Longboat police enforce rules to keep dogs off the beach

Friday, May 12

Wrong button

3:21 p.m., 5500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious incident: An officer was dispatched to the area from a report of a driver having pushed their vehicle’s SOS button. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with the driver who said he had accidentally pushed the button when trying to open his sunroof. 

Safe and secure

10:21 p.m., Gulf of Mexico Drive/Longboat Club Road 

Traffic hazard: While driving southbound, the officer observed a vehicle in the right-turn lane with its hazard lights flashing. The driver told the officer the stop had been to secure the removable roof to the vehicle and no further assistance was needed. 

Saturday, May 13

No violations

3:08 p.m., Greer Island 

Boat-miscellaneous: An officer was dispatched to the area on report of five personal watercraft operating erratically, close to shore. Upon arrival, the officer observed no violations, but spoke to operators in the area and educated them on boating rules. 

Already warned 

3:25 p.m., Greer Island 

Dog on the beach: While on marine patrol, the officer observed two golden retrievers running on the beach. From the vessel’s public-address system, he advised the owner that dogs were not allowed on the beach. He got closer and verbally advised the owner. The dogs were put on a pontoon boat. About 10 minutes later, the officer observed the dogs back on the beach. After beaching his vessel, he asked the dog’s owner for his identification and wrote a citation for the violation. The owner claimed he had not heard previous warnings. 

Monday, May 15 

Delivery mishap

9:23 a.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Property damage, not vandalism: A delivery truck struck cable lines at Ace Hardware, prompting a call to the police. The officer met with the delivery driver, who said he did not see the lines and the top of his truck hit them, knocking them off the pole. There were no signs of injury and parties said they will settle the incident privately. 

Lost, found, returned quickly 

9:30 a.m., 100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Found property: An officer was flagged down by Longboat Key Public Works. Staff had found a wallet in Overlook Park. The officer was able to locate the owner, turned over the wallet and had the individual sign a property receipt. 

Tuesday, May 16

Hot dog

2:00 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway 

Animal complaint: Officers were called to the scene of a dog locked in a vehicle with the windows shut and engine turned off. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the caller, who pointed out the vehicle. The dog was barking when approached, but was not showing signs of distress. The owner of the car and dog spoke with officers and told them the dog had only been left in the car for about 15 minutes and was used to the heat. When the vehicle door was opened, the dog appeared to be in good health. The dashboard and interior of the vehicle was not hot to the touch. The owner was advised to not leave his pet unattended for an extended period of time. 

Wednesday, May 17

Nothing to see here 

8:42 p.m., 6300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Suspicious person: A caller told police there was a drone flying over the water, dropping bait while multiple people were swimming. Officers checked the area and did not see anything that matched the scene described. 

Thursday, May 18

Needing construction parking

11:00 a.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway 

Abandoned vehicle/boat: Police met with a store manager, who called about two abandoned vehicles. He told the officer that the vehicles had been parked in the same spots for several days. Construction equipment needed to be parked in the area, but the abandoned vehicles were preventing it. Because the vehicles were parked on private property, the LBKPD is not allowed to tow them. The officer told the manager to call a towing company to have them moved on his behalf. 

Waiting for a spare

11:40 p.m., 5000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Citizen assist: A vehicle was parked on the shoulder of the southbound lane of Gulf of Mexico Drive. The officer pulled over to check out the situation and observed the driver changing a flat rear right tire. The driver said a relative was on the way with a spare tire. 

Friday, May 19

Not a locksmith

3:12 a.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Citizen assist: A resident called police saying he or she was locked out of their hotel room. Security told officers they were assisting the guest and an engineer had been called to resolve the issue.