The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
April 15
Suspicious incident
10:33 a.m.
Officer Nagell responded to Byron Lane for a report of people cutting down trees in the area. Upon his arrival, Officer Nagell met with the complainant who was upset that workers in the area of Winding Oaks were cutting down vegetation around the pond. Officer Nagell advised her that so long as they did not cut any protected species they were within their rights to do landscaping work on the bank. Officer Nagell then responded to Winding Oaks and spoke with the homeowner who stated that the work was being done at the request of the Association to beautify the area. Case closed.
Boat incident
1:29 p.m.
Officer Nagell responded to the 3600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a report of an abandoned boat. Upon Officer Nagell’s arrival, he met with the complainant who related that a 9-12 foot aluminum row boat has been stuck in the mangroves behind the property for the past several days. The complainant showed Officer Nagell the boat which appeared heavily encrusted, taking on water with two oars, a plastic bucket and dried leaves and branches in it. The vessel plate is missing and the numbers are unreadable. The boat does not appear to be sea worthy. Officer Nagell was able to secure the boat onto the shore to stop it from becoming a hazard to navigation. An email was sent to Public Works to have the boat removed. Case clear.
Suspicious person
4:03 p.m.
Officer Nagell responded to the 3500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive for a report of a suspicious person. The caller did not wish to meet and described the subject as smoking in a no smoking area, a 60-ish year-old male, and she did not know what he was wearing or where he went. Upon Officer Nagell’s arrival, he met with the man who is an owner and stated that he was the only one smoking in the area. Officer Nagell found no suspicious individuals around. Case clear.
Littering
7:44 p.m.
Officer Montfort responded to North Shore Road for a littering complaint. Officer Montfort arrived in the area and was greeted by the caller. The caller stated a vehicle was parked and after leaving a bag of Chick-fil-A. Officer Montfort observed the name on the receipt. Officer Montfort called the phone number listed on the receipt and Officer Montfort spoke to the man and he advised the reason of his contact and stated that he must have left the garbage by accident. Officer Montfort further advised the man that he would be receiving a littering citation to his home address. Case clear.
April 16
Animal complaint
10:41 a.m.
Officer Hodo responded to the 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a dog in the car unattended. Officers arrived and located that the vehicle with two dogs with the windows open. Officers noted that the owner walked up to the vehicle and advised that he was checking on his dog while playing pickle ball. Nothing further, case clear.
Noise complaint
9:08 p.m.
Officer Montfort responded to Yawl Lane for a report of a noise complaint. It was reported that there was loud music playing and a party. Officer Montfort arrived at the residence and could hear a substantial amount of music coming from the rear of the residence. Officer Montfort was then greeted by the homeowner who was advised of the complaint. The woman agreed to shut the music down in compliance with the town ordinance.
April 17
Suspicious incident
1:03 a.m.
Officer Montfort while on patrol in the 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive at Bayfront Park, observed two kayaks near the water’s edge and appeared that they were just in the water. Officer Montfort canvassed the area and was unable to locate anyone. Officer Montfort observed that the kayaks matched the rentals that are on site. It appeared that the kayaks were late returns and not put away properly. Case clear.
Trespassing
4:04 p.m.
Officer Nagell responded to the 3800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in regard to a trespassing complaint. Upon his arrival, Officer Nagell spoke with the complainant who advised that he believed a group had taken private chairs from the Association area. Officer Hodo made contact with the man and a small group that were on the public aspect of the beach. The man explained that he was unaware that the chairs were not part of the beach and available for use. Officer Nagell explained to him that the chairs in fact were the association’s and needed to be returned immediately. The group apologized and promptly put the chairs and umbrellas back where they were found.
April 18
Welfare check
6:13 p.m.
Officer Macniven responded to the Longboat Key Bridge on a welfare check of swimmers. Upon his arrival, Officer Macniven observed four swimmers close to shore wading in the water. They did not appear in distress. Officer Macniven spoke with the bridge tender who stated he was watching the swimmers and thought they were getting close to the current. He just called as a precaution. He stated they were all accounted for. Case clear.
Suspicious incident
8:12 p.m.
Officer Nazareno responded to Bayou Sound for a suspicious incident call regarding people yelling in the area. Upon arrival, Officer Nazareno observed a group of children playing with an adult walking alongside them. The children were not yelling or screaming at the time and no other suspicious activity was seen or heard. The caller did not want to be contacted.
April 19
Noise complaints
7:47 a.m.
Sgt. Smith responded to Cedar Street for a report of construction work starting before 8 a.m. Sgt. Smith arrived and made contact with the complainant, he related that the noise was wood being moved and a forklift back up beeper. Sgt. Smith made contact with the project manager who stated he has informed all of the subcontractors and will be putting it out again not to start any work before 8 a.m. Sgt. Smith explained that the next violation will be issued to the individual. Case closed.
April 20
Citizen assist
11:33 a.m.
Officer Hodo responded to the 3000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a flood light. Officer Hodo arrived and made contact with the complainant who stated that his neighbor across the water way at night has bright floor light that shines in his window at night. The complainant stated that he is not sure what the address location is. The complainant made no further comments. Officer Hodo was unable to determine where the light source was coming from during the day time hours. Officer Hodo will contact the night shift for possible followup. No further investigation. Case clear.
Suspicious person
3:33 p.m.
Officer Hodo responded to Harbor Cay Lane in reference to a suspicious person sitting near a boat dock. Officers arrived and made contact with the complainant. The complainant stated that she watched the mentioned paddling his boat with a small piece of wood to the dock. The complainant stated that the person looked tired and was resting. The complainant said that the person was sitting on the boat dock when the police arrived and he did not do any further activity other than resting. Officers approached the man and noted that he had no oars for his boat. Officer Hodo noted that the man was on Schooner Lane earlier today padding using the wall making his way north. Officers ran the man through FCIC/NCIC for warrants that returned negative. Officers noted that the general area had not been tampered with and the complainant stated she was watching the man the whole time until the police arrived. Officers advised the mentioned to rest on the small islands not on someone’s property for future use. The owners of the residence were not at home. Nothing further.
