Police Chief Response to Policing—
—To: Editor
—I am authoring this letter in response to an article written by Steve Reid who unfairly misrepresented how the Longboat Key Police Department methodically works to protect its community and how we strive to provide first-class police services that everyone should expect and deserve. The safety of our town, its residents, business owners, and visitors remain the number one priority of the Longboat Key Police Department.
Our responsibility is to ensure that Longboat Key continues to be a safe place to live, work, and visit. There were comments made suggesting that increased police presence may translate into over-aggressive or unnecessary policing. I want to be very clear: high visibility patrols are not about aggressive enforcement. They are about prevention, reassurance, and accessibility. When officers are present and visible in the community, it sends a simple message; our community is protected and our police department is actively engaged in keeping it that way. Visible policing has long been recognized as one of the most effective ways to deter crime before it occurs. It allows officers to interact positively with residents and visitors, respond quickly to concerns, and maintain the sense of safety that makes Longboat Key such a special place.
Our officers are highly trained, polite, and professional public servants who understand the importance of respectful and reasonable policing. They exercise discretion and judgment in their daily duties, and our department places a strong emphasis on fairness and professionalism. In fact, our enforcement statistics reflect that philosophy. In 2025, Longboat Key police officers issued twice as many warnings as actual citations. This demonstrates our commitment to education, voluntary compliance, and reasonable enforcement rather than unnecessary penalties. I give our officers full discretion to make those decisions based on the circumstances they encounter. There are no quotas or numerical expectations placed on them, only the expectation that they address violations appropriately and professionally.
Questions were also raised about the size of our department and the investment in modern police technology. Our police department is made up of 12 officers, 1 detective, 4 sergeants, and 3 members of command staff who all serve this community with professionalism and pride. We are a 24/7 day a week operation who covers both land and water security. Maintaining a well-trained, properly equipped department is not an excess, it is a responsibility. Public safety agencies must keep pace with modern tools and technology to respond effectively to emergencies, communicate efficiently, and protect both our officers and the community. Investments in training, equipment, and technology are not about expansion or unnecessary spending; they are about ensuring that our residents benefit from officers who have the tools needed to perform their duties safely, efficiently, and professionally. These investments ultimately enhance our ability to prevent crime, respond quickly, and maintain the high quality of life our residents and visitors expect and deserve.
We are also committed to being visible and engaged beyond patrol. Our department regularly attends homeowners’ association meetings, and I personally attend all town commission meetings to stay connected with the community we serve. We believe in transparency, open communication, and being accessible to those we protect. As Chief, I have an open-door policy with anyone who’d like to talk about public safety on this island. We welcome community input, feedback, and engagement, as it strengthens our partnership and helps us better serve Longboat Key.
As part of our annual assessment, development and respect for community partnerships, the Town of Longboat Key sends out annual citizens surveys which allow us to gain input from our community and gauge our efforts. Over the past three years, the vast majority of our citizens have expressed they are satisfied or very satisfied with our police services, and this year specifically, a very small percentage expressed they were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied (2.1%). My goal would be to reduce that number.
Longboat Key remains a safe island because of a strong partnership between the police department and the community we serve. Our visible presence, proactive approach, and responsible use of resources are all part of that commitment. We will continue to serve this community with professionalism, fairness, and respect while doing everything possible to ensure Longboat Key remains one of the safest and most welcoming communities in Florida.
Russ Mager
Chief of Police
Longboat Key Police Department
Editorial
To: Editor
It doesn’t spark a taxpayers’ revolt. Stop spreading misinformation. We like our Police presence. Thank you very much.
Gabriel E. Iriarte
Longboat Key
—Over Policing
To: Editor
I have never seen over policing anywhere like this!! Please make it stop!
Lois Marotta
Longboat Key
Police
To: Editor
Your recent story which criticized the Town Police for stopping cars for speeding and other violations lacked one of the most important issues journalists learn; citing the names of those you credited with complaining about the Town Police in the article. The only thing you wrote was “Anonymous” when crediting people complaining.
We have just received the most recent town survey of what residents think about our community, our town staff and services. The data from the annual citizen survey that was just released shows the vast majority of our citizens have shared over the past three years, with slight upticks each year, is that they are satisfied or very satisfied with our police services and that only a very small percentage are very dissatisfied. Quite frankly, if we’re talking about opinions, the opinions of our citizens take the discussion in the complete opposite direction of your story.
I can also report that a family member of mine was stopped when traveling northbound on GMD just after leaving the bridge. They were educated with FDOT’s change of speed signs that run along that area by Country Club Shores, appreciated the information and did not receive a ticket. My comment at the time was “I wish they would stop people going 25mph in a 45mph zone and educate them”.
Your story read like someone was speeding and got caught. My suggestion to people is if you don’t want to get stopped, don’t break the law.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Longboat Key
Policing paradox
To: Editor
Thank you Steve Reid for sharing the 2025 traffic data which includes 1900 citations and 4000 warnings. In particular you highlight the 20,930 self-initiated calls when an officer actively looks for an infraction. After my own traffic ticket on LBK, I will never read “On Patrol” in the same way.
