Longboat police evict man camping near Beer Can Island

Friday, July 19  

Kids will be kids

10:16 p.m., 3400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Juvenile Disturbance: Dispatch sent an officer to investigate a report of juveniles on the beach. At the scene, the officer met with the complainant who said there was a large group of children on the beach being obnoxious and possibly disturbing sea turtles. The officer proceeded to walk the beach, ran into a parent and explained the reason he was there. The parent said he and several other families rent out a large portion of the nearby hotel for vacation and claimed that security seemed to be exaggerating and not letting the kids be kids. In response, the officer said this was the second call they received at this location and explained the complainant’s concern about sea turtles.

Shortly after, the officer saw a large group of kids using white lights on the beach. The officer went back to the parent and advised him of the violation, to which the parent said the kids would not be back at the beach. 

Plumber required

10:55 p.m., 500 block of Dream Island Road 

Officer Public Service: An officer was dispatched to a residence regarding a sewer issue. Upon arrival, the officer met with the caller who said the property was a rental and had experienced a sewage backup, with water pouring out of the toilets, shower and bathtub. The officer then said this was a plumbing issue and not a law enforcement issue, and the renter was advised to contact an emergency plumber. 

Sunday, July 21

Camping cut short 

2:47 a.m., 100 block of North Shore Road

Suspicious Person: While on patrol near Greer Island (Beer Can Island), two officers located a campsite in the woods that included a large two-room tent, trash around the campsite and a small area used as a restroom. The officers announced their presence and a man exited the tent. He was advised that camping was prohibited on Longboat Key and was asked to clean up the area and remove all trash. The officers met the camper back at his car, which was cited earlier in the day for parking in the beach access lot after hours. Again, the officers told him that camping was prohibited and numerous signs around the beach access point said so. He was issued a citation for the violation. 

Monday, July 22

Directing traffic around sparks 

10:46 a.m., 1400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Assist Other Agency: An officer went to the scene of an electrical hazard when a blown fuse caused arcing wires on an electrical pole. The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department was on the scene and notified Florida Power & Light of the issue. The responding officer helped with traffic control until FPL crews arrived. 

Tuesday, July 23

Problems with lights and a license 

4:59 p.m., 6900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Vehicle Stop: While on patrol, an officer stopped a vehicle with dark-tinted tail lights that prohibited any brake lights from shining through. The driver did not speak English but had a passenger who was able to translate. The passenger said the truck was a company vehicle, and they were working on installing new brake lights. The driver then provided a Florida identification card, but the pair was unable to provide proof of insurance. The officer checked the driver’s information and found that he did not have a valid driver’s license, which resulted in a notice to appear for the driver as well as warnings for the brake lights and insurance. 

Wednesday, July 24

Constant occurrence …

4:51 p.m., 4400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Animal Problem: Another call for a dog on the beach. The responding officer met with the dog’s owner, who said he was unaware that dogs weren’t allowed on Longboat Key beaches. He apologized and cut the dog’s beach visit short. 

Thursday, July 25

Early morning beach trip

2:50 a.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious Vehicle: During a routine patrol of Bayfront Park, an officer noticed a car parked illegally after hours. The officer then canvassed the area and found four people on the beach, two with empty alcohol bottles on the beach and two swimming. The four were taken back to the vehicle, which was registered to one of the individuals who didn’t have a driver’s license. He was given a citation for illegally parking in Bayfront Park, and all four left in a ride-share vehicle. 

Where’s that sound?

9:42 p.m., 500 block of Edlee Lane 

Marine Rescue: Dispatch sent Longboat Key PD to assist in a call that reported hearing a possible distress sound near Sister Keys. The complainant said she heard numerous boat horn blasts during a severe weather storm with heavy rain and strong winds. Longboat Key Fire Rescue also arrived on the scene, and the U.S. Coast Guard was advised of the situation. Longboat Key Fire Rescue launched a boat and searched until severe lightning caused them to back off of the search. While an officer was canvassing the area, two more horn blasts went off. In the distance, the officer saw a couple of boats in the water, one of which had its overboard discharge running from excessive water. It was believed that the horn sounded automatically from the boat activating the dewatering pump, and the search was called off.