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Caution urged for Lakeland Electric workers after robberies

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By JENNIFER LEIGH | News Channel 8

Published: September 4, 2009

LAKELAND - Lakeland officials are urging their electric company field employees to be extra vigilant in the wake of two daytime robberies.

Twice in late August, Lakeland Electric meter readers were robbed at gunpoint.

Officials are requiring electric company employees in the field to work in pairs.

"Everybody's a little skittish right now. We're trying to be more aware of our surroundings and make sure we're a lot more visible on the streets," said Lane Dorminy, the field service supervisor for Lakeland Electric.

City spokesman Kevin Cook said Lakeland is restricting the hours field crews work in some neighborhoods.

"They are now going out just at certain times of the day from 9 to 11 [a.m.] and then from 4 to 6 [p.m.]. Before they'd be out from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.," Cook said.

Meter readers don't collect payments from customers, so they don't carry any cash. Police and city officials don't believe the workers were targeted but that the robberies were crimes of opportunity.

Lakeland police have posted composite sketches of each of the robbery suspects at www.lpdonlinenews.com.

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