The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
May 9
Property
10:19 a.m.
Officer Van Dyke was dispatched to Bayside Drive in reference to property damage. Upon arrival, Officer Van Dyke spoke with the contractor who advised that he drover over a large metal grate in an effort to avoid driving on a nearby resident’s grass. Unfortunately, the back-end/rear tire of the red forklift fell into a large storm drain due to a rusty grate collapsing into the hold upon bearing the weight of the forklift. Officer Van Dyke then spoke with the caller who said he was simply concerned with getting his materials dropped off on his property. The caller is an employee of a landscape supply located in Bradenton. Although the truck wasn’t involved it was insured by an insurance company, and Longboat Public Works was notified of the incident, in order to repair the grate. Case clear.
Assist agency
12:41 p.m.
Officer Barrett and Officer Mathis were dispatched to the north beach of Lido Key to assist the City of Sarasota with a vessel operating recklessly near the beach with swimmers in the water. Upon arrival, officers located the man operating the vessel. The man was attempting to retrieve his friend who intentionally entered the water from the boat but could not get her back into the boat due to the swift current. Officer Mathis was able to approach the woman and assist her into the police boat. She was then transported to a nearby dock where she was reunited with her friend. Case clear.
Boat
1:45 p.m.
Officer Barrett responded to a suspicious boat call off the beach at the 3000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Barret responded and located the vessel anchored unoccupied with a bow and stern anchor, approximately 300 yards off the beach. The cabin and cockpit area of the vessel is covered with a white canvass cover. The registered owner of the Bessel was identified and attempts were made to contact him by phone with negative results. Due to the registration being expired, a uniform boating citation was prepared and sent to the boat owner via certified mail. Case clear.
Argument
6:15 p.m.
Officer Troyer responded to Longboat Drive South on the report of a disturbance. Officer Troyer met with the complainant that stated he confronted the neighbor whom was cutting the neighbor’s grass about working after 5 p.m. The complainant said his neighbor and he began verbally arguing back and forth because the neighbor did not like the way the complainant approached him, and the neighbor was just trying to finish work. The complainant said prior to the officer’s arrival, he and the neighbor made up and settled the argument civilly. Officer Troyer spoke with the neighbor whom reported a similar story. The complainant and neighbor both shook hands and agreed there was no hard feelings between both. Case clear.
May 10
Noise
9:00 p.m.
Officer Troyer was dispatched to a restaurant on Broadway on a report of loud music. The complainant called police and reported loud music coming from the restaurant. Upon arrival, Officer Troyer observed the loud music which the complainant reported. The restaurant appeared to be having a music event. Officer Troyer spoke with management and provided them with the complainant. The restaurant management agreed to turn the music down and address the issue. Officer Troyer also provided them with information pertaining to the noise ordinance of Longboat Key. Case clear.
Property
9:13 p.m.
Officer Ericsson responded to Bay Isles Parkway on a call about property damage. Upon arrival, Officer Ericsson contacted the security guard. The security guard stated that on May 10, a dark colored vehicle struck the electronic gate arm, knocking it to the ground at the north gate. The security guard said the vehicle was traveling west toward Bay Isles and struck the gate and continued driving. The security guard stated there is video but the video is blurry and the vehicle make, model, color or license plate could not be determined.
May 12
Alarm
7:22 a.m.
Officer Maple responded to an alarm call at the 400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Maple arrived and canvassed the area and found no signs of criminal activity or forced entry at the scene. Officer Maple contacted the manager of the restaurant. The manager stated workers had inadvertently activated the alarm when they arrived for their morning shift. Officer Maple cleared the scene after confirming no criminal activity had occurred at the location. Case clear.
Incident
3:33 p.m.
Officer Tillman responded to Sands Pointe for a report of a suspicious incident. Longboat Key Fire Department arrived along with the Police Department. A package was mailed from U.S. Postal Service and according to the postal package was labeled to Springfield, Missouri and mailed it to Longboat Key. The complainant said they did not know the person or the area where the package was sent from. Inside the package appeared to have been rotten fruit. The address in question is listed as upward promotions plus a graphic design company. Case clear.
May 14
Marine rescue
2:44 p.m.
Officer Mathis was dispatched to the 1100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a marine rescue. A 911 caller advised the call taker that a small vessel was on fire about two miles out from shore. Officer Mathis responded to the patrol vessel and upon approval from Sgt. Montfort, launched from the whaler lift and responded to the general area. Upon exiting New Pass all emergency response was canceled by Longboat Key Fire Department. No Police assistance was needed as contact was made with the occupants of the vessel and everything was okay.
Drugs
8:16 p.m.
Officer Butler while on patrol, received a target alert service license plate reader hit of a northbound vehicle from the sound end of Gulf of Mexico Drive with the registered owner having a suspended/revoked/cancelled driver’s license. Officer Butler found the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Officer Butler performed an NCIC/FCIC query confirming that the registered owner of the vehicle had a suspended license. Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Butler smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The driver rolled down her passenger window and the officer smelled a waft of marijuana (unburned). Officer Butler explained the reason for the traffic stop as she was not the registered owner. Based on the other factors, Officer Butler requested the operator’s driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. The driver produced a valid Florida Driver’s license and was identified. She provided a valid insurance and registration as well. Officer Butler inquired about the marijuana and she gave Officer Butler the bag of a green leafy substance and added that it was in fact marijuana. Officer Butler asked if she had a medical marijuana card and she said no. Upon her voluntarily giving Officer Butler the marijuana, he conducted a field test using a marijuana kit. Officer Butler and Officer Ericsson took the marijuana to the station house and cited the driver with marijuana possession of 20 grams or less, front head lamp out and a sound violation from the vehicle. The driver was released from the scene.
May 15
Citizen assist
9:28 a.m.
Officer Mathis was dispatched to St. Judes Drive North in reference to potential property damage. Upon arrival, Officer Mathis met with the complainant who advised a tractor trailer came down the street and could have possibly damaged property. The complainant advised that he didn’t think such a big truck should be on St. Judes Drive North with such a limited space for him to operate. The complainant further advised that if these types of deliveries continue, it’s only a matter of time before property damage occurs. The complainant was unable to get the delivery company name or a registration information from the tractor trailer. At the time of the report, no calls for service were received in regard to any property damage from this particular delivery. Case clear.
