Driver was too busy with marriage to renew his license

Friday, March 29

Dolphin in distress 

11 a.m., Sarasota Bay 

Animal Problem: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium requested the help of Longboat Police to assist with a dolphin call. The officers transported Mote personnel from Ken Thompson Park to Long Bar. Mote staff evaluated and rescued the dolphin with the officers on standby. An additional Mote vessel was called to the scene to monitor the dolphin’s status, and the officers transported some Mote personnel back to Ken Thompson Park. 

Who owns the beach?

4:27 p.m., 6600 block of Gulfside Road 

Civil Disturbance: Dispatch sent officers to a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival at the scene, the officers spoke with a homeowner who said there were random people in front of his residence on his private beach and that he would like them to leave. An officer spoke with one of the beachgoers, who said her deed allows her to also have beach access, but she agreed to move to another part of the beach to avoid further conflict. 

Saturday, March 30

Problems for a new boat owner  

2:50 p.m., New Pass

Vehicle Stop: A marine patrol officer stopped a vessel that did not have registration properly displayed. The vessel’s operator said it was recently purchased and provided the bill of sale to the officer. But, it was past the 30-day grace period to have the boat registered. The officer also conducted a safety check, and it took the operator 10 minutes to locate a floatation throwable, which was not accessible according to the officer’s report. A citation was issued for the violation. 

Marriage first, then driver's license  

4 p.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Vehicle Stop: A license plate reader received a hit on a driver whose driver’s license expired over a year ago. An officer located the vehicle, stopped the driver and asked for the usual documentation. The driver provided a Turkish driver’s license and did not have proof of insurance. He gave the officer his old Florida driver’s license, and admitted he never renewed it. The officer said since he was living in the U.S. for over a year, the foreign driver’s license was invalid and he needed a Florida license. The driver said he understood, but said he was preoccupied with getting married. His father, who was in the car, had to drive the vehicle the rest of the way. 

Transport to safety 

5:37 p.m., Longboat Pass

Disabled Vehicle: While on marine patrol, an officer noticed a vessel disabled and anchored. Due to weather conditions and the state of the waters, the officer transported two women and two toddlers to a nearby restaurant, while the captain of the vessel waited for assistance for the boat. 

Monday, April 1

A quick cool-down  

10:41 a.m., Bayport Way

Disabled Vehicle: An officer responded to a report of a semi-truck in the roadway. The driver told the officer that the truck overheated and needed to sit there for about 30-40 minutes to cool down. The truck was in a northbound turn lane and obstructing the turn, but there was still room to turn, according to the officer’s report. A supervisor was notified of the situation.  

Tuesday, April 2

Bring your own chair

1:51 p.m., 1000 block of Longboat Club Road 

Suspicious Person: When an officer arrived at the scene, the complainant told the officer that there were several people on the beach using chairs and umbrellas that were for residents only. The officer went to the beach and spoke with the offenders, who said they didn't know the equipment was reserved for residents only. The family relocated away from the condo. 

Wednesday, April 3

Pedestrians first 

9:03 a.m., 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Vehicle Stop: While sitting on GMD, an officer witnessed a pickup truck fail to stop for pedestrians at a crosswalk. The officer conducted a stop, and asked the driver for his license. The driver said he did not have a license, and the officer issued a criminal traffic citation along with multiple others, according to the report. The officer told the driver he needed to have someone with a valid license come and take the truck. 

Thursday, April 4

Serious suspension 

1 a.m., 3900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Vehicle Stop: A license plate reader sent officers an alert about a driver with a suspended license. One officer on patrol located and stopped the vehicle. The driver said he knew his license was suspended but said he had to drive. The officer confirmed with a database that the driver’s license was revoked for 60 months. The driver was arrested and a tow truck was called to take the driver’s vehicle. 

Unproblematic ceremony 

2:54 p.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Officer Public Service: An officer was asked to be on standby at a ribbon-cutting ceremony because the business owner was worried about past employees causing a disturbance. All went on without incident, and the owner expressed gratitude to the police for being present.