Law and public safety

Though Florida’s amping up its efforts to shut down pill mills prescription drug abuse may become more of problem starting next year. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Chip Skambis spoke with the Director of non-profit organization Narconon, Mary Reester, about the potential problems that could come when patent protection on Oxycontin expires next year. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/ReesterQA.mp3]  

One more suspect in a large Marion County pill trafficking bust has been placed under arrest. WUFT-FM’s Lauren Rautenkranz says Operation “Blue Forest” brought an oxycodone operation near the Ocala National Forest to a halt. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/LAURENVOICER.mp3]

Multi-agency drug enforcement action has resulted in arrest warrants for 43 suspects.  On March 12-13 the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team, Multi Agency Drug Enforcement Team, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State Attorney’s Office capped an 11 month investigation known as “Blue Forest”.  The …

With an extensive coastline and rural area to monitor, the Levy County Sheriff’s office has created an Agriculture/Marine Unit to deal with growing Agriculture related crime.  Levy County Sheriff’s Office Major Evan Sullivan says this position is something the Sheriff’s office has pushed consistently pushed for. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/SULLIVAN4.mp3] This unit now …

Gainesville Police Department was notified today that a suspect in the Gainesville High School bomb threat has been arrested in Austin, Texas. The bomb threat was emailed Sunday to GPD. GPD Spokeswoman Corporal Angelina Valuri says the arrest was made yesterday in Austin. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/FP-Valuri-1.mp3|titles=FP Valuri 1] Because the investigation is …

As a case involving child abuse proceeds against two Putnam County parents… the Florida Department of Children and Families is working on where to place their three children. DCF Spokesman John Harrell says the department’s first responsibility is making sure the children are receiving the care they need. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/HARRELL1.mp3] Putnam …

The autopsy is complete, with investigation now moving forward in to the death of a man at Meridian Behavioral Healthcare yesterday. Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Todd Kelly says deputies were compelled to use Tasers to subdue a Hernando County man at the facility under a Baker Act. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/KELLY4.mp3] Kelly …

Gainesville Police are sweeping Gainesville High School after fielding a bomb threat called in to the department.  Alachua County Public Schools Spokeswoman Jackie Johnson says all the students have been evacuated, and school officials are just waiting for the “all clear”. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/JOHNSON3.mp3] She says the district does not deal with …

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances around a potential child abuse case. WUFT-FM’s Lisa Greenberg says a baby is unresponsive due to severe head trauma. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/BabyCriticalConditionWrapFinal.mp3]

Gainesville Regional Utilities is warning its customers of ongoing scams concerning energy surveys. Customers have reported getting calls from an individual posing as a GRU employee. There have also been reports of a person coming to customers’ homes and asking for access inside to conduct a survey.  GRU Spokesman Lewis …