BRADENTON BEACH – In the aftermath of large holiday crowds on the Island and at the request of Police Chief John Cosby the city commission approved a declaration of a local state of emergency for July 4-6.
“It’s not that there’s anything wrong, but we’re trying to be proactive,” Cosby said. “I need to be able to put people on call and pay out some extra overtime and there are some requirements in our emergency ordinance so I would like to activate that.”
According to the city’s emergency ordinance, the commission may approve “Performance of public work and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community.”
Cosby noted that on Memorial Day a lot of people were trying to get to the Island and were disregarding “no parking” signs.
“We’re ticketing and they’re laughing at our $75 ticket so that’s something we are going to discuss at the budget meeting,” he said.
The declaration states, “As Mayor of the City of Bradenton Beach, pursuant to the authority vested in the office of the mayor by virtue of Article II, Section 3, of the charter of the city of Bradenton Beach in order to ensure compliance with emergency preparedness declare a state of local emergency that will continue for three days… This local state of emergency includes all of the city of Bradenton Beach.”
“I appreciate everything you do and I know these holidays are extremely rough on your guys,” Mayor John Chappie said. If there’s anything we can do to help you and your police officers we will do that.”
The motion passed unanimously.
