Identifying Local Opportunities/ 5A

1)      Entire K-9 Unit Suspended
An entire K-9 unit was suspended for excessively speeding at speeds over 100 mph to and from a competition they all attended over the weekend. More than five deputies were caught tampering with their dash cameras. During the seven hour one-way trip, deputies were also seen tailgating other vehicles on the road.
It can be inferred that the officers were excited about their competition and decided to have some fun on the interstate. Having all K-9 officers’ together “goofing off” lead to dangerous decisions and left the department without any remaining K-9 units. The Lakeland Police Department currently has no active K-9 officers on the street.

2)      Duke Energy customers could soon see rate hike
                Duke Energy customers may see rates increase by 8.5% in 2018 if Duke’s request for a rate increase to Florida Public Service Commission is approved. The company’s president explains the increase of rates is due to gas costs increasing but the company promises and prides itself for their superior customer service.
                The article describes an increase in energy costs for all customers. Families who are paying the increased rates will be the ones greatly affected. Because the utility industry is very monopolized, customers are stuck paying the higher rates.

3)      Residents gripe to Albemarle staff about transient lodging regulations
                People in Albemarle, NC are upset with the county’s handling of transient lodging regulations. The county is not making things clear to the residents and owners of these properties. In the article, it didn’t seem like the residents really cared about paying extra taxes and following regulation. Their frustration comes from the county not providing clear rules or requirements of these landlords or property owners.
                Renters and vacationers along with the owners of transient lodging properties are being negatively affected by this because they cannot go about business as they should. The county is also being negatively affected because the small businesses are not bringing the money and tourist business as they should be. This hurts the county economically.

4)      Irma aftermath: Line jumping at gas station leads to charge of battery
Ocala (and most of Florida) experienced a gas shortage before and after hurricane Irma struck Florida. Gas stations that had gas were identified by the long lines running out of the parking lot. Most people know the rule… if there’s a line, go to the back of it and wait until it is your turn. Rashad V. Johnson decided he didn’t want to follow the “rule” and skipped the line of people waiting for gas and pulled up to a pump. When an employee confronted Johnson, he refused to leave. The employee removed the gas handle from the car and spilled gas onto Johnson. Johnsons then assaulted the employee causing him to fall to the ground. Johnson was arrested for battery on persons older than 65.
This story describes several problems. The gas station’s shortage on gas, the jerk who doesn’t follow rules, and the assault on the store employee. However, I’d say the person with the biggest problem is Johnson because he was arrested and will be charged with battery. I think Mr. Johnson probably has a history of self-entitlement and anger issues which caused him to end up in jail.

5)      Thieves make off with $528 worth of laundry detergent
                Two guys steal 32 containers of laundry detergent from a discount store along with a Gatorade. The two men went into the store empty handed and pushed two carts filled with laundry detergent out of the building.

                The poor store owner is now out $528 of product because some jerks thought they could get away with (and probably will get away with) stealing things that they will probably sell in a garage sale. Who needs that much laundry detergent anyways? Whats really sad about this story is “their description wasn’t clear”. 

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