“Dec. 20 Vehicle 9:08 p.m. While on patrol, Officer X observed a vehicle parked in the right of way at the 4800 block of Mexico Drive. Upon further investigation, it seemed as though it was abandoned. Officer X made contact with the vehicle’s owner who said they called dispatch and informed them that the vehicle broke down and they were working on getting a tow but the car was not abandoned. Case clear.”
To the contrary. That same officer came to my door within 5 minutes of observing my car on the right of way. He started to say that I had abandoned my car but I cut him off, explaining that two minutes earlier I called the police department about my car. He then said he heard my call, heard me say “please do not give me a ticket. My car is not abandoned, it went dead but I was able to roll it off the road and bike lane onto the grassy right of way.” When I asked the officer the purpose of banging on my door at 9:30 Saturday night when he knew the car was not abandoned, he replied “you need to get that car towed immediately.” I politely promised to get the car towed as soon as I could locate my insurance paperwork. His response “I am on duty until 6:30am. I can’t promise that another officer will not give you a ticket.” When I arrived at my car Sunday morning, Officer X had written a citation at 4:31 am.
I contested that ticket and believe I would have won. However, the Special Magistrate was not able to hear my case in January, February or March. Just last week I was informed by email that it was not necessary to show up for a hearing because the police department decided to dismiss the case. Only after I officially contested the ticket was this overzealous citation voided. Case closed.
Wendy Peck
Longboat Key
St. Armand’s circle American flags
To: Editor
I am a proud Vietnam war veteran . I visited this week . I must say I was appalled and saddened by the display of American flags along the sidewalks. I gave of my youth, my blood for our flag. To see them all faded and torn breaks my heart that a wonderful community would not care how they represent our country. Just saying
Ned Sugzdinis
Longboat Key
Bridge
To: Longboat Key Commission
A question came up during several commission 1:1 briefings about the comparative maximum slopes between the proposed high fixed-span for Longboat Pass Bridge and the current Ringling Causeway Bridge. The proposed Longboat Pass Bridge as a high fixed-span would actually have a lesser maximum slope than Ringling Causeway. As you can see from Jenn Fehrs email below, the FDOT Project Manager shared that Ringling Causeway max. slope is 5% and proposed Longboat Pass High Fixed Span Bridge max. slope would be 4.5%. This is because the Longboat Pass bridge span and the approaches for Longboat Pass cover more than the waterway width; the navigable channel of Longboat Pass is much further to the north (see image below). Therefore, the peak of the bridge will be to the very north of the waterway. So, much of the bridge slope on the Manatee County side will be over land as the grade comes back down; the slope going up to the top of the bridge from the Longboat side has a much longer run-up distance, so the grade remains shallow for a distance as it gradually runs-up to that peak.
I hope that makes sense and we can certainly discuss on Monday as needed. We have included renderings from FDOT in our Monday presentation and those may help with the descriptions above and below.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Savannah’s Baby
To: Longboat Key Commission
Good Monday morning! We have some good news to start the day! Preston Cobb made his entrance into the world yesterday afternoon, weighing in at an impressive 10 lbs. and 14 oz. A relieved Mom and baby are doing well!
Howard Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
FPL Outage
To: Longboat Key Vice Mayor Debra Williams
Thank you for passing along the message from Longboat Harbour to us. The team will be coordinating directly with Mr. Stewart from here forward.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
FPL outage
To: Longboat Key Vice Mayor Debra Williams
Good morning Ms. Williams , just following up on the email about the Parking Lot Lights.
I was miss leading in telling you I could not get into FPL system. After doing some research I found an email I saved about this issue. Please , see email below. FPL did respond to me earlier about this issue. (12/12/25)
We have had an issue with the GMD lights at this location. I reached out to FPL and with the help of Wilco replaced the meter at this location on Tuesday.(3/17/26)
I drove by, early this morning, noticed the GMD and the parking lot lights that parallel GMD on your property were all working. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I will do my best to help.
Guy Matricciani
Construction & Facility System Manager Public Works Department
Town of Longboat Key
FPL outage
To: Longboat Key Public Works Facility Manager Guy Matricciani
Crews evaluated job this week, found an underground issue that may need a bore under road which will require a permit. I am sending crew back out on Mon/Tue next week to see if there is an alternate way to feed. If not, permit and bore will take weeks.
Donald King
Florida Power and Light
FPL outage
To: FP&L Donald King
Good morning Don , you had asked me to get back to you if this ticket was still open that you created for us. We would appreciate helping expedite this as soon as possible.
Guy Matricciani
Construction & Facility System Manager Public Works Department
Town of Longboat Key
FPL outage
To: Longboat Key Assistant to Town Manager Savannah Cobb
We still have no lights along the GPOMD on our property. FPL came out last week and trimmed the old wires that were attached to the GOMD power lines (since underground).
This has been going on for many months now. Whatever I can do to expedite getting these on again I would be happy to do. As mentioned before, we have been reporting this every forty days on the FPL outage portal. Thank You For Your Help.
