The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
Aug. 16
Boat
11:20 a.m.
Officer Barrett while on patrol, observed an abandoned sailboat that had drifted into the Longboat Pass Bridge and was striking the bridge due to the waves and current. Officer Barrett contacted the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Cortez and they removed the vessel to prevent any damage to the bridge or future hazards. They towed it to a safe location just east of the Mar Vista Restaurant. Further investigation revealed that the current owner did not have the funds to have it properly towed and secured nor have it properly registered. The owner was warned that he only had 30 days to register the vessel from the date of purchase and that it had to be properly anchored and secure. The owner advised that he contacted a salvage company and that they would respond later today and take possession of the vessel. He advised that he has the title and that he will relinquish ownership of the vessel to the salvage company. Case clear.
Beach
6:26 p.m.
Officer Mathis was dispatched to the 1500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a dog on the beach. Upon his arrival, Officer Mathis met with the dog’s owner and advised her K9 was a certified service dog. The owner insisted on providing the officer with the K9’s service credentials and license. Officer Mathis thanked the owner for the information and returned to his patrol unit to contact the complainant. The complainant advised that it was completely unacceptable for the lady to have her dog on the beach. Officer Mathis then advised the complainant the K9 was in fact a registered service animal. The complainant became argumentative and refused to provide any further information. Case clear.
Aug. 17
Permit
12:35 p.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to the 3600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference for a suspicious man with a tent set up renting out electric water equipment. Upon arriving on seen, Officer Pescuma observed a canopy tent with multiple life jackets hanging from the frame. Officer Ramsaier and Officer Pescuma approached two men who said they worked for an e-foil company and they provide a pre-arranged class for those that signed up on line and were not open to the public. They choose a location to meet which changes based on water condition. Although, Officer Pescuma did not observe any signs of advertisement for rentals. Sgt. Butler, Officer Ramsaier and Officer Pescuma told the man of the town ordinance. Additionally within or on town parks, public beaches, public beach accesses, public bay accesses, or other public places, commercial vendors are prohibited from the sale, rental, display or solicitation of any product, service or activity, including the sale of food, unless the commercial vendor has a valid concessionaire agreement with the town. The man was issued a verbal warning told to cease services. Furthermore, he was instructed to engage the town for proper approval and permitting moving forward. Case clear.
Aug. 18
Motorcycle
1:05 p.m.
Officer Butler received a camera alert regarding the vehicle traveling northbound from Bay Isles Parkway with the registered owner having a suspended/canceled/revoked driver’s license. Officer Butler queried and confirmed that the registered owners driver’s license was suspended. The vehicle is a black motorcycle and was located traveling northbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive. A traffic stop was conducted at the 7000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. The supervisor made contact with the driver who was the registered owner of the motorcycle. Officer Butler advised her that her driver’s license is suspended in which she said she didn’t know. Officer Butler asked her for her registration and insurance and she said she left them at home. Upon review of her driver’s license it was found that she possesses a Class E driver’s license and it was not motorcycle endorsed. Officer Butler asked the woman why she was driving the motorcycle without the endorsement and she acknowledges not having one and said she always rides them without the proper license. She was told by Officer Butler that she cannot drive a motorcycle nor a car and was issued two citations and three warnings. Case clear.
Noise
11:05 p.m.
Officer Maple was dispatched to the 4200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a noise complaint. Upon his arrival, Officer Maple heard music playing at a louder than desired level from the pool area of the hotel. Officer Maple made contact with three men in the pool and informed them of the noise ordinance. The man said they were just visiting the hotel for a few days and was unaware of the ordinance violation. Music, playing from a portable stereo was immediately turned down and the man said they wouldn’t make any additional noise. They were informed of any repeat law enforcement notification will most likely result in a fine. The man was given a warning. Case clear.
Aug. 20
Electricity
11:28 a.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to the area of Buttonwood Drive and Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a power line arcing and parking creating a fire in the bush. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma didn’t observe a fire or any arcing and sparking from a wire. Officer Pescuma did locate a powerline on the ground in front of the 3000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Longboat Key Fire Department was dispatched and FPL was notified with 30 minute ETA. It was identified that the powerline from utility pole took out power on the south end of Longboat Key and Lido Key. Officer Pescuma conducted traffic control without incident. Case clear.
Aug. 21
Suspicious person
12:58 p.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to Bayou Sound in reference to a suspicious person incident. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma met with the complainant who said she observed two men wearing bright shirts in the vicinity of her backyard 15 minutes prior to being dispatched. The woman stated that they didn’t speak English and they got their supervisor on the phone. The supervisor stated that they work for Metro Cable. They are subcontracted out by comcast and are in the are in the area working on cable. They are subcontracted out by Comcast and are in the same area working on cable. Officer Pescuma observed the cable equipment they were working in the far corner of the backyard. The back yard is not secured with a fence. Officer Pescuma met with the men and validated their claim to be working on cable. Additionally, Officer Pescuma advised the woman that the men will have to return to inspect the work done on the cable box. Case clear.
Rain
7:15 p.m.
Officer Mathis was dispatched to Companion Way in reference to a construction noise disturbance. Upon his arrival, Officer Mathis met with the site manager who explained to him that his construction crew was in the process of completing emergency structural repairs to the rear of the residence where the recent rainfall had added to the washout from the Tropical Storm Debby. The site manager escorted Officer Mathis to the rear of the residence and showed him where the rain had caused dangerous erosion under the home’s footer causing serious structural issues. The site manager explained that if the repairs were not completed as soon as possible there was a possibility the back portion of the residence would collapse into the washed out pool area. Officer Mathis then spoke with the homeowner who said he had spoken with the town’s building department earlier and explained the situation and the emergency repair needed. Due to the situation at hand work was not stopped in fear of the rear portion of the home collapsing into the washed out pool area. Officer Mathis attempted to contact the complainant to advise him of the situation was unsuccessful in my relationship. Case clear.
