Police officer helps tired man with car stuck in a ditch

Saturday, Sept. 9

Flooding fiasco 

8:03 p.m., 4800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive  

Citizen Assist: Longboat Key police responded to flooding caused by heavy water flow from a fire suppression system. On scene, the officer immediately requested backup from Longboat Key Fire Rescue, which took over upon arrival.

Wrong identification

8:36 p.m., 3000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Traffic Citation: An officer pulled over a vehicle traveling along GMD without license plate lights. The driver showed a Brazilian passport, but was unable to show a proper driver's license. The officer issued the driver a notice to appear for driving without a license, and advised the driver to park the vehicle. 

Sunday, Sept. 10 

Failure to stop 

11:58 a.m., 2500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Traffic Citation: While turning onto GMD, a driver failed to come to a complete stop when turning on a red light. An officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop, and the driver said she did not realize she hadn’t completely stopped. The officer issued her a citation. 

Monday, Sept. 11 

A lot missing 

2:00 p.m., Longboat Pass

Boating Citation: While on marine patrol, an officer spotted a vessel without registration numbers or stickers. The officer stopped the vessel in question, and asked to see proper paperwork. The captain was unable to provide registration paperwork, and the officer escorted the boat back to the boat ramp to find the paperwork. While at the boat ramp, the captain was also unable to show the required safety equipment, personal flotation devices and throwable flotation. The boat’s flares were also expired. The operator of the vessel received several citations. 

Tuesday, Sept.12 

Having a long day 

1:34 a.m., 2900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Traffic Hazard: While on patrol, an officer noticed a vehicle in a ditch at an intersection on GMD. A man was lying on the trunk of the car. The officer approached the man, who claimed to be lost and missed a turn. He went on to say he was very tired after arriving from a long flight. The man did not show any signs of intoxication, but the officer did note some damage to the front of the vehicle. The owner declined an accident report, and the officer called a tow company. 

Wednesday, Sept. 13 

Cardboard concern

10:45 a.m., 5500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive 

Traffic Hazard: While on patrol, a Longboat Key officer noticed a large cardboard box in the middle of the road. He removed the box and threw it away at the station. 

Thursday, Sept. 14 

Rowdy boat 

2:20 p.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Noise Complaint: Officers were dispatched to respond to a noise complaint about a boat with loud music near the beach. On the scene, the officers heard the music from a distance and found the source. The owner of the boat was advised of the noise complaint and was fully cooperative. 

Friday Sept. 15 

Residential fire assist 

7:34 a.m, 700 block of Lyons Lane 

Fire Assist: Police responded to a call about smoke coming from a residential garage. Longboat Key Fire Rescue beat the officer to the scene, and the officer stood by while the fire rescue team assessed the situation. Shortly after, the fire in the garage had been extinguished.