Ken Stewart
Longboat Key
FDOT
To: Adam Cross
I am meeting with Tip as soon as my plane lands and I hope staff has reached out to the Secretary.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
FDOT
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
We do have a contact over there, have you or the someone from the town raised these concerns with District 1 Interim Secretary James Driggers?
His email is James.Driggersjr@dot.state.fl.us. If we you are not satisfied with his responsiveness please let me know. We delt with a similar bridge issue recently.
Adam Cross
Potomac Partners DCFDOT
To: Adam Cross
Did Rick say he had an important contact in FDOT (Fl Dept of Transportation)? We have a serious issue coming up on Monday’s agenda that concerns the bridge on the northern end of the island. FDOT for financial reasons is proposing a 78’ fixed span bridge that will look like a black diamond hill at a ski resort. It will not be pedestrian or bicycle friendly and quite unsightly. The residents are quite upset and so are the cyclists and runners. If you know of someone I can reach out to that would be wonderful. Thanks so much.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Longboat Pass Bridge
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Steve Branham
Thank you for your support on this issue. FDOT’s public comment period ends on March 23… the same day as your next commission meeting. I’m hopeful that the Commissioners can provide FDOT with an official re-affirmation of our Town’s opposition to a 78 foot high fixed bridge that would destroy the character of the Longboat Key Inlet (and would, incidentally, be the 3rd highest in the State, following only Sunshine Sky Way and Jacksonville I295). During their presentation the other day, FDOT made it clear that the primary (and perhaps only) reason for a fixed bridge is cost. Given that, we will probably need lobbying of our State reps and perhaps congressmen in support of the more expensive bascule option. Or just keep repairing the existing bridge, which would cost less in the short term and be infinitely preferable to a 78 foot mega bridge. I’d welcome the chance to brainstorm with you about this at some point.
In the meantime, LBK North is rallying the north end residents to embark on a letter writing campaign to FDOT.
James G. Haft
Longboat Key
Longboat Pass Bridge
To: James Haft
Thanks for your continued concern for this project and persistent support for the Town’s clearly stated position to FDOT seeking a replacement bascule bridge. Such a bridge would better suit our needs and valued aesthetics. I will also follow up on the lobbyist option with the Town Manager and Town Attorney.
As for the comments that appear in the response to you below, I am firmly engaged regarding this and all MPO related issues before the Governing Board. I assure you that will continue to be the case. I’ve provided the Town’s stated position as conveyed in our Mayor’s letter sent in 2024, directly to the FDOT District One Secretary on at least two occasions during my 11 months as MPO Board member in conjunction with MPO quarterly meetings. I have participated in or attended both FDOT public hearings including the virtual hearing you spoke at last night. But the fact is FDOT (not the MPO) rules this part of the process (which started six years ago) and it moves forward considering ALL input equally weighted, including MPO Governing Board members. I also alerted (twice) all commissioners well in advance of the recent public hearings and urged them to attend and add their voices. Again, I thank you for yours. The process is working as designed. But no single voice even from the Governing Board will derail it. We need to reengage as a unified Town to make our best case for what is needed.
Steve Branham
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Longboat Pass Bridge
To: James Haft
Great question Jim. I am in DC trying to get some transportation money for safe sidewalks and bike trails. I will reach out to our lobbyist.
Steve Branham is our MPO member from the Commission. I hope he is on top of this. Mike Haycock would never have allowed this to move forward
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Longboat Pass Bridge /SR 789 comment form
To: FDOT David Turley
I am completely opposed to the taller bridges. I bike and walk over the LB Pass bridge frequently. FDOT must already be aware of the year on year increase in e-bike and scooter traffic going over the LB Pass bridge by residents and workers who are trying to avoid the traffic backups. The taller bridges are much more dangerous due to the natural acceleration of bikes (electric and manual) and scooters going over the bridge, while navigating pedestrians – all with the bike ultimately hitting top speeds as it approaches the coquina and N. Shore Rd intersections. We have an older community and the tallest bridge being proposed is not conducive at all to an older resident’s activity and fitness level – and will be less safe.
I am also completely opposed to the highest fixed span bridge because it is completely out of scale with the residential neighborhood and natural environment that surrounds LB pass. How can cost be the only criteria when it will completely change the community character of the area for the worst?
This high span bridge will do nothing to improve our traffic problems. The extreme height FDOT favors for this bridge seems to be an accommodation for a few taller boats – something that is completely resolved with a drawbridge.
The various bridge options were the subject of many community and Town meetings on LBK two years ago. We gave it good thought then and held task team meetings to discuss the pros and cons of each option. The high fixed span bridge was the one option that had the majority of LBK’s (Florida taxpaying) residents on the north end saying “absolutely not”.
I know you are only the messenger here, not the final decision maker, but does FDOT really want feedback, as it seems it is falling on deaf ears for this project? The community feedback from the large neighborhood organizations on LBK (e.g., LBK North) and the Town of Longboat Key (Letter from the Mayor) seem to have been completely disregarded by Florida’s Department of Transportation.
Thank you for listening and I am hopeful that FDOT will reconsider and make a decision that reflects the needs, character and safety of this community – one we can all be proud of.
Maureen Merrigan
Longboat Key
