Longboat Key Cops Corner: You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here

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Meanwhile, in Longbeach Village . . . 

Between Jan. 15-22, police issued at least 33 warnings in Longbeach Village in connection to the neighborhood's new resident-only parking permit system. Police are issuing warnings, but have cited vehicles that have been warned previously. 

Jan. 15

Can’t stay here

9:31 a.m., North Shore Road

Suspicious incident: A town employee alerted to police about possible campers on the beach at the north end of the island. An officer spoke to the people on the beach who said they had been there since 5 a.m. and planned to leave before sunset.

Jan. 16

All is well

12:43 a.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Unsecure premises: While conducting a routine security check of businesses, an officer found an unlocked side door. A check of the business’ interior revealed no signs of a break in.

Checking it out

6:48 a.m., 4900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Miscellaneous call: Police were called to a condominium complex on a report of a broken water pipe. An officer found the break and alerted the town’s on-call public works employee who said he would be at the scene in 30 minutes.

We’re good

11:36 a.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway

911 call: Police responded to a retail store following a dropped 911 call but learned all was in order and there was no need for first responders.

Where did it go?

12:27 p.m., 220 Sands Point Road

Citizen assist: A caller to police sought to report a lost phone. The caller said it was possible the phone had been stolen from a resort pool area, and that tracking software pinpointed its location to an address in Sarasota. Police checked on the address indicating the phone’s location and learned it was the resort’s laundry service. The resort made arrangements to have the phone retrieved.

Address unknown

3:26 p.m., 6900 block of Poinsettia Avenue

Found property: A resident called police about a package that was incorrectly delivered to his home. An officer took possession of the package but was unable to find the address to which it was sent. The package was taken to the police department for safe-keeping in case the owner came looking for it.

Jan. 17

For their safety

4:10 p.m., North Shore Road

Psychological problems: A man and woman believed to be under the influence of drugs were taken to the hospital for their own safety following reports of a suspicious man walking through a neighborhood. A caller told police the man left his car running in the middle of the street and walked off. Police found him incoherent but said he and his girlfriend had taken drugs earlier in the day. While on the way to the hospital with the man, police found the woman nearby on the beach and took her to the hospital as well.

Jan. 18

On the way home

4:32 a.m., Bay Isles Parkway and Gulf of Mexico Drive

Traffic: A police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with no taillights illuminated hours before sunrise. The drive was on the way to catch a flight home. With the officer’s help, the driver switched the daytime light setting to the proper one, activating all the vehicle’s exterior lights.

 Bringing them in

11:46 a.m., Town Hall

Agency assistance: Police were asked to check the front door of Town Hal for packages that might have been delivered on the federal holiday. Three were brought indoors.

Crosswalk misbehavior

11:48 a.m., Gulf of Mexico Drive

Traffic citation: While responding as a backup to another call, an officer spotted a vehicle roll through one of the town’s six crosswalks with flashing-light warnings. The driver was pulled over and conceded he should have stopped. The driver was cited for the infraction.

Calling Mr. Clean . . .

12:51 p.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Public assistance: A visitor to a town park called police to notify them of the unsatisfactory state of a bathroom in the park. An officer investigated, determined the mess was likely not intentional and placed yellow caution tape at the bathroom door to prevent others from entering. Public Works was notified.

Where’s wallet?

5:49 p.m., police headquarters

Lost property: A man came to the police department to report a lost wallet containing identification and credit cards. The man said he inadvertently left the wallet on the back of his vehicle and drove off.

Jan. 19

Missing boat

9:47 a.m., 2500 block of Harbourside Drive

Agency assistance: Town police were asked to help Sarasota police with contacting the owner of a boat found broken away from its moorings. The Longboat officer found no one at home but left word to contact Sarasota police.

Beach-chair poltergeists?

1:25 p.m., 5500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious incident: A resident called to report four locked beach chairs had been moved from their original location to a spot in the beach grass. No theft had taken place. The officer reported the incident would be logged.

Ready, aim, duck

5:34 p.m., 600 block of Sutton Place

Suspicious incident: Police checked the area following a report of gunshots. Officers noted duck hunters in mangroves. Because it is duck season, no violations were noted.

Jan. 20

Arrest warrant

6:05 a.m., 3600 block of Bayou Circle

Assist other agencies: A Manatee County detective sought assistance from town police in serving an arrest warrant. The suspect was arrested on charges of child pornography and taken to jail.

Paying the damage

1:33 p.m., 2000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Criminal mischief: A representative of a condominium complex called police to report damage done to a security gate, which was captured on security video. The representative told police a bill would be sent to the person identified on video. Police spoke to the person, who conceded he had damaged the gate.