Resident reports dog on the loose, results in meeting the neighbor

Friday, Jan. 17

Water emergency 

7 a.m., 3600 block of Fair Oaks Place

Citizen Assist: A resident called for emergency assistance with a water main break. Upon arrival, the responding officer observed water pooling in the street in front of a residence. The complainant approached the officer and said that public works was responding, which the officer confirmed by calling the department. The case was cleared.

‘Future mayor’ out of order

9:59 a.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Road

Suspicious Person: An officer met with a complainant at town hall about a suspicious man. According to the complainant, the man had slicked-back hair, poor hygiene and “FILA” on the back of his shirt. The complainant said he entered a meeting, caused a verbal disruption and said he was running to be the mayor of Tampa. The responding officer canvassed the area but could not find the suspicious mayoral candidate.

E-bike prohibited on the beach

12:44 p.m., 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious Person: A citizen called to report a suspicious person with an electric bike on the beach. At the scene, the responding officer discovered a man fishing on the beach with an electric bike nearby. The officer educated the man about the town ordinance prohibiting self-propelled or motorized vehicles on the beach. The man claimed he was unaware of the ordinance and moved the bike off the beach without incident.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Out of gas

12:20 p.m., 6400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Disabled Vehicle: A driver flagged down a patrol officer for assistance with his truck that was parked off of the roadway. The man said he ran out of gas and needed assistance, so the officer provided him a courtesy ride to the nearest gas station. Upon return to the man’s truck, he was able to get the vehicle running and left without any other issues. 

Meet the neighbor

7:13 p.m., 500 block of Bayport Way

Animal Problem: Dispatch sent an officer to investigate a report of a dog walking around on the loose. The officer met with the complainant who said her dog was “freaking out” at the door and, when she looked out the door, there was a large, brown dog sitting on her front porch. She said she didn't know what to do and was scared of the dog. The officer checked the area but did not find any loose dogs. After canvassing the area, the officer returned to the complainant who was then talking to her neighbor. The neighbor was holding a brown dog which matched the description the complainant gave. The dog’s owner claimed his dog was never loose and there was no issue. In the end, the complainant said she was happy to meet her neighbor. 

Tuesday, Jan. 21

Must’ve been the wind 

2:16 p.m., 7100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Open Door: A citizen taking care of a Longboat Key residence contacted police after she arrived at the house and noticed a balcony door open. Two officers responded to the scene and checked the residence, finding nothing out of the ordinary except for the opened doors. There were no signs of forced entry and all windows were secure. According to the police report, it appeared the doors opened accidentally.