The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
Jan. 31
Neighbor
9:22 a.m.
Officer Van Dyke responded to Bayou Circle in reference to a suspicious person. The reporter advised dispatch that although she’s not home, a neighbor informed her that a known general contractor was at her residence. The woman advised that although the man didn’t know that he’s unwelcome at the residence at the time, they were in the middle of an ongoing civil dispute regarding payment for his services. Therefore, the woman didn’t feel comfortable with the man at the residence at the time. She believed that he may drive a black truck, but she’s uncertain. The subject was gone on arrival, Officer Van Dyke canvassed the area yielding negative results. It should be noted that the woman request a patrol request to dispatch but didn’t request one when Officer Van Dyke called her directly. Case clear.
Feb. 1
Dog
7:58 p.m.
Officer Troyer responded to the 5600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive on a report of a noise disturbance. The complainant contacted the police department for a barking dog. The complainant met with Officer Troyer and invited him into the apartment to hear the noise. The complainant opened the back sliding door then Officer Troyer heard a slight barking noise coming from the area, but the noise wasn’t very loud. The complainant said the barking was a constant issue, and the dog was coming from another apartment and the dog owner was later identified. The complainant said that the neighbor left the dog unattended for a few hours which frequently happened. The complainant also mentioned he felt the neighbor should not be a dog owner, and that the officer should take custody of the dog as this was an animal cruelty. Officer Troyer informed him that he would not, as a barking dog was not in violation of Florida Law for animal cruelty. Officer Troyer also told the complainant that the barking did not appear to be a noise ordinance violation as the barking was not very loud and could only be heard for a brief period. Officer Troyer told the complainant that he could speak with the neighbor about the issue but the complainant said he was not home. While there, the neighbor arrived. The two men spoke about the issue and exchanged contact information so they could communicate about mitigating the dog barking and possibly the complainant watching the dog from time to time. In the end, the two men were able to come to a solution with the dispute about the dog barking and were satisfied. Case clear.
Feb. 3
Parking
10:21 a.m.
Officer Miklos responded to Longboat Drive South in reference to illegally parked construction vehicles blocking traffic. Upon arrival, Officer Miklos located one truck and trailer parked on the street near an active construction zone. At this time, Officer Miklos was able to safely maneuver the street without issue. Officer Miklos made contact with the construction crew and advised them of the parking complaint. The construction crew agreed to move the truck further away from the stop sign at Longboat Drive South and Broadway. Case clear.
Vehicle
2:44 p.m.
Officer Miklos while on patrol received a license plate alert for a vehicle with a suspended registered owner. Officer Miklos conducted a registration check of the black Hyundai and confirmed that the owner was suspended for an unpaid traffic fine as well as expired since August. Additionally, the vehicle returned as an uninsured vehicle. Officer Miklos observed the vehicle traveling southbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive in the 5500 block and initiated a traffic stop via overhead emergency lights. Officer Miklos met with the driver and advised her for the reason of the stop. The driver advised that she was aware that her license was suspended due to a previous citation being in collections. The driver advised that she was waiting for her income tax return to pay off the citation. At this time, Officer Miklos requested the driver’s registration and proof of insurance. The driver advised that she did not currently have insurance for the vehicle she was driving. Officer Miklos requested the driver park her vehicle at the 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive instead of being on the side of the road. Officer Miklos returned to his vehicle and issued a criminal citation for driving while license suspended with knowledge. Additionally, the driver was issued a citation for not having proof of insurance and a warning for driving with an expired license. The driver was able to call a valid driver to pick up her vehicle and advised they had an estimated arrival of 3:30 p.m. The driver acknowledged her Manatee County Court date of March 15. The driver was advised she could not drive her vehicle until her license was valid. Case clear.
Feb. 5
Construction
7:22 a.m.
Officer Pescuma responded to the 3300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to construction noise. Prior to arriving on scene, Officer Pescuma notified the caller and advised her that there is a town wide waiver for an exception to sound regulations has been issued for construction ativity associated with hurricane related storm damage only and the allowed hours are as follows:
Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday/Holidays no construction noise allowed.
The waiver expires May 1, 2025.
The caller stated that she was unaware if there were any exceptions due to the hurricane. Case clear.
Parking
1:21 p.m.
Officer Pescuma was dispatched to Wedge Lane in reference to two suspicious vehicle NCIC/FCIC shows that the vehicles were not reported stolen or abandoned. There were no occupants and the vehicle was not derelict. Upon further investigation the owner of the gold Chrysler minivan resides at Birdie Lane and went fishing with a neighbor of the caller. The 2023 gray Hyundai SUV is visiting a neighbor. No suspicious activity was observed, caller was notified and advised. Case clear.
Fire
1:22 p.m.
Officer Van Dyke was dispatched to the 3400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a rescue assist for a gas line break. Upon arrival, Officer Van dyke smelled the odor of natural gas, therefore he blocked north and southbound traffic just south of the incident as Longboat Key Fire Department was enroute. Several units responded and the utility company arrived shortly afterwards. It was determined that a four inch pipe was cut into by contractors working on the property. Longboat Key Fire handled the case, therefore nothing further to report. Case clear.
Feb. 6
Boat
2:05 a.m.
Officer Troyer while on patrol and conducting a routine business check at the restaurant on Broadway observed a large watercraft docked at the restaurant. The dock had a sign which said “No Overnight docking” as well. Officer Troyer did not observe any vessel registration numbers on the vessel either. As Officer Troyer approached the vessel, he observed lights on the inside and heard a coughing noise coming from someone inside of the vessel. Officer Troyer announced his presence and was greeted by a man. Officer Troyer informed the man why he was contacting him, as he was docked and there was signs posted to prevent this. Officer Troyer asked him if he had permission to be docked there to which the man said he did. The man told Officer Troyer that he had dinner at the restaurant and one of the hostesses gave him verbal permission to dock overnight as he had just arrived into the area from Massachusetts. Based on his contact and the time of night, Officer Troyer had no way of verifying if the man had permission to dock overnight, but did not have any calls for service for him being there. Officer Troyer cleared the scene afterwards. Case clear.
Vehicle
9:22 p.m.
Sgt. Montfort while on patrol noticed a vehicle traveling south on Gulf of Mexico Drive that did not dim its headlights. Sgt. Montfort ran the driver’s information through ELVIS and the information stated the driver had an active warrant for her arrest through Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear for a criminal arraignment on a misdemeanor charge. Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and the warrant was confirmed active. The driver was placed under arrest and hand cuffed. She was then transported to the Sarasota County Jail for booking. Upon arrival at the jail, the driver was turned over to jail staff without incident. The driver’s car was inventoried by Officer Troyer and given to the towing company. Case clear.
