The following are actual police reports as written by Longboat Key Police Officers. They are edited for length, punctuation and to protect privacy.
May 20
Boating citation
9:11 a.m.
Sgt. Smith was dispatched to Bayside Drive for a report of a boat that had lost its anchor and was drifting towards the complaints dock. Sgt. Smith arrived and there were several subjects trying to push the vessel away from striking the dock. Sgt. Smith made contact with the Manatee Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, Longboat Key Fire rescue and U.S. Coast Guard, all agencies stated they would not be able to respond to move the vehicle from the shore. Attempts to locate the owner met with negative results. At approximately 4:38 p.m. the owner arrived on scene and moved the vessel away from the dock and shore and reset the anchor. The owner signed the citation and stated he deserved the citation and would pay it. Case clear.
May 21
Welfare check
2:14 p.m.
Officer Nazareno was dispatched to Gulfside Road for a welfare check. Prior to Officer Nazareno’s arrival, he contacted the complainant who advised that he has not heard from his wife or mother since the night of May 20. He also stated that he repeatedly tried to call both their cell phones throughout the day and did not get any response. He also said they drove a black Lincoln. The complainant was unable to provide the exact address where they were staying and tracked his wife’s cell phone to the corner of Gulfside Road and Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Nazareno was able to locate a black Lincoln which was registered to the wife. Officer Nazareno then made contact with the wife and her mother as they were returning from the beach. Officer Nazareno advised the wife that her husband was unable to reach their cell phones throughout the day and needed to call back her husband as soon as possible. The wife advised that they did not bring their cell phones to the beach. Case closed.
May 22
Litter
4:58 p.m.
Sgt. Smith while on patrol, observed several pieces of furniture that had been placed in the road right-of-way. Sgt. Smith attempted to locate the person responsible with negative results and there were no cameras in the area. Sgt. Smith sent an email to Public Works to inform them of the debris. Case clear.
May 23
Citizen assist
1:36 p.m.
Officer Connors responded to Harbourside Drive for a report of a civil issue regarding a contractor. The person advised that the flooring work that was agreed to be conducted by said contractor was missing material, not installed properly, and incomplete. The party advised that she has yet to question the contractor or the business in regards to the work. Officer Connors advised the person that the current matter is civil and directed the party of the civil process. Case clear.
Traffic warning
9:09 p.m.
Sgt. Smith while on patrol, observed a vehicle with no headlights travelling north on Gulf of Mexico Drive and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Sgt. Smith made contact with the driver and she stated she was unable to get the lights to work. Sgt. Smith made a check of the driver through NCIC/FCIC and the return indicated negative wants and warrants. Case clear.
May 24
Boating citation
2:40 p.m.
Officer Connors while on marine patrol in the area of Sister Keys, observed a boat operating on place with an excessive wake, outside the Intercoastal Waterway, in a posted “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake” zone. Officer Connors conducted a vessel stop and advised the operator of the violation. Due to the operator’s age, a boater’s safety card was requested in which the operator was unable to produce. Officer Connors also observed no registration numbers on the port side and was unable to produce registration paperwork. Officer Connors issued the operator citation for no boater’s safety card and a warning for the other violations. Case clear.
Found property
4:04 p.m.
Officer Hodo while on patrol, was dispatched to the 4500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive in reference to a found phone on the beach. Officer Hodo arrived and made contact with the complainant. The complainant stated that she was walking on the beach and discovered a phone in the sand with no one around. The complainant stated that she called the police to turn the property over. The complainant made no further comments. Officer Hodo check for any identifying markings on the phone with negative results. Officer Hodo attempted to check for phone numbers and noted that the phone was locked. Officer Hodo placed the phone into property. No further investigation. Case clear.
May 25
Suspicious person
3:56 a.m.
Officer Montfort while on patrol, observed a man pushing a shopping cart along the 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Officer Montfort made contact with the man who was walking with traffic in the bicycle lane. The man was wearing clothing and wrapped in a shower curtain. Officer Montfort attempted to communicate with the man but he appeared to be Haitian and only spoke French Creole. Sgt. Puccio and Officer Montfort then were able to direct the man toward the sidewalk which was a safer location to walk. Officer Montfort was unable to attain his name and date of birth due to the language barrier. While speaking with the man, Officer Montfort observed that the cart contained a sign, some vegetation and an old boat bumper. Case clear.
Patrol request
8:02 p.m.
Sgt. Puccio while conducting nightly business security checks, Sgt. Puccio discovered the front door to Bay Isles Road at Town Hall unsecured. Upon the discovery, Sgt. Puccio conducted an interior and exterior check of the building which all appeared normal with no signs of foul play or forced entry present. Sgt. Puccio further discovered that a town employee was present, the door was able to be secured. Nothing further.
May 26
Noise complaints
6:55 a.m.
Sgt. Smith was dispatched to Longboat Drive South for a report of a construction noise. Upon arrival, Sgt. Smith arrived and did not observe any violations. Sgt. Smith made contact with the construction worker and he said he had set up the concrete pump truck prior to his arrival, and that was the noise the complainant might have heard. Sgt. Smith informed him of the town ordinance and he stated he would make sure int eh future not to start before 8 a.m., case clear.
Welfare check
7:33 a.m.
Sgt. Smith was dispatched for a welfare check on the Longboat Pass Bridge that appeared to be a possible person in medical distress. Sgt. Smith arrived and made contact with the subject and his wife and they stated they were in no need of emergency services and were just exercising. Case clear.
