Alleged HOA coup draws Longboat PD response

Friday, March 21

Didn't sober up enough 

1:17 a.m., Longboat Club Road

Impaired Driver: A Longboat Key officer noticed a vehicle start to gain speed and began to catch up to the vehicle, reaching 75 mph before the driver slowed to 65 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. The officer conducted a traffic stop and observed the driver showing signs of impairment like fumbling documents, slightly slurred speech and an alcohol odor. The driver admitted to having a few drinks over several hours and later consented to field sobriety testing. After the driver failed to meet the mark on the tests, the officer arrested the driver and transported him to the county jail.

Saturday, March 22

HOA coup averted 

10:20 a.m., 3700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Disturbance: Dispatch sent officers to a reported disturbance at a homeowners' association meeting. At the scene, the complainant told officers several people were instigating a coup on the HOA and had been talking loudly to prevent the meeting from starting. But by the time officers arrived, the individuals stopped talking, and the meeting pursued without issue. There was no crime or ordinance violation, so the officers closed the case. 

Monday, March 24

Saving a seabird 

3:07 p.m., 4700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Animal Problem: While on beach patrol, an officer observed a crowd gathering around an injured cormorant. The officer used a blanket from his beach patrol unit to cover the injured bird and transported it to Save Our Seabirds for intake. 

Tuesday, March 25

Not the best time to fish

3:51 a.m., 6500 block of Gulfside Road 

Suspicious Incident: An officer on patrol noticed two vehicles parked in the driveway of a residence that was left vacant after the hurricanes because of storm damage. Officers followed footsteps that led to the beach and found three fishermen walking toward the residence. The fishermen explained they had text messages with the property owner, who permitted them to use the property. One of the fishermen understood the situation looked bad given the time of day and agreed it was a bad judgment call to come to the residence this late. All three returned to their vehicles and left the area after the interaction. 

Snake sent packing 

12:13 p.m., 600 block of Rountree Drive

Animal Problem: A resident called the police to help her remove a red and black snake from her property. The responding officer determined it was a non-venomous corn snake and safely relocated the snake from the resident’s property to a nearby wooded area. 

Wednesday, March 26

Can’t camp there

12:37 a.m., 6900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious Vehicle: White patrolling Longboat Key, an officer noticed a vehicle parked in a lot after hours and saw condensation-covered windows, indicating someone could be inside. The officer spoke to the occupant, who said he was traveling the country and camping in his truck. The camper was advised of the town’s ordinance prohibiting such activity and sent on his way. 

Early IT call

4:39 a.m., 3000 block of Grand Bay Blvd. 

Citizen Assist: Dispatch sent officers to assist a citizen who said she was sure someone was listening to her phone calls. An officer explained to her that new phone updates changed certain things on her phone and offered to give her a tutorial on some of the new accessibility features. She thanked the officers for their assistance.