Longboat Key Cops Corner: An alarming morning

Friday, Nov. 5

An alarming morning

7:18 a.m., 6400 block of Gulfside Road

Alarm: A residential intruder alarm drew the attention of police, who went to the home to investigate, finding a door leading to the property’s master bedroom open. The pair of officers looked around, finding nothing suspicious. A check of the door revealed it would not latch properly. With no sign of a forced entry, the officers concluded the door could have blown open in the wind. A property keyholder confirmed the officers’ observations that nothing seemed suspicious inside.

Towed and ticketed

9:40 a.m., 6900 block of Bayside Road

Abandoned vehicle: What started as a report of an improperly parked vehicle on town property ended with the car being towed from the scene and a parking citation issued. Police received a call about the vehicle parked partially in the roadway and learned from several citizens it had arrived around 2:30 a.m. carrying several, apparently intoxicated, occupants. No wants or warrants were associated with the 2010 Toyota, which was registered to a Bradenton man, but it was obstructing traffic. A wrecker was called and the vehicle was towed away, with information about the officer’s actions left on the car’s passenger seat.

Pump up the volume

12:36 p.m., 3400 block of Bayou Sound

Suspicious incident: A call to police regarding the high-pitched sound of some kind of motor at a residence prompted an officer to investigate. The officer discovered the sound was that of a pool pump. The officer told a neighbor for reasons of liability he was not empowered to shut off the equipment for the residents, who were out of town. The neighbor said he did not have a means to contact the residents but would contact the neighborhood association to determine what can be done.

Saturday, Nov. 6

We’re good

7:07 p.m., 500 block of St. Judes Drive

Rescue assist: Police responded along with fire-rescue personnel on a report of a fall at a business. The responding officer was advised police assistance was not required, and he returned to patrol duty.

Sunday, Nov. 7

Not shot

3:41 p.m., 4200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious incident: A resident who thought a glass door had been struck with a bullet called police. Officers determined no shot had been fired, but they discovered a glass tabletop on the residence’s third-floor beachfront balcony had blown over, hitting the door. Damage was estimated at $4,000.

Navigation situation

10:17 a.m., 500 block of Ketch Lane

Boating call: The police department received a copy of a complained filed with the town’s code enforcement office regarding a large vessel moored to a residential dock. The complaint focused on the size of the vessel and the remaining space in the canal for boats to safely pass. The town’s marine patrol officer took the police department’s 32-foot Yellowfin patrol boat to the canal to the canal, noted the location and size of the vessel in the complaint and was able to safely make passage in and out of the canal. The officer reconnected with the person who made the initial complaint and relayed his findings, noting the matter was not a police concern but rather one more suited for a homeowners’ association. The officer said the resident was welcome to contact police or code enforcement for any further issues.

Monday, Nov. 8

No trouble

10:57 a.m., 600 block of Halyard Lane

Alarm: Police came to a home in response to an activated intruder alarm. Officers learned the alarm had been inadvertently triggered by a nearby construction crew. Nothing suspicious was found.

Hello, darkness, my old friend

10:17 p.m., 500 block of Putter Lane

Suspicious incident: An unknown caller to police reported seeing flashlights moving about at a nearby residence. When an officer arrived, he learned from the property owner there had been some kind of power failure at the home and that an electrician had been called on an emergency basis. The homeowner was advised of the town ordinances regarding contractors working past 5 p.m., and the work ceased.

Tuesday, Nov. 9

Tree trouble

9:13 a.m., 5200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Citizen dispute: An officer was sent to the scene of a dispute between two neighbors regarding tree cutting and property lines. The officers learned that both parties had no documentation of tree ownership or land boundaries. The officer was told the ongoing issue would be brought to the attention of the homeowner associate president, because no criminal offense had been committed.

Bird rescue

11:36 a.m., Longboat Key Club Moorings

Animal complaint: The town’s marine patrol officer, while in the area of the Longboat Key Club’s marina, spotted a cormorant acting unusually. It appeared injured, lethargic and unable to fly. The officer was able to capture the bird and brought it to Save our Seabirds. Staff there retrieved the bird from the police officer and said the bird’s condition was consistent with a reaction to red tide conditions.

Uncovering the problem       

7:38 p.m., 600 block of Norton Street

Citizen assist: An officer learned from emergency dispatchers that a resident called authorities to report an interruption in water service. An employee of the town’s Public Works Department told the officer there had been a nearby issue with underground utilities which had required a localized water-service shutdown, but service had just been restored. The officer reconnected with the caller to explain what had happened.

Thursday, Nov. 11

It’s that time of year

12:48 p.m., 1400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Traffic hazard: A caller reported to police a tractor-trailer rig parked along Gulf of Mexico Drive while delivering a vehicle, a violation of state law. The truck and its driver were cleared of any wants and warrants through a national crime-information database. The driver was cited for the infraction and explained his options for unloading and delivering the vehicle.