On Patrol Longboat Key Police reports week of August 23, 2024

Date:

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