Major water leak prompts police and fire rescue collaboration

Friday, Aug. 11

Suspicious scooters 

10:32 p.m., 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Suspicious Vehicle: On a late-night patrol, a Longboat Key Police officer saw two rental scooters parked in a business' parking lot. While the officers ran the tags of the scooters, two individuals came to the front of the lot. Both said they were visiting from out of town and admiring the boats for sale on the lot. Neither was carrying any items or burglary tools. They were advised to return during normal business hours. 

Saturday, Aug. 12

Roadside assistance 

10:56 a.m., 2000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Citizen Assist: An officer on patrol noticed a car pulled over on the side of the road. The driver stated the car would not go into gear and she was waiting for a tow. The officer helped her push the car into the grass and off the road. 

No further assistance

1:30 p.m., North of Sister Keys 

Boat-Miscellaneous: A man on a 25-foot boat flagged down a Longboat Key Police Department marine patrol officer. The boat’s engine hatch was open and the owner asked if the officer could tow him to land. The officer said that was not possible, but he could call a towing service. The owner then said he did not want any assistance after all, since he was fine on the sandbar. He said a friend who also had a boat at the sandbar would help him out. 

Monday, Aug. 14 

Water shut off 

9:14 p.m., 5000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Citizen Assist: Police were dispatched to respond to a water main break. On scene, the responding officer saw a large hole in the ground with water shooting out. The water was gushing into a window that was causing the residential unit to flood. The caller failed to make contact with the condo management representative, so the responding officer called Longboat Key Fire Rescue for assistance. The fire rescue department dug around the break to locate the issue, and the battalion chief arrived on scene to shut off the water for the street. Residents nearby were advised water would be unavailable for the night. 

Wednesday, Aug. 16

False alarm 

7:09 p.m., 3000 block of Harbourside Drive 

Suspicious Incident: Construction equipment possibly being used prompted police response. The caller claimed the site manager had received an alert that a piece of equipment was started at the site. Upon arrival, the responding officer didn’t notice anything out of place and no equipment seemed to be running. The caller was advised that a thunderstorm had been going through Longboat Key. 

Thursday, Aug. 17 

Palm frond problems 

1:43 p.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Traffic Hazard: Police observed a stray palm frond blocking both lanes of traffic on GMD, causing vehicles to drive in the bike lanes. The officer removed the frond from the road and traffic returned to normal.