Officer investigates 2 people walking into Longboat at night

Friday, Feb. 9

A shaky story 

1:24 a.m., 7200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious Person: While on patrol, a Longboat Key officer spotted two men dressed in dark clothing walking onto Longboat Key from Longboat Pass bridge. The officer approached the two men, who said they work at a restaurant on the island and left work about an hour prior. They said they went home and then returned to go for a walk on Longboat Key, and that they parked their car on the other side of the Longboat Pass Bridge by the Coquina boat ramp. The officer checked out the ramp, and found just one car that came back as registered to someone else. The two men agreed to go back to their vehicle and return home. 

Come back later

6:30 a.m., 6600 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Noise Disturbance: Dispatch sent an officer to respond to a noise disturbance caused by construction before allowable working hours. Upon arrival, the officer saw a truck backing into a driveway and heard the rear backing alarm blaring. The officer spoke with the driver and told him of the town ordinance that prohibits construction noise before 8 a.m. The driver said he would come back at 8 a.m. Then, another employee of the construction company showed up on the scene and apologized for the disturbance. No previous noise complaints or warnings were found for the employees, so the officer let the crew off with a warning. 

Saturday, Feb. 10 

A minute to cool off

2:20 p.m., 2200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Disabled Vehicle: An officer saw a Cadillac parked on the side of Gulf of Mexico Drive, half in the grass and half in the bike lane. When the officer approached the vehicle, the driver said his car was overheating so he pulled over to let the engine cool down. He said he did not need any assistance, but the officer stayed around to make sure the driver could get the car started safely, which it did. 

Sunday, Feb. 11

It can wait until tomorrow...

2:56 p.m., 700 block of Norton Street 

Officer Public Service: A citizen called in to report a water leak that was forming a puddle in the road. When the officer arrived on scene and found the water, the officer contacted a Public Works employee. The Public Works employee asked the officer to send a video of the leak so Public Works could assess the situation. It was determined that it was a small leak and that Public Works would address it first thing the next morning. 

Monday, Feb. 12

Package problems

4:10 p.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Civil Disturbance: Officers were dispatched to a civil disturbance between two business owners. At the scene, one owner said his neighbor was blocking the entrance of his store with displays for her shop. He said it was an issue because her displays were affecting package deliveries. An argument broke out when he brought this up to her. An officer spoke with the other business owner, who said some of the packages in question blocked the entrance to her shop. The officer was able to work out the disagreement between the two business owners and the two came to a compromise. 

Tuesday, Feb. 13

Business unwelcome

5:47 p.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Disturbance: An officer met with a business owner (different from the ones mentioned above) for a report of a disturbance. The owner said a customer came in and was rude and cursing at her. She said she would like to have the customer trespassed next time he enters the store, and police advised her to call them next time he does. 

Wednesday, Feb. 14

Just a piece of plastic 

3:08 p.m., 1200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Officer Public Service: Dispatch asked an officer to investigate a report of a highway obstruction in the middle of the road, which was described as furniture. When the officer arrived at the scene, there was a small piece of a plastic shelf or table in the middle of the road. The officer picked up the item and later disposed of it at the station.