PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — A dangerous find in a Port Charlotte yard has a woman on edge, after she found a used needle in the grass where her kids play.
She wants to remain anonymous, but tell Fox 4's Rochelle Alleyne that she's used to finding trash in her yard, because her home is near the busy intersection of Peachland and Harbor boulevards.
"I have beer bottles, different things thrown out [into my yard]," she said.
But finding a needle in her yard Wednesday, was a first.
"I put my foot down and the needle was sitting right there within probably two inches from myself feet," she said.
She says she noticed it just seconds after jumping out of the car with her two kids.
"My kid, either one of them could have stepped on it," she said.
This comes after she claims her own mother, who also lives in the area, recently found two needles on her property.
The disturbing discoveries has her warning other parents in the area to be a little more vigilant.
"Be aware, watch your surroundings, don't let your little ones, especially if you live on a main street like I do, walk around barefoot," she said.
It's a trend that has this mother now calling on the county to do something about it.
"Maybe Charlotte County should possibly think about putting needle boxes in the local parks or near busy intersections," she said.
According to the Charlotte County website there are currently three designated drop off point for needles:
- Mid County Transfer & Recycling Facility, 19675 Kenilworth Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL
- Punta Gorda Public Safety Building, 1410 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL
- West County Transfer & Recycling Facility, 7070 Environmental Way, Englewood, FL
For more information, click here.
