Identifying Local Opportunities
1.) Need for Safer Rideshare Company
Article: Uber reveals extent of sexual assault problem: thousands of abuse reports a year
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/uber-reveals-widespread-sexual-assault-problem-including-hundreds-reports-rape-n1096411
This article details the problem of sexual assault being perpetuated during Uber rides. On average, Uber received four complaints of rape every week in the United States in 2018. In total, Uber garnered 5,981 reports of sexual abuse between the years 2017 and 2018. The problem mostly impacted vulnerable women who were traveling alone. This is a major issue locally considering the amount of students who rely on Uber to get around, especially when intoxicated/vulnerable.
2.) Increase in Floridian Cattle Deaths: Need for Solution
Article: Florida investigates uptick in reports of cattle deaths
https://www.wtxl.com/news/florida-investigates-uptick-in-reports-of-cattle-deaths/article_9e586562-16bd-11e9-b449-6b0680e7643b.html
This article highlights the recent problem of unprecedented amounts of cattle dying in Florida. Officials in the state do not yet know the exact cause of the deaths, but are focusing the investigation an a single brand of feed. This problem affects farmers, since they are losing out on the cattle that they rely on for income, and well as meat/dairy consumers. It is a major issue locally considering that cattle bring in millions of dollars for Florida's economy.
3.) Need to Regenerate Tourist Interest in Florida
Article: Has South Florida tourism peaked? Key indicators dip in 2019
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bz-south-florida-tourism-dips-in-2019-20200131-gpf4hun76jgivmcgrcyfoa2lae-story.html
This article is about the gradually lowering hotel prices and bookings that South Florida is experiencing. The issue mainly impacts those in the hospitality industry, such as hotel owners. It is key that Florida fixes this issue since the state relies heavily on tourism for its economy.
4.) Need to Protect Panthers
Article: Environmental group raises concerns about impact of Southwest-Central Florida Connector
https://www.winknews.com/2020/01/30/environmental-group-raises-concerns-about-impact-of-southwest-central-florida-connector/
This article revolves around the plan to build a new road connecting Polk and Collier counties. While it is being implemented to hopefully ease congestion, environmental activists are worried it will result in the death of wildlife, including panthers. This issue affects the endangered population of panthers in the state and is thus it is crucial to find a solution that will protect their lives.
5.) Need to Fix Prison System in Florida
Article: Alarm bells growing louder to fix Florida’s decaying prisons
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/fl-op-com-dockery-florida-prisons-decaying-decades-20200102-446k6fnotrblrclgphxhuu3vei-story.html
This article highlights the issue of Florida's failing prison system. The prison's are suffering from "ignored routine maintenance, low salaries, routine 12-hour overtime shifts, poor working conditions and gang violence." This issue mostly affects prison workers and inmates.
Article: Uber reveals extent of sexual assault problem: thousands of abuse reports a year
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/uber-reveals-widespread-sexual-assault-problem-including-hundreds-reports-rape-n1096411
This article details the problem of sexual assault being perpetuated during Uber rides. On average, Uber received four complaints of rape every week in the United States in 2018. In total, Uber garnered 5,981 reports of sexual abuse between the years 2017 and 2018. The problem mostly impacted vulnerable women who were traveling alone. This is a major issue locally considering the amount of students who rely on Uber to get around, especially when intoxicated/vulnerable.
2.) Increase in Floridian Cattle Deaths: Need for Solution
Article: Florida investigates uptick in reports of cattle deaths
https://www.wtxl.com/news/florida-investigates-uptick-in-reports-of-cattle-deaths/article_9e586562-16bd-11e9-b449-6b0680e7643b.html
This article highlights the recent problem of unprecedented amounts of cattle dying in Florida. Officials in the state do not yet know the exact cause of the deaths, but are focusing the investigation an a single brand of feed. This problem affects farmers, since they are losing out on the cattle that they rely on for income, and well as meat/dairy consumers. It is a major issue locally considering that cattle bring in millions of dollars for Florida's economy.
3.) Need to Regenerate Tourist Interest in Florida
Article: Has South Florida tourism peaked? Key indicators dip in 2019
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bz-south-florida-tourism-dips-in-2019-20200131-gpf4hun76jgivmcgrcyfoa2lae-story.html
This article is about the gradually lowering hotel prices and bookings that South Florida is experiencing. The issue mainly impacts those in the hospitality industry, such as hotel owners. It is key that Florida fixes this issue since the state relies heavily on tourism for its economy.
4.) Need to Protect Panthers
Article: Environmental group raises concerns about impact of Southwest-Central Florida Connector
https://www.winknews.com/2020/01/30/environmental-group-raises-concerns-about-impact-of-southwest-central-florida-connector/
This article revolves around the plan to build a new road connecting Polk and Collier counties. While it is being implemented to hopefully ease congestion, environmental activists are worried it will result in the death of wildlife, including panthers. This issue affects the endangered population of panthers in the state and is thus it is crucial to find a solution that will protect their lives.
5.) Need to Fix Prison System in Florida
Article: Alarm bells growing louder to fix Florida’s decaying prisons
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/fl-op-com-dockery-florida-prisons-decaying-decades-20200102-446k6fnotrblrclgphxhuu3vei-story.html
This article highlights the issue of Florida's failing prison system. The prison's are suffering from "ignored routine maintenance, low salaries, routine 12-hour overtime shifts, poor working conditions and gang violence." This issue mostly affects prison workers and inmates.
The Uber issue is scary! Especially, like you said, for us students who rely on Uber so heavily and believe that nothing bad will ever happen to us...until it does. I agree that their is an unmet need their and an opportunity can be made. I also had no idea tourism was declining in South Florida, cheaper hotels are nice and south Floridians in the hospitality industry don't need to make even more money than they already have. I don't believe the prices need to be fixed, if anything it would just hurt tourism even more. Lastly, prisons better shape up fast!
ReplyDeleteThe sexual assault statistics for Uber were staggering. I knew it had been a pertinent safety issue but not nearly to this extent! These rideshare companies need to be held to a higher standard and implement safety precautions like mandatory cameras while drivers are active. I also had no idea that tourism was declining in Florida which I found very surprising. There's definitely a huge market opportunity here to re-kindle Florida's attraction as a popular tourist destination.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that there is a need for a safer rideshare company. I did not realize that Uber received so many reports of sexual abuse. Uber should do a deeper background check into their drivers to ensure that the numbers of reports of sexual abuse go down. Of course, this doesn’t solve everything, but as a woman, this can be really scary. Lots of students use Uber to get to places and they need to know that can get a ride without being assaulted.
ReplyDelete