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Tag: Bradenton Beach Police Department

Lock cars, secure guns

Lock cars, secure guns

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

MANATEE COUNTY – There’s a new problem in Manatee County, and it has nothing to do with oppressive heat or storm threats. According to government officials from all three Island cities, as well as county officials, abandoned and stolen gun cases are on the rise.

Since a law change in 2023, Florida residents who once had to obtain a concealed carry permit and complete safety training and a background check to carry a loaded firearm on their body or in their car no longer need to do anything more than have a valid ID to be legal. While the jury is still out on whether this has had a positive or negative effect on gun-related issues, one thing is clear – guns are coming up missing.

The issue is becoming such a problem that the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has placed lighted signs around the county that warn motorists to lock their cars and secure all firearms.

“Our digital mobile road signs are strategically positioned around the county, often displaying messages about locking your car and not leaving firearms inside,” MCSO Public Information Officer Randy Warren said in an email to The Sun. “These signs serve as a reminder to be smart and reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Burglars know that people make the mistake of forgetting or being careless almost every night. They are aware that this is the easiest way to acquire a free gun, as these criminals rarely obtain them legally. They also know that if they check enough door handles, they will find what they are looking for.”

Warren said that so far this year they had received 71 reports of firearms being stolen from unlocked vehicles. He did not have the stats for the city of Anna Maria, which is patrolled by MCSO, at the time of this story.

In Bradenton Beach, Lt. Lenard Diaz said they had one gun stolen from a vehicle in 2023 but none reported this year.

“We have more of an issue with people renting condos and leaving their guns behind,” Diaz said. “As a matter of fact, we have a person coming back in a month to get her gun because she left it at an Airbnb.”

Diaz said the guns are usually found by cleaning staff. They notify their supervisor, who then contacts the police. Police officers pick up the gun, run the serial number, and, if legal, contact the owner. The one thing none of the Island police departments will do is ship the guns back to the owners, even if they are presumed legal. The reason for this is that owners must show proper identification and proof of ownership to prevent the chance of the lost guns eventually falling into the wrong hands. Diaz said it’s simply a necessary safety precaution that offers no exceptions. Lost guns are put into a secure evidence locker and gun owners are given 90 days to pick up the gun, or, if they live far away, Diaz said he will give them up to a year if he is confident they will return to get the gun.

In Holmes Beach, Police Chief Bill Tokajer says his department has the same issue.

“We haven’t really seen the problem with gun thefts from cars that places like Tampa and even the county are seeing,” Tokajer said. “What we have a problem with is people leaving them in rental units.”

Like Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach police will not ship lost firearms for the same reasons. Gun owners must return to the city and claim their property with proper ID.

It should be noted that while leaving a firearm unsecured in a vehicle or left behind in a rental unit is not a crime, it is an opportunity for a legally purchased and owned gun to get into the hands of someone who may have very different intentions for its use. Law enforcement from all agencies contacted by The Sun ask that everyone legally carrying a firearm lock their car and always be aware of who has access to their guns. Doing so will make for a safer Island.

Bradenton Beach gets donation of life vests

Bradenton Beach gets donation of life vests

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – It’s an all-too-common problem for boaters to have a passenger load that exceeds the number of life vests onboard their craft, according to the Bradenton Beach Police Department (BBPD), which does regular checks of boats in waters around the city

Not only is this a serious safety hazard, it’s not legal. Florida law requires a life vest for every passenger on the craft regardless of age. Insufficient vests can result in a fine and even end the boater’s day on the water.

Thanks to a generous donation from Sea Tow of Cortez, this doesn’t have to be a problem anymore.

“Sea Tow, our corporation, has a nonprofit that’s called the Sea Tow Foundation,” Sea Tow’s Cortez franchise owner, Sam Joseph, said. “Through each franchise, we all pitch in to the foundation. We have life vest stands we set up at boat ramps and marinas, and we also supply those stands with life jackets.”

Joseph said a life vest company that went out of business last year donated about 15,000 life vests to the foundation, and his franchise was able to obtain about 200 of those vests.

“I was talking to Officer Eric Hill from BBPD, and he said instead of giving out tickets to boaters who were lacking in vests, it would be nice to be able to loan them one so they’re in compliance,” Joseph said.

