- May 15, 2024
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Private beach chairs
2:52 p.m., 4800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious person: Police were called on a report of beachgoers using chairs that belonged to a nearby condo complex. The responding officer spoke with the caller, who said she just didn’t want them using the chairs that belonged to the complex. The officer spoke with the group and told them the chairs were not for public use. The group apologized and left without issue.
Unintentional pit stop
9:18 a.m., Longboat Pass Bridge
Traffic hazard: A car had broken down on the south end of Longboat Pass Bridge and the owner was unable to get it to start again. He told police he was unable to make contact with a towing company. The officer initiated a tow request via dispatch and was able to get a response and the vehicle towed. The officer stayed in the area, directing traffic until the vehicle was taken away.
Post-crash parking
9:30 a.m., 300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious vehicle: Security at the Longboat Key Club called police to report a suspicious vehicle parking in their human resources lot. Upon arrival, the responding officer ran a check of the vehicle and found it was involved in a crash on Friday evening. Security asked the vehicle be removed from the lot, but was advised by the office that since it was on private property it was the responsibility of the club to have it removed.
Saving the birds
12:00 p.m., Greer Island
Animal complaint: An officer was sent to the scene of a blue heron tangled in fishing line. Once the bird in question was located, the officer used the marine patrol boat hook to remove the line from the heron. The bird was able to fly away.
Right place, right time
4:08 p.m., Jewfish Key
Boat-miscellaneous: While on marine patrol, an officer was flagged down by a teenage male. He told the officer he and his father were kayaking near Jewfish Key and his father had not returned to shore. The officer surveyed the area and saw a male who fit the description struggling to upright his overturned kayak. The officer was able to get the man on the police boat and took him back to the boat ramp where his son was waiting. The man appeared uninjured but was fatigued.
Not sorry
7:13 p.m., 100 block of North Shore Road
Citizen dispute: Officers responded to the scene of a dispute on the beach. Two groups were having a verbal disagreement about the wind blowing a tent into the other party's area. The party with the tent was unapologetic about the situation. But before officers arrived at the scene, the parties were separated.
Parked and sleeping (in the park)
3:12 a.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious vehicle: While patrolling the area, an officer noticed a suspicious vehicle parked at Bayfront Park with its windows open, and it appeared to be occupied. The officer found the driver sleeping in the vehicle. A citation was issued.
Just guests
4:51 p.m., 2900 block of Royal Road
Suspicious person: An officer was sent to the property on a report of a suspicious person. The complainant said six people were seen walking around the property with their vehicles in the driveway. None of the individuals own the property. Upon arrival, the officer met with the owner of the residence. The owner said the individuals described were guests and allowed on the property.
Quick drop-off
1:32 p.m., 4200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Found property: An officer was stopped by a bicyclist who had found a purse in a nearby parking lot. The bicyclist was in a hurry and wanted to drop it off with the officer. The officer was able to get a hold of the purse’s owner and return her belongings.
Checking out a new toy
7:50 p.m., 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious vehicle: While driving southbound, the officer noticed a vehicle parked on the side of the road with the driver and passenger doors open and a purse on the floorboard. The officer was able to make contact with the driver and his wife. The couple had pulled over to check out a boat they had recently purchased. They returned to their vehicle and left without incident.
Paws off the sand
4:46 p.m., 2800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Dog on the beach: An officer was dispatched because of a dog on the beach. The person in question said she was not aware of the ordinance and prepared to leave the beach. The woman was issued a warning after a search showed no results of previous warnings for the same issue.
Lending a hand
6:30 a.m., Marina Jack
Agency assistance: An officer was sent to assist the Sarasota Police Department on a report of a missing person. The reporting party advised that when she woke up that morning her friend was not on the boat and the dinghy was missing. The dinghy was located anchored near the shore and the missing party was possibly seen on land. Longboat Key Police services were no longer needed.
Following a route
3:33 a.m., 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious vehicle: While on patrol, the officer noticed a vehicle driving quickly from one neighborhood to another. He observed the vehicle drive down a few roads in another neighborhood and through a stop sign without stopping. The officer conducted a traffic stop. The driver told the officer he was delivering newspapers to residents. He was able to produce a newspaper route sheet and a box of newspapers was in clear view of the officer.
Safer roads
3:10 p.m., 4600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Traffic hazard: While on patrol, an officer noticed debris in the roadway. Drivers had to maneuver their vehicles around it. The officer removed the debris from the road, eliminating the hazard.
