Identifying Local Opportunities 5A

1.) Grown Hillsmere diamondback terrapins released back into the wild

• http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/schools/ac-cn-hillsmere-terrapins-released-0601-story.html
• Hillsmere elementary students were given these turtles last fall and raised them. They take these baby turtles out of risky areas near the Chesapeake bay, and give the turtles safety and the kids learn about the bay. Now all grown up, they release the turtles back into nature.
• The problem is that it is crab season in Maryland and often times crabbers will catch turtles in their crab pots and the turtles drown. Not only that, but if these turtles are to lay eggs, there is a good chance a predator will come in and eat them.
• This problem concerns obviously the turtles because they can easily be attacked or wind up in a fish net and drown, but it also affects the people who have crab pots because they don't want to catch turtles, and often times the find a crab in their pot.

2.) Jimmy DeButts: Crossed fingers not enough to protect Annapolis against sea threat

• http://www.capitalgazette.com/opinion/ac-cm-debutts-column-0603-story.html
• Ellicott city was recently undergoing the second flooding in the past two years and it sent Annapolis into worry because if another Hurricane Isabel came, the same thing that happened to Ellicott city would happen to Annapolis. Annapolis plans to spend $10 million to help prevent water going up the pipes and causing a flood.
• The problem is that Annapolis Historic District is right on the water and is right near the Naval Academy, along with all the other businesses right on the water. If another bad hurricane Hurricane were to hit, Annapolis would be under water just like back in 2003 when Hurricane Isabel hit.
• The people who have this problem are the ones who live near the area, all Naval Academy students and all the businesses that are right there on the water.

3.) Maryland weather: Flooding threats diminished, for now — but more rain still in forecast through Sunday

• http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/weather/weather-blog/bs-md-rain-forecast-20180601-story.html#nt=oft13a-3gp1
• The month of May recorded 8 inches of rain at BWI Airport. This is a problem in the Ellicott City area, as they are never use to so much rain. There was a flash flood warning last weekend, and they are expecting to get more rain this weekend which will cause even more tragedy. 
• The problem is that Ellicott City is not used to getting so much rain and last weekend there was rain all down the streets, moving cars and causing so much damage. But its not getting better, with more rain expected this weekend.
• The people affected by this are all the owners of owns or businesses in Ellicott City as they were unable to leave their homes last weekend, and may be in for the same this weekend, as well as all the damage to their vehicles.

4.) Accused Shoplifters Pull Knife On Walmart Employees: Police

• https://patch.com/maryland/annearundel/accused-shoplifters-pull-knife-walmart-employees-police
• Walmart employees tried to stop two people from leaving the store with stuff they did not pay for. The two then pulled out knives and ran away.
• The problem is that there really isn't too much violence in the Annapolis area, and when something like this happens, its pretty alarming. Along with that, both accused shoplifters were of African American decent, so that could also arise some problems just because of their skin color.
• The people affected by this are the people in the area who spot at that Walmart, the owners and managers of that Walmart and the employees. When that happens, they are sure to lose some business.

5.) Annapolis officers deny beating, using racial slurs in wrongful detainment suit

• http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/for_the_record/ac-cn-towhee-sparrow-trial-201800601-story.html
• Towhee Sparrow was arrested and claims he was beaten by the officers and they also used racial slurs towards him. The Sgt officer claims he never saw any unjust doing and didn't hear any racial slur.
• The problem is that if the officer is lying to defend his officers and even his job, then he is being unjust towards the defendant and that this could lead to further unjust acts by the officers who did it. They will have the mentality that because they got away with it, they can keep doing it.
• The problem affects any person of African American decent because then they will fear the police officers in the area, and will not feel safe around them. It could also lead to more acts like this towards African American people in the area.