Joseph said they have donated about 70 life vests to BBPD so far, which will keep some onboard their department’s boat to loan to boaters, leaving them to enjoy their day on the water safely and avoid costly fines from the department. There is also a rack of vests on the Bradenton Beach Pier dock for boaters to borrow and return based on the simple honor system, making it easy for boaters to solve a common problem hassle free.

Sea Tow has boats in Cortez, Bradenton Beach and most surrounding areas. They assist stranded boaters by towing them to shore when there are mechanical issues with their personal watercraft. They can be reached at 941-756-3422 or at www.seatow.com. Anyone wishing to donate can use the social media link @seatowfoundation on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms.

Police chief says crime is down in Bradenton Beach

Police chief says crime is down in Bradenton Beach

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Crime is down in Bradenton Beach.

“Last year I stood up here and I told you crime couldn’t go any lower in the city of Bradenton Beach, but our overall crime went down 43.5% from last year,” Police Chief John Cosby said during his annual crime report to the city commission on May 2.

Cosby said local crime statistics are built into the police software and Lt. Lenard Diaz puts the tabulation together and sends reports to federal and state law enforcement agencies. Those agencies then tabulate the statistics and send a report back to Bradenton Beach Police.

“Our property value crime went down. Last year, our stolen property was at $41,000, which is theft and auto burglary,” Cosby said. “This year it was only $4,100 of property taken, so that is a drop of 89%. I’m really happy about that.”

Cosby introduced night shift officers Roy Joslin, Devon Straight, Eric Hill and Ryan Gagliano.

“The weekend night team works from 5 (p.m.) to 7 (a.m.) during the busiest days,” Cosby said.

Cosby encourages his officers to use the community policing model, in which relationships are developed with members of the public.

“I encourage my officers to stop and talk to everybody,” Cosby said. “We’re fortunate we have a lot of longtime officers that people know. We encourage a lot of foot patrol too, on Bridge Street and the pier and even the neighborhoods. Even our newer guys are very friendly and ready to talk and to do their job.”

Cosby said laws are a tool, but officers are mainly looking for compliance.

“Sometimes that doesn’t work and you have to take action and that’s the way it goes,” Cosby said.

He said the biggest enforcement issue may be tourists and drinking.

“They’re getting drunk and they’re getting bulletproof and they like to fight each other, but other than that, we’re doing good,” Cosby said.

“Great job chief and everything you’ve been doing,” Mayor John Chappie said. “I constantly get comments from citizens and businesses, elected officials and the tourists just how happy they are. We’re no longer that pass-through community we used to be, we’re a destination now.”

Chappie said that one of the major goals of the Community Redevelopment Agency was to make the central area of the city a family-friendly environment.

“There was a time a few years ago, when families were out until 7 or 8, that’s when the hard drinking used to start,” Cosby said. “Now we’re seeing young families out until 10 o’clock or so.”

“It is such a transformation,” Chappie said. “This is a celebration of a really great

Golf cart accident victims say ‘buckle up’

Golf cart accident victims say ‘buckle up’

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – One of the biggest concerns for the Island’s police departments is the use of seatbelts on low-speed vehicles (LSV), commonly referred to as golf carts. After an accident that sent a 75-year-old woman crashing face-first through the windshield of the LSV she was riding in, her family wants to stress the importance of buckling up, something they admit they hadn’t done when the accident happened.

The situation unfolded on March 10 at 7:30 p.m. as Debbie Guilfoyle, 75, of Iowa was riding in the passenger seat of an LSV being driven by her 46-year-old daughter, who asked that her name be withheld, as well as her daughter, Lisa Walker, who was riding unbelted in the rear seat of their rental cart.

The women say they were driving northbound on Gulf Drive when they approached the green light at the intersection at Cortez Road and had the right of way, so they entered the intersection. At the same time, a car making a southbound left turn onto Cortez Road toward the Cortez Bridge did not yield and turned into their path of travel, they said, leaving the unnamed daughter no choice but to brake as hard as she could, sending Guilfoyle through the cart’s windshield, landing headfirst on the pavement. The SUV that cut them off left the scene.

“My mom took a header through the windshield and did a 180-degree flip onto the ground,” Walker said. “She hit her head, bruised her shoulder and had plenty of bumps and bruises.”

Walker said her family is grateful the injuries weren’t worse than they were. Guilfoyle was taken to HCA Florida Blake Hospital by EMS and given a CT scan, which showed no serious injuries, and she was released after five hours of evaluation. Walker also received multiple injuries to her chest after hitting the rear safety bar of the cart during the accident but was also cleared by doctors after a CT scan.

