The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
Aug. 2
Driver’s license
4:33 p.m.
Officer Pescuma while on patrol received a target alert service for an expired tag. The vehicle was traveling northbound and the alert was for an expired tag. Officer Pescuma confirmed that the vehicle had an expired tag as of March 29. The vehicle was located and a traffic stop was conducted on a 2011 Chevy Silverado pickup truck. Officer Pescuma made contact with the driver and introduced himself and provided the reason for the traffic stop. Officer Pescuma asked the driver for his driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. The driver handed him a Mexico ID card. The driver is listed as the owner of the vehicle, and Officer Pescuma asked him if he knew he should not be driving to which he said ‘yes.’ The driver said he was working on Longboat Key. Officer Pescuma issued a criminal citation for having no driver’s license and advised that the driver could not drive and he arranged for transportation. Case clear.
Aug. 3
Boat
11:04 a.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to Broadway Street in reference to a white sailboat secured to the pier that washed up on July 31. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma spoke with the complainant who was concerned that the sailboat owner had not retrieved the vessel after several days. Officer Pescuma made several attempts to call the owner via cell phone and left a voicemail. The man will be contacting someone with regard to removing the vessel. Case clear.
Suspicious person
7:51 p.m.
Officer Maple, Sgt. Montfort and Officer Mathis were dispatched to Falmouth Drive for a suspicious person call. Upon their arrival, they met with an individual who was walking in the parking lot and provided identification and confirmed he was staying at the location and was just out for a walk. He said he had taken a photo of a car that had its cover blown off from high winds and was in the process of texting the owner to help avert any possible damage from the approaching storm. The person was provided reasoning for their arrival and quickly released from questioning. Case clear.
Aug. 4
Boat
4:43 p.m.
Sgt. Montfort was dispatched to the area of Longboat Pass Bridge for a sailboat loose and heading for the bridge. Sgt. Montfort arrived in the area and observed a blue and white sailboat pinned against the bridge. Sgt. Montfort was able to observe the hatch to the vessel was locked and it appeared there were no occupants on board. Sgt. Montfort notified communications of the situation and due to the current storm, the boat may remain pinned to the bridge. Officer Pescuma notified the U.S. Coast Guard of the navigational hazard. Case clear.
Bridge
6:51 p.m.
Sgt. Montfort while on patrol, observed a backup of vehicles on Longboat Pass Bridge. Sgt. Montfort passed the vehicles and observed that a large drawbridge arm was across the roadway. Sgt. Montfort notified communications to dispatch a representative from Florida Department of Transportation to resolve the issue. Longboat Key Fire Rescue and law enforcement from Manatee County were advised the bridge was impassable. Members remained on scene to conduct traffic control while no calls for service were active. Case clear.
Flood water
7:06 p.m.
Officer Pescuma while on patrol, came upon a disabled vehicle in the 4600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Upon arrival, Officer Pescuma observed a 2011 blue Ford sedan disabled in flood water blocking the southbound lane of Gulf of Mexico Drive. A good Samaritan assisted with pushing the vehicle to the side of the road thereby opening the southbound lane. Operator of vehicle will arrange for a tow. Case clear.
Aug. 5
Marine rescue
2:19 a.m.
Officer Ramsaier was dispatched to the 1900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a marine rescue call. Upon arrival, Officer Ramsaier spoke with the complainant who stated he observed a white blinking light approximately 200 feet away from the Gulf of Mexico. Officer Ramsaier along with Sgt. Montfort determined it was not a boat in distress but a channel marker that became detached and was in the area. Case clear.
Stranded car
3:58 p.m.
Officer Miklos while on patrol on Gulf of Mexico Drive, observed a blue Toyota van parked on the bicycle lane and in the northbound lane of travel near 4600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Miklos made contact with the manager of the resort who was able to provide a contact number for the car. The owner advised his car shut off after driving through a flooded roadway. The owner of the car returned to the scene where Officer Nazareno and Officer Miklos assisted push the vehicle out of the lane of travel. The vehicle was moved to the southbound side of Gulf of Mexico Drive into the right of way. The vehicle is no longer blocking a bicycle or vehicle lane. The owner advised he was making arrangements for a tow truck to pick up the vehicle. The owner advised the tow company provided an estimated time arrival of two hours. Case clear.
Aug. 6
Boat motor
8:58 p.m.
Officer Tillman responded to Broadway for a boat motor missing from the Broadway access. The man stated that he had the boat tied up to a friend’s sailboat before the Tropical Storm Debby arrived. Once the storm has passed the boat is missing. The man stated that if the boat is located he will contact the police department. Case clear.
Aug. 7
Water
3: 28 p.m.
Officer Mathis while on beach patrol, observed a large quantity of water being pumped from a large hose. The water was being pumped in such a manner that it had created a large crevasse through the dune and beach with water flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. Sgt. Montfort and Officer Mathis parked the UTV at the dune and made their way to the residence. Officer Mathis then made contact with the site supervisor for the landscape company. Officer Montfort had the supervisor shut off the pumps and introduced himself and explained the reason for their visit. The supervisor knew he should not be pumping the water from the home’s water feature and pool onto the beach. The supervisor was given a verbal warning. The supervisor apologized for the negligence. Workers began filling in the crevasse they created in the dune. Case clear.
Aug. 8
Damaged property
3:15 p.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to the 400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to property damage to a gas pump hose. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma met with the complainant and said that a white box truck drove away with the fuel hose and nozzle from the gas pump. Officer Pescuma reviewed the video surveillance and observed the vehicle driving off with the fuel hose still attached. Officer Pescuma also observed advertising printed on the side of the box truck for furniture, mattresses and appliances. Officer Pescuma called the company and spoke to the production manager and advised him of the incident and asked if his company had any deliveries on Longboat Key in which he said they did. The man spoke to the owner and exchanged contact information. Case clear.
