Comments on: Local Utility Pursues Charges For Alleged Water Theft

By: Rasheed Jackson

Rasheed Jackson — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 13:01:01 +0000

For all the people on here defending this man and berating CWW, you know where he lives, it is listed in the report, why not go to his home, and offer to help him? Or better yet go to CWW and pay his bill. I am pretty sure you could do an auto draft to your account and have his bill paid automatically. It is my understanding there are a lot of people paying needy individuals water bill and they do anonymously. I am sure he would be more than happy to accept your help. As for placing a lean on the property, he may not own the property he may be renting. Water service is not a right but a purchased service that everyone must pay for. Theft is wrong and so is vandalism. And as for as water being a basic right no it is no. Yes, it is a need for survival and there are more ways than one to get water. Maybe he needs to dig himself a well or haul it up from the creek. Thing’s people did not so many years ago but to expect it to be given to you and delivered to your house for free is just simply absurd. Because nothing is free someone is paying the cost of processing and delivery and in the case of CWW it is the customers.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 03:34:04 +0000

REGARDING:
“that’s what it’s all about though, money”

Money to pay the power bills to pump the water he stole.
Money to pay the people who make certain the water he stole isn’t contaminated.
Money to maintain the system he stole from.
Money to provide water to put out fires before people die.

Many might say, “Oh well, he didn’t steal all THAT much. Let him get away with it.” — and thereby encourage other thieves to steal as well and to steal other things.

If theft is a minor thing, you wonder why THOU SHALT NOT STEAL made the Top Ten list. Maybe it’s not as small a matter as some think.

For sure, if it is only money, give him YOURS.
Don’t force him to steal from others. for his personal convenience and pleasure.

David for fewer thieves, especially those named David

By: Randon Watson

Randon Watson — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 03:27:13 +0000

I don’t know the individual or his situation, but this is rediculous!!

By: Friend of David

Friend of David — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 02:37:26 +0000

This man was in two bad motorcycle accidents. He was messed up pretty bad. It put him out if work. Until the accidents, he worked hard every day. It’s a crying same that the utility company went to this extreme. It’s also a crying shame that the sheriff’s department wasted time and money on this. Bit that’s what it’s all about though, money. Way to go. Another criminal brought to justice. I just hope nobody cuts my catalytic converter off while I’m sleeping tonight.

By: Henry Coe

Henry Coe — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 16:07:14 +0000

Yep, what he did was wrong and illegal etc, etc, but as a society we shouldn’t leave people without water. We don’t want a “big brother is watching you” scenario but him not paying his bill and getting his water shut off is like a giant red flag that there is a problem going on at this address and something is wrong. Whether it is a mental or physical health or a bad financial hit this person is dealing with, leaving them without water when everyone has to have water too live isn’t a real solution. It only compounds the problem, whatever that problem is.
Now this individual still has their same financial situation plus the money they have tied up in bail plus what ever court cost they incur and they still have to have water to live. This isn’t like steeling cable tv. You need water to live. Especially in July and August.
Maybe we should make this type of offense into something that can only become a civil dispute case and that the continued use of water without paying the bill becomes a lien against the property if it can’t be handled some other way?

By: Regina Patterson

Regina Patterson — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 08:03:23 +0000

I feel bad for the guy. I mean maybe he was just desperate. Desperate people take desperate measures for their survival. Maybe he doesn’t know the right numbers of the people who help pay bills and stuff. Someone should send a social worker around to him or someone who can give him the contacts he needs. Just help the guy he isn’t being a hardened criminal but just a desperate guy who maybe needed help. He isn’t selling drugs or killing babies….we have enough of that going around.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 04:52:14 +0000

A conversation I had with a member of CWWI many years ago:

“I don’t know why we have to pay for water; the Lord gave it to us.”

“Yes ma’am, but He didn’t pump it to your house.”

She could have gotten all she wanted from the creek or river…until bacterial infection or pollution sent her Home to be with Him. The water system also checks for pollutants and disinfects it as well as supply water for fire suppression.

By: Rasheed Jackson

Rasheed Jackson — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 02:39:18 +0000

@katy Myrick
Are you kidding me?
Nope not any more. And hopefully this will be the normal practice for those who choose to steal water and vandalize their equipment.

By: Rasheed Jackson

Rasheed Jackson — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 02:21:07 +0000

If you are behind on your bill with Central Water Works you get two months to make it right, as well as a disconnect notice in the mail before they cut your water off. The $65.69 is the water that used illegally used. Most likely he owed a lot more. With Central Waters Works being a Co-op, which means it is owned by the customers, when you steal from CWW you are stealing from your neighbors.
Cutting the lock off the meter is the same as breaking into a place of business. Personally I feel it is about time Water utilities started holding people accountable for destroying their/our property and stealing from the community. If this was an electric meter the power company would not hesitate to have him prosecuted.
Unlike electrical theft when you tamper with the water system you could jeopardize the safety, and or health of every person on the system.

By: Lisa Fuller

Lisa Fuller — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 02:20:59 +0000

William 2,

I can’t speak for the rest of the county, but there are quite a few people who live in the Central Water Works service area who have private water wells on their property and do not get water from Central Water Works. In fact, Central Water Works is required by Northwest Florida Water Management District to provide documentation each year that they do not encroach on the normal use or operation of private water wells within our water system area.