BRADENTON BEACH – An incident involving two Bradenton Beach police officers prompted Police Chief John Cosby to again voice concerns about the police department budget and staffing shortages.
During the June 1 Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, Cosby provided an update on the policing efforts in the CRA district.
Noting that Bridge Street is filled to capacity on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Cosby said, “You can’t fit any more people down there.”
He said there are now issues with patrons lingering late at night after the businesses close.
“I only have two officers on. It’s hard to disperse that many people,” Cosby said.
He then referenced an incident involving a vehicle that left the Drift In parking lot during the early morning hours of May 29.
According to the probable cause report, an officer saw a vehicle driven by Steven Davis reverse at a high rate of speed and fishtail out of the Drift-In parking lot with no headlights on before striking a signpost. After eventually being wrestled to the ground and pepper-sprayed, Davis was arrested for resisting arrest and disorderly intoxication (see related story, page 9).
As that arrest took place, Davis’ companion, Torrie Kronk, was arrested for disorderly intoxication for the alleged verbal abuse she directed toward the arresting officers.
“One subject had to be wrestled to the ground. They wound up going to the hospital,” Cosby said. “They were tied up at the hospital for seven hours. An officer has to stay with them the entire time they’re there. The second person who was arrested also claimed injury and also went to the hospital and was there for seven hours. From 3 o’clock to 7 in the morning there were no officers available to take any calls in Bradenton Beach unless it was a priority call. Our mutual aid contracts with the other cities and the county only call for them to come out if we have a priority call. So, any other type of call went ignored until 7 o’clock – until the day shift officer came in.”
Cosby said the two officers were supposed to get off duty at 3 a.m. but wound up working until 10 a.m. and had to be back to work at 5 p.m. Sunday evening.
“I have eight patrol officers. I’m down two right now, and I have some that are taking vacation. I’m down to five people to cover all the shifts. I need more staff,” Cosby said.
Other issues
Cosby described the recent Memorial Day weekend as “total mayhem.” He said Manatee County Commission Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge rode with Manatee County Marine Rescue personnel that Sunday and witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by law enforcement and public safety personnel.
“He was in awe of what was going on out here. He responded with them to the fight calls we had over parking issues, which were multiple, and the sheer amount of traffic. There’s too many people coming here. There’s no place to put them,” Cosby said.
“It’s not my job to come up with an answer. This is a political issue. It’s your job to work with them (the county) to figure something out,” Cosby told the CRA members – five of whom also serve on the city commission.
Cosby said he’s raising from $35 to $40 the hourly rate the department charges the CRA for off-duty policing services in the CRA district that includes Bridge Street. He said other law enforcement agencies in the area charge $40-$45 for off-duty policing.
“If you can’t pay it, then we can’t provide the service. I can’t expect my people to go out there and not make the same amount of money other officers at other agencies are making,” Cosby said.
Regarding staffing shortages, Cosby said, “Myself and Lt. Diaz are covering shifts. I just don’t have anybody. I’m hoping to be back to a full staff in July. I have not been at full staff for three and a half years. Again, you’re getting what you pay for,” Cosby said.
CRA Chairman Ralph Cole said the CRA and the city commission have to figure out how to address the ongoing police funding concerns and he noted other city services may need to be reduced. Cole said the city needs more financial support from Manatee County and the other taxing authorities that place additional burdens on the city’s police department.
CRA member John Chappie noted the county-owned beaches and boat ramps make up one-third of Bradenton Beach and help attract 14,000-20,000 people to the city on any given Saturday or Sunday.
Previous comments
During the May 5 commission meeting, Cosby and two residents voiced their concerns about the city having one officer available to respond to an incident involving 10 people, a possible fight and a gun.
During that meeting, Cosby said more officers and more funds are needed if the city’s police department is going to keep up with the additional policing demands created by the constant influx of tourists and the continued growth in Manatee County.
