Law and public safety

The state’s court system is freezing hiring and preparing for possible staff layoffs due to a $72.3 million deficit. Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady wrote letters to Governor Rick Scott and legislative budget leaders asking for assistance to get them through the fiscal year. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s T.J. …

As the Florida legislature continues to debate changes to concealed weapons permits, local law enforcement officials are wary of changes. Gainesville Police Department Corporal Tscharna Senn says allowing guns to be carried openly would open the door for potential problems. “It’s another opportunity for someone to use a firearm when …

The Florida Department of Corrections will close the Lowell and Sumter Correctional Institution Boot Camps at the end of June. The closings aim to save Florida about $30-million this year. Florida Department of Corrections Spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger says it makes sense to close down older facilities with empty beds. “Once …

A 70-year old missing Gainesville woman has been returned to her family safe and sound. Betty Gaskin was found this morning by a Sheriff’s Deputy. Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Art Forgey said Gaskins was found in the same area she was last seen unharmed. He adds she …

Ocala police are looking for the man responsible for robbing a Bank of America on Silver Springs Boulevard yesterday afternoon. The man waited in line before demanding money from the teller and fleeing. He is a white male, 5 foot 7, 170 pounds last seen in a black wig black …

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Department plans on raising awareness on the importance of seatbelt usage, especially with males between the ages of 18 and 35. The campaign has already lead to 83% of drivers in America using seatbelts, an all-time high. However, in Florida, 73% of the deaths for males …

Marion County Sheriff’s officials and detectives are working to uncover a body found in the Florida Highlands, off of Southwest 105th Avenue. Marion County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jenifer Lowe says the body has not yet identified. “They were led to this particular piece of property from a lead on an …

Sheriff’s deputies say con artists have been telling homeowners they have just enough asphalt left over from another job. The scammers are usually polite and persuasive, but also use pressure tactics and intimidation. After the work is complete, they demand a larger sum of money than was originally quoted. The …

Republican supporters of the bill pushed to allow concealed-weapon permit holders to carry their firearms out in the open, including on school campuses, as long as they wore identification and stored their weapons in safe holsters. But State Senator Paula Dockery proposed an amendment at the committee’s meeting yesterday to …

Spring Break is in full swing for University of Florida students. For most it means fun in the sun. But as WUFT-FM’s Phillip Marks reports, there are also many dangers during this week of fun. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/springbreakPM.mp3]