National Guard Patrols Florida Highway Hit by Sniper Attacks

The National Guard, using Humvees and helicopters, began patrolling Interstate 295 on Friday to assure motorists that the Jacksonville bypass is safe despite repeated sniper attacks.

The patrols started with the winter tourist season approaching and two days after the American Automobile Assn. and the state visitors’ bureau warned motorists to avoid the highway.

“We are going to be very visible out there,” Sheriff Jim McMillan said. “We want to make sure that people in this community feel they’re safe and the people that are visiting our state feel like they are safe.”

Investigators believe that several gangs may be involved, McMillan said, listing names such as the English Estate Posse, Nation of Chaos and the Dog Jaw Posse.

Gov. Lawton Chiles signed an order authorizing the state National Guard to work with the state Highway Patrol and the sheriff’s office in the northern Florida city to watch the highway and overpasses.

The governor’s office wants tourists to know “we are doing everything we can,” said Tim Moore, commissioner of the state Department of Law Enforcement. “These terroristic types of attacks will come to an end. We have a public duty to keep things in bounds as much as we can and not to over-alarm the public.”

Since February, at least three dozen sniper and rock-throwing attacks have resulted in one death and several injuries. The 20-mile beltway around the city’s downtown area carries 80,000 vehicles a day and is an alternate for often-congested Interstate 95.

State Transportation Department officials said two overpasses have been fenced and new lights installed as deterrents.

As many as 30 Guardsmen in Humvees and helicopters with infrared night-vision devices will patrol the bypass. They will not carry weapons and will not have arrest powers but can detain suspects for police, said Brig. Gen. Richard Capps, an assistant adjutant general.

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce announced that it has received pledges of $33,000 for rewards for information leading to convictions.