Longboat Key Cops Corner: No parking, no fishing

July 6

Pool day!

9:58 a.m., 2700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Noise complaint: An officer responding to a complaint of noise found a pool pump running louder than normal. The officer relayed the complaint and his findings to the property manager,  who said a technician would check out the pool equipment.

Suddenly, traction

3:52 p.m., 1100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious vehicle: Police were sent to check out a report of a vehicle off the side of the road, stuck in the sand. Upon an officer’s arrival, the vehicle had extricated itself and was gone.

July 7

Not that kind of drifting

9:21 a.m., 2600 block of Harbourside Drive

Citizen assist: Police connected with the owner of a sailboat that had drifted near the channel markers of a marina. Using the vessel’s registration number, an officer called the owner who said he would have the boat removed and returned to its mooring spot.

Not a break in

12:55 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway

Citizen assist: Two officers and a supervisor drove to a retail parking lot on a report of a possible vehicle burglary in progress. Police learned the person seen trying to open a vehicle was the owner who had locked keys inside. With the help of an officer, the owner was able to open the vehicle door and recover the keys. The owner thanked police and was on his way.

July 8

By the book

1:06 p.m., Linley Street boat ramp

Citizen assist: Police left notes on two vehicles parked in the lot at the Linley Street boat ramp, telling them the lot was off limits to employees of nearby businesses. A call to police informed the department of the improper parking.

But, he wore a mask

4:46 p.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Animal complaint: Police responded to a complaint of a raccoon nearby a condominium community. An officer reported spotting a small raccoon in some woods, eating. The animal did not appear injured or aggressive. Animal Control officers were not required.

Service with a (dog) smile

7:51 p.m., 2800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Dog on the beach: Police spoke to an out of town dog owner about a complaint made about the animal on the beach. The dog owner said the four-legged companion was a service animal. Police told the owner to have a nice evening.

July 10

Full ahead!

1:40 p.m., Greer Island

Boating call: The town’s marine patrol officer stopped   a personal watercraft and spoke to its operator about excessive speed in a no-wake zone. The operator said the vessel was overheating after running through shallow water and he was trying to get to shore. The operator was issued a verbal warning.

July 11

Arrrr, matey!

10:53 a.m., 6700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious incident: A beachfront resident reported to police finding a black chest buried in the sand about 20 yards into the surf. Several people tried to dig the 2½-foot long by 2 feet wide chest but none were successful. Police reported not seeing the chest in the higher tide. The caller said he would re-establish contact with police if the chest could be seen in lower tide.  

It’s a BIKE lane

5:15 p.m., 5800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Traffic hazard: A police officer stopped while on patrol to remove three trash cans from the bicycle lane in front of a condominium community.

July 12

Tough day at work

11:48 a.m., 700 block of Old Compass Road

Citizen assist: The driver of a trash-collection truck called police to report work vehicles parked in a cul-de-sac that prevented the vehicle from safely maneuvering. An officer spoke to the supervisor of the construction crew and told him to ensure his crew parked to allow emergency and other government vehicles access, especially on Mondays and Thursdays, when trash is collected.

Pipe down

12:34 a.m., 2600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Noise: Police arrived at the beach to find a group of people dispersing and and leaving following an earlier complaint of about 10 people singing.

Delivery: Incomplete

5:28 p.m., 5800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Traffic hazard: An officer on patrol encountered couch pillows on the roadway. He stopped and removed the debris.

July 16

Found

5:50 p.m., Lido Beach

Agency assistance: The town’s marine patrol officer headed south toward Lido Beach to help Sarasota Police search for a missing child. Before the officer could arrive on the scene, a good Samaritan had found the child, who was reunited with his parents.

No parking, no fishing

10:24 p.m., 700 block of Broadway Street

Citizen assist: Police responded to a complaint from a would-be angler who was upset there was no available public parking at the Linley Street boat ramp. The officer explained that while parking in the are is limited, every vehicle there was properly parked. The caller said she would try to fish another evening.