Gainesville City Commission Addresses Crime Rates, Protest Management, and Filling Commission Vacancies

GPD Chief Moya discusses crime data, gunshot detection pilot, and handling of recent protest, while Commission votes to change how vacancies are filled.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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At a recent Gainesville City Commission meeting, GPD Chief Nelson Moya presented crime data showing an overall decrease in crime rates, but a 68% increase in rape cases. Moya also discussed GPD's management of a recent protest that closed a portion of University Avenue, saying they made concessions to allow the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights while maintaining public safety. The Commission also voted to move forward with a proposal to allow the Commission to appoint a member to fill any vacancy until the next election, rather than having the Governor make the appointment.

Why it matters

The crime data and protest management updates provide insight into public safety concerns in Gainesville, while the decision on filling Commission vacancies locally reflects the city's desire to maintain local control over its governance.

The details

Chief Moya presented GPD's quarterly crime data, which showed an overall 16% drop in incidents, but a 68% increase in rape cases. Moya attributed some of the increase to improved reporting mechanisms. GPD is also partnering with UF and others on a gunshot detection pilot program to quickly alert law enforcement to gunshots. Regarding the January 30 protest that closed parts of University Avenue, Moya said GPD made concessions to allow the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights, while maintaining public safety. The Commission also voted 6-0 to direct the City Attorney to draft a Charter revision that would allow the Commission to appoint a member to fill any vacancy until the next election, rather than having the Governor make the appointment.

  • The February 5 Gainesville City Commission meeting included updates on crime data and protest management.
  • The Commission voted on February 5 to move forward with a proposal to change how City Commission vacancies are filled.
  • Station 9 is expected to break ground in May/June 2026 near HCA Florida North Florida Hospital.

The players

Nelson Moya

Chief of the Gainesville Police Department, who presented updates on crime data and protest management.

Bryan Eastman

Gainesville City Commissioner who proposed the change to how Commission vacancies are filled.

Cynthia Chestnut

Gainesville City Commissioner who seconded the motion to change how Commission vacancies are filled.

Daniel Nee

Gainesville City Attorney who provided information on the current Charter provisions for filling Commission vacancies.

Harvey Ward

Mayor of Gainesville, who commended GPD's handling of the recent protest.

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What they’re saying

“We, too, see the news, … and we watch it carefully because we often learn from what we see. In fact, it reinforces our protocols, our training mandates. And so, the message is: in this community as we move forward, this organization, along with our local partners, are going to protect our community. Despite the delivery of the laws and ordinances, whether they're state or local or federal, our mandate will and shall always be to protect our community.”

— Nelson Moya, Chief, Gainesville Police Department (alachuachronicle.com)

“I can't commend you enough… I've had nothing but good comments from the community. I actually had a person reach out and say, 'I really wanted to be mad at GPD, but I'm so glad they were there.' This is a community that expresses its First Amendment rights pretty regularly and with aplomb, and there is a way to react to that that keeps everyone safe and respects everyone's rights, and the business of the community goes on the way that it does, and that could go sideways easily, but it has not in Gainesville because our public safety professionals… take our rights very, very seriously.”

— Harvey Ward, Mayor of Gainesville (alachuachronicle.com)

What’s next

The Gainesville City Attorney will return with proposed language for a Charter revision that would allow the City Commission to appoint a member to fill any vacancy until the next election.

The takeaway

Gainesville is balancing public safety concerns, including rising crime rates and the need to manage protests, while also seeking to maintain local control over its governance by changing how Commission vacancies are filled. The city's public safety professionals are working to protect the community while respecting residents' First Amendment rights.