5A – Identifying Local Opportunities

 #1: “Two-Year-Old-Child Taken to Hospital After Fall into Rhino Exhibit at Brevard Zoo”

·     Website:http://spacecoastdaily.com/2019/01/breaking-1-year-old-child-taken-to-hospital-after-fall-into-rhino-exhibit-at-brevard-zoo/

·     Description: On Tuesday, January 2^nda two-year-old boy and his mother visited the Brevard County Zoo. While there, the boy and his mother went to see the rhino exhibit which separates people and the rhinos by a series of steel poles. According to a witness, during the rhino encounter, one of the rhinos had made contact with the little boy which made him stumble into the exhibit. The mother went to help her son and was also injured in the incident. Both were sent to Arnold Palmer Hospital and a trauma alert was issued. 

·     Problem: The steel poles that separate the people from the rhinos is a safety issue. The boy was able to fit between the steel poles which puts him in a very dangerous situation. Also, there should be a worker from the zoo paying close attention to the people interacting with the rhinos.

·     Who faces the problem: The rhinos, the visitors, and the workers. The rhinos and visitors can be placed in danger and the workers can suffer liability problems.

 #2: “Several Florida Imperiled Species No Longer Warrant Listing, Including Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle”

·      Website: http://spacecoastdaily.com/2019/01/several-florida-imperiled-species-no-longer-warrant-listing-including-suwannee-alligator-snapping-turtle/

·      Description: An article from January 15^th, states that there are some Florida species that will no longer be on the endangered species list. The author wrote that the Homosassa shrew, southern fox squirrel, and the Monroe County osprey will no longer be on the warrant list, which can put them back in danger. However, there are voluntary conservations in place that are trying to protect those animals no longer on the list.

·      Problem: Now that some species are off the list, people become less aware of the danger that some of these animals could face. Simply removing animals from the list does not mean they are perfectly safe. Voluntary conservation activities can become pricy because the money would come from their pockets. And according to the article, it requires many permits. Leaving them on the list could reduce the costs. 

·      Who faces the problem: Mainly the species removed from the list. But also, those who volunteer to help protect those removed from the list. 

 #3: “Florida Bill would ban abortions if heartbeat is detected”

·     Website: https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190116/florida-bill-would-ban-abortions-if-heartbeat-is-detected

·     Description: An article posted on January 16, states how a Florida state representative has filed a bill that would ban abortion after a heartbeat is detected. A reproductive rights director said that it is the most extreme bill to be presented anywhere in the U.S. and that it can be seen as unconstitutional. 

·     Problem: The bill would affect all women who become pregnant, even women who are raped. Rape victims that become pregnant would lose the right to control what they decide to do. Florida’s Supreme Court has challenged bills on reproductive health care in the past. However, according to the article, it is unknown how the new Supreme Court would handle the bill. 

·     Who face the problem: Pregnant women, but more specifically women who are victims of rape. 

 #4: “Sheriff: Need for 911 operators continues”

·     Website:https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190112/sheriff-need-for-911-operators-continues

·     Description: According to an article from January 12, there has been a shortage of 911 operators in Alachua County. Sheriff Darnell has been offering a bonus to the applicant that are qualified. The article explains that they need to be qualified to handle small incidents to larger, more complex accidents. Sheriff Darnell also stated that they have been able to get more patrols and deputies but have been struggling to get telecommunicators. 

·     Problem: With a lack of 911 responders, citizens of Alachua country can be placed in danger. The lack of 911 telecommunicators will slow down responses to calls of distress. It could also become more stressful to the few telecommunicators that are working.

·     Who face the problem: The people of Alachua County. 

 #5: “Leaders call for an end to human trafficking”

·     Website:https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190111/leaders-call-for-end-to-human-trafficking

·     Description: An article from January 11, explains how human trafficking has been an issue in Alachua county for a long time. On Friday (Jan. 11) the Alachua County Coalition Against Human Trafficking held a meeting to discuss this major problem The organization is trying to alert people in their community and make the problem aware. They even reward people that do more in their community to help. Florida has passed some laws against human trafficking but they have struggled with those cases because the victims are often scared and traumatized.

·     Problem: This is a major problem affecting Alachua Country. Unfortunately, there are nearly 25 million people that are affected according to the article. And over 70% of them are women and girls. Another problem is that because most the victims are traumatized, law enforcement has struggled with getting the vases to trial.

·     Who faces the problem: The people of Alachua County, mainly women and young girls.