This past Memorial Day Weekend, the High Springs Police Department, in collaboration with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Alachua Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol, successfully executed a proactive policing operation to ensure the safety of our community and visitors.
We are pleased to report a noticeable reduction in traffic volume, which we attribute to the capacity restrictions implemented by Ginnie Springs and the coordinated efforts of a safety committee led by the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. Their involvement played a crucial role in creating a safer environment throughout the region.
The most significant incident over the weekend was the arrest of Adam Joseph Webb, a convicted felon, who was apprehended by the Florida Highway Patrol with support from HSPD. Webb was found in possession of an illegal firearm and was reportedly en route to Ginnie Springs. This arrest is especially alarming, given Webb’s violent criminal history.
Last year, Webb was arrested in High Springs for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, after he allegedly chased a woman from Alachua to High Springs, fired a gun into the air during a confrontation with her father, and fled the scene. He was also charged at the time with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
We firmly believe that had Webb made it to the Springs this year with a firearm, the outcome could have mirrored the tragic violence we witnessed last Memorial Weekend, when multiple people were shot over the course of two days and innocent lives were lost.
Thanks to the strong partnerships and proactive policing strategies, this year’s operation was a success—with no major violent incidents, no DUI arrests, and no traffic crashes within the City of High Springs.
As we plan for next year, we will continue to assess our enforcement posture. If the downward trend in visitor volume continues, we will adjust our public safety strategy accordingly—without ever compromising the safety of our residents or guests. We thank our law enforcement partners and the community for their continued support.
Stay safe,
Chief Antoine Sheppard - High Springs Police Department