Longboat police anchor 'runaway sailboat'

Friday, June 2

Not a burglary

5:35 p.m., 6100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Alarm: Police were sent to a residence on report of an active burglary alarm. Upon arrival, the responding officer made contact with the homeowner who provided proof he resided there. 

Saturday, June 3

Quiet down

1:40 a.m., 600 block of Marbury Lane 

Noise complaints from land: Officers responded to a noise complaint and heard loud music from a nearby residence. They met with the homeowner and explained there was a complaint. The owner turned down the music without incident. 

Suppose you can stay, then

2:00 p.m., 7000 block of Seabreeze Avenue 

Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched to the address for a report of an unknown vehicle parked in the caller’s driveway. Upon arrival, the officer met with the caller who did not know who the vehicle belonged to. It was later determined that the owner was from a neighboring condo complex and had parked there due to the lot being resurfaced. The caller allowed the vehicle to remain parked on the property. 

More private beach chairs 

2:17 p.m., 1000 block of Longboat Club Road 

Suspicious person: An officer responded to a call about a group of beachgoers using privately-owned beach chairs. Upon arrival, the officer observed the group in question leaving the beach. He spoke with one of the individuals, who said they were staying at a nearby home and were allowed to use those chairs.

Sunday, June 4

Too late to park

1:15 a.m., 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Suspicious vehicle: An officer was conducting a business check at the above the officer observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot. The driver’s side door was open and the driver was sitting in the seat. The officer spoke with the driver. The driver said the car had broken down and a family member was on the way to help. Once the family member arrived, the officer assisted with arranging a private tow. 

Rest in peace

9:11 a.m., 300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Animal complaint: Police were dispatched to the area on report of a dead raccoon in the roadway. The officer called the the Public Works department to have it removed. 

Force of nature 

11:34 a.m., 6800 block of Longboat Drive South

Citizen assist: A caller advised police of potential flooding in front of the address. The responding officer arrived and observed water pooling in the street from the sewer drains and canal. The officer called back the individual and advised it was due to high tide. 

Monday, June 5

Missing sailboat found

8:47 a.m., 2100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Suspicious person: An individual had previously made town police aware of his missing yellow sailboat. Later that same day while on marine patrol, officers came across the yellow sailboat. They anchored the boat south of the John Ringling Bridge to await its owner. 

No donuts 

4:50 p.m., Jewfish Key 

Boating citation: While on marine patrol, the officer observed a personal watercraft operating on a plane with excessive wake in a posted “slow speed, minimum wake” zone. The operator was doing “donut” type maneuvers. After conducting a stop, the operator was unable to produce the proper registration numbers or sticker and was issued a citation. 

Tuesday, June 6

Be aware 

9:16 p.m., 5200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Suspicious person: Police were notified of a suspicious group on the beach. The responding officer found a family on the beach after sunset with a tiki torch and a radio playing. They were verbally warned of rules against open flames and the town’s noise and sea turtle ordinances. 

Wednesday, June 7

Had to get in 

2:14 p.m., 200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched to the guard house of the above address in reference to someone hitting the pole gate. Upon arrival, the officer met with the driver in question and he said he did hit the gate because it was not working properly and decided to force his way through. He said he was meeting with the president of the homeowners association for breakfast and would speak with him about taking care of damages. 

Thursday, June 8

Service dogs allowed 

6:42 p.m., 2800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Dog on the beach: An officer responded to reports of a dog on the beach. The officer observed a male, female, and a dog sitting under an umbrella on the beach. The male told police the dog was a service dog and provided the necessary documentation.