public trust. Body-camera video, dispatch records, incident reports and agency policies can help the public understand disputed encounters and compare official statements with available evidence.

Putnam County: Palatka, Interlachen, Crescent City and Welaka

Accountability should not depend on population size. People in Putnam County deserve fair treatment, accessible public records and a meaningful way to raise concerns about law enforcement or other public agencies. Detailed firsthand accounts can bring attention to patterns that might otherwise remain unseen.

Flagler County: Palm Coast, Bunnell, Flagler Beach and Beverly Beach

Rapid growth and busy coastal areas create many points of contact with local government. Encounters involving traffic enforcement, public beaches, protests, photography or municipal services deserve accurate documentation and careful review when citizens believe their rights were ignored.

St. Johns County: St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach and Hastings

St. Johns County combines historic public spaces, tourism, residential growth and active civic debate. The First Amendment protects speech, press and peaceful assembly, while Florida’s public-records framework gives residents important tools for examining how government conducts public business.

What to Send JM Audits

A clear, factual submission helps us evaluate a story. Please include:

  • The city, county, agency and approximate location
  • The date and time of the incident
  • A brief timeline of what happened
  • Names or badge numbers, if known
  • Video, photos, reports, public-records responses or case numbers
  • A reliable way to contact you for follow-up

Keep original files whenever possible and do not edit away timestamps or surrounding context. You can also use the secure JM Audits video-submission form for larger footage.

Share Your Story

Use the form below to contact JM Audits. Focus on facts you personally witnessed and tell us whether the matter is ongoing, whether charges are pending and whether any agency has already responded.

You may also visit the main contact page. For North Florida coverage farther west and north, see our Panhandle-to-Jacksonville police accountability resource.

Important: JM Audits is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services. Legal deadlines can be short, so consider speaking promptly with a qualified Florida attorney. Sending information does not guarantee publication or create an attorney-client relationship.