Walker said an ER nurse was in traffic behind them and came to the scene to stabilize her mother’s head until West Manatee Fire Rescue arrived. A doctor at the scene also assisted. She said her family was blessed to have these two people nearby, and the three of them all learned a lesson they want to share with anyone who will listen.

“Wear seatbelts on these carts, please,” Walker said. “Please, please, please! Don’t crash through a windshield, or wind up in the hospital with a bruised chest or far worse; just wear a seatbelt.”

Walker, who admits none of them were belted, hopes her story will inspire people to remember that just because they are in vacation mode and the Island is a virtual paradise, no amount of white sand or palm trees makes a car, truck or SUV weigh one ounce less or makes them immune from causing a tragedy that could be possibly prevented by a simple click.

Island police departments also warn that not only is not wearing a seatbelt on an LSV dangerous, it’s also illegal, and tickets are written in all three Island cities.

Man arrested for battery on police officer

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – What began as a routine trespass request from the Circle K parking lot at 103 Gulf Drive N. quickly turned to a battery arrest after a suspect threatened officers and allegedly struck Bradenton Beach Police Department (BBPD) Sgt. Steve Masi in the face.

According to Masi’s report, the incident began on March 5 at 10:15 p.m. after he arrived to assist Officer Tom Ferrara with the trespass of a subject from the property.

The subject, Everett Hodapp, 54, listed as homeless in Bradenton Beach, was standing on the sidewalk in front of the store, where he was not permitted due to a previous trespass, according to the report.

Man arrested for battery on police officer
Hodapp

“He was screaming obscenities directed at me and threatening my life,” Masi said in his report. “L.T. Jason Dalton with FWC was also at the listed location, as he tried to calm down Hodapp by walking him away from the area several times, but he continued to re-engage.”

Masi’s report says that BBPD officers have had multiple run-ins with Hodapp during his 12-year career with the department, and the majority have not been positive ones. Masi said Hodapp’s behavior was substantially interfering with the store’s business as more and more onlookers were unable to get past due to the suspect’s behavior.

The situation escalated as Hodapp began to threaten Masi’s life, saying he would shoot Masi and physically assault him and his family if he were not wearing his badge. He was told by both Masi and Ferrara that if he continued to act in this manner, he would be arrested, but the threats continued, including using his fingers to make “shooting” gestures directed at Masi.

“At this time, I walked over to Hodapp, along with both Dalton and Ferrara, and as I approached, he proceeded to go into an aggressive fighting stance,” Masi said. “I explained that if he continued, he would be placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. Hodapp inched closer and closer still intentionally threatening me by word and act to do me harm. Hodapp had the ability at this time to engage in violence towards me, as I had a fear he might.”

Moments later, Hodapp slapped Masi in the face with his right hand, according to the report. Masi swept his right leg and took him to the ground to gain compliance. The three officers were able to get Hodapp in handcuffs despite him still fighting against their efforts. His injury was a minor cut to his forehead, which EMTs examined. Once checked out and cleared, he was arrested for battery on a law enforcement officer and transferred to Manatee County Jail by Ferrara.

Hodapp remains in custody on $5,750 bond. He has pled not guilty and his next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, April 26 at 9 a.m. in front of Judge Frederick Mercurio in Manatee County’s 12th Judicial Circuit Court.

Police investigate gunshots in Holmes Beach

Police investigate gunshots in Holmes Beach

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Shots were fired, but who fired them and exactly where they were fired remains a mystery after all of the Island’s three police departments participated in the search for the shooter.

The incident began on Feb. 10 at 10:03 p.m. when Holmes Beach Police Department (HBPD) Officer Chris Bennett was getting into his patrol car at the HBPD station and heard two gunshots coming from the south nearby. Bennett advised dispatch of the shots and requested that Officer Ryan Welch respond to the area, believing the shots came from the area of the Waterline Hotel, 5325 Marina Drive, or the area of 5200 Gulf Drive.

While searching around the Waterline, Bennett spoke with a bystander who said she had not heard the shots, and he found no physical evidence of the shots coming from that area. At the same time, Welch was checking the parking lot in the area of D Coy Ducks bar across the street. An employee of the bar told Welch he had also heard the shots, and thought they had come from the area near Hurricane Hanks restaurant, 5410 Marina Drive, possibly behind the building on the 52nd Street side of the business.

Shortly after, HBPD dispatch got a call from a concerned citizen in the area of 46th Street who also heard the shots nearby, but couldn’t provide an exact location.

Officers Bennett and Welch went on foot to check the beach access parking lot at 100 52nd St.

“While checking the parking lot, we heard two additional gunshots very close to our south,” Bennett said in his official report. “They were possibly coming from the 50th Street beach access area.”

Officers from the Bradenton Beach Police Department (BBPD) and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) arrived at the scene to assist in the search.

“I deployed my agency-issued AR-15 rifle, and Officer Welch deployed his agency-issued shotgun,” Bennett said in his report. “Along with the aforementioned law enforcement officers from neighboring agencies, conducted a thorough check until approximately 10:45 p.m. of the area between 47th Street and 52nd Street while on foot.”

An MCSO helicopter was requested but was not available to assist at the time. After an extensive ground search, no suspect could be located by officers. There were no gunshot wound victims that night, and no related property damage was reported. Anyone with information on the incident should contact the Holmes Beach Police Department.

Body found on Bradenton Beach dock

Body found on Bradenton Beach dock

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – It was just after 1 a.m. on Jan. 12 when three fishermen on a boat near the Bradenton Beach Pier needed a break from the inclement weather and decided to head to the adjacent dinghy dock to get warm.

When they pulled up to the dock, they observed what appeared to be a coat and clothing lying on the dock. As they got closer, they found a man slumped over the end of the dock with his head underwater. The reporting witness, Joshua Adkins, called 911 and waited for police to arrive.

According to his report, Bradenton Beach Police Officer Thomas Ferrara responded to the scene with Officer Roy Joslin and Officer Devon Straight to investigate.

“As we approached the dimly lit end of the dock, I observed an adult male body, obviously deceased with the chest area laying over the edge of the dock above the water and the left leg laying straight out on top of the dock out of the water,” Ferrara said in his report. “The right leg was above the water and half wrapped around a wooden piling that was attached to the dock. The deceased had both hands and arms dangling in the water and his entire head was under the surface of the water.”

After confirming that the deceased was beyond resuscitation, Straight pronounced the time of death to dispatch and the officers left the pier. They briefed their supervisors, Chief John Cosby, Sgt. Steve Masi and Lt. Lenard Diaz, about the situation. Diaz told Ferrara to contact the medical examiner and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit to respond and photograph the scene, according to the report.

The Sun spoke to Diaz on Jan. 12, who said the victim, identified as Mark Allen Crooks, 63, lived on a boat the department had cited previously for not being properly operational in the bay near the Bradenton Beach Pier. Diaz said Crooks had moved the boat to the coast of Cortez to avoid further Bradenton Beach violations.

Diaz said there was no foul play suspected in the death, and that the results of the autopsy would not be available by press time. Whether the man drowned or had a medical emergency that led to his death will not be known until that report is made available.

Woman hospitalized following raccoon attack

Woman hospitalized following raccoon attack

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – A Palm Harbor woman was recently hospitalized after being attacked by raccoons.

Bradenton Beach Police Officer Devon Straight responded to the Oct. 7 incident at the Tradewinds Resort, 1603 Gulf Drive.

The reporting person, whose name was not given in the police report, told Straight he had heard screaming coming from the resort’s pool area and went to investigate. He found the victim, Beverly Murphy, 59, on the ground calling for help with several raccoons around her. He said the raccoons ran away when help arrived on the scene. The caller and some other guests of the resort took Murphy inside a room to assist her in treating her wounds until EMS arrived.

“I spoke with Beverly, who stated she was chased by the group of raccoons before falling down and landing on her wrist, which was possibly broken as a result,” Straight said in his report. “While on the ground, the raccoons continued to bite and scratch both of her legs, leaving multiple wounds.”

Straight searched the area but was unable to find the raccoons. He said there is no way to know if the attack was because of a possible rabies infection, or the animals getting used to being fed by humans, though he said the latter was the more likely scenario.

Before becoming a police officer, Straight worked with his grandparents at Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Inc., a Bradenton Beach wild animal rehabilitation organization.

EMS arrived and transported Murphy to HCA Florida Blake Hospital for treatment. Manatee County Animal Control was called