Law and public safety

The Florida Highway Patrol is defending itself against an investigative report criticizing how the agency handled the deadly Interstate-75 crash in late January. As FPR’s Sascha Cordner reports, the agency’s response released Friday places much of the blame on the drivers in the incident, which left 11 people dead. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/I75CrashReportReply0810s.mp3]

Gainesville police have cancelled the search for missing Craig Taylor.  He was found this morning at SW Archer Road and Tower Road, and was returned safely to his northwest Gainesville home.  

By Forrest Smith-WUFT-FM Gainesville police are looking for man with mental health issues who might be off his medication and could become violent.  Police Spokesman Ben Tobias says 48-year-old Craig Taylor has not been seen since Saturday, when he got away from his home at 3818 NW 25th Terrace.  He …

Levy County and the Williston area have amped up their fight on drug crimes. Florida’s 89.1  WUFT-FM’s Stephanie Denardo reports on how one successful operation has led to multiple arrests and what authorities hope are safer streets. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/08/FP-Operation-Clean-Sweep-WRAP.mp3|titles=FP Operation Clean Sweep WRAP]

The Gainesville Police Department was the subject of scrutiny last night when dozens of concerned community members rallied to increase police efforts in finding a local man. Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Lindsey Zionts reports on the family’s hopes, and what police have done so far. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/08/GPDmeetingWrap.mp3|titles=GPDmeetingWrap]

The Gainesville Police Department says 26 year old Omar Jabree Gibson was last seen a week ago, and family members have said it’s unusual for him to be gone this long without any contact.  He was last see on July 25th at Palms of Brook Valley Apartments, wearing a tank …

As the investigation into the Colorado movie theatre shooting continues, many parents may wonder just how much exposure their children should have to the news coverage.  Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Blake Alderman talked with a child psychiatrist. Dr. Elias H. Sarkis, who gives some advice about how to talk with children about the tragedy. …

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office has made six arrests from an undercover internet crimes against children sting. Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Kristen Botica has more on the story surrounding these arrests. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/07/Operation-Tailspin-WRAP.mp3|titles=Operation Tailspin WRAP]

The Gainesville Police Department is searching for a man who may have a firearm after shots were fired earlier today. Officers were dispatched to the area of University Commons Apartments upon recieving a call at 12:48 p.m. Police found shell casings and were given a vehicle tag number. Police found …

Details are continuing to surface in the late night shooting spree at a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado.  During the midnight premier of “The Dark Knight Rises” a lone gunman entered the theatre, hurled a gas canister and then began shooting using an assault rifle, a shotgun and two pistols killing 12 and injuring 59 people.  Police officers …