New Pass graffiti could be gang-related

Graffiti found under New Pass Bridge could be gang-related, according to a Longboat Key police report.

The report states that Officer Shawn Nagell was patrolling the area shortly after midnight Monday, Dec. 5, when he observed several pieces of graffiti, such as “SUR 13” and “SOTA 941 County.” Police photographed the scene, and the photo card was placed into evidence. The report states that there are no suspects at this time and that Public Works will be notified about the graffiti via email.

SUR 13 is a local Sarasota-Manatee area gang, according to Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle, who said that the photographs would be forwarded to the Manatee and Sarasota county sheriff offices and the Sarasota Police Department, which has a gang officer.

Hogle said that the incident was the only case of suspected gang-related graffiti that he could recall from his more than eight years with the department.

“Generally, they don’t come out to the beaches, which is a good thing for us,” he said. “They seem to be more oriented to municipalities.”

Despite the rarity of gang-related activity on barrier islands, the town has monitored incidents in the past, including a shooting that occurred just north of the Key, on Coquina Beach, on Easter Sunday in 2007.

Although police have responded to multiple instances of fighting and mischief in Overlook Park, located just west of the New Pass Bridge, Hogle said there doesn’t seem to be a connection to local gangs.

“I’ve seen nothing that any of it was gang-related,” he said. “Most of it seems to be related to alcohol and poor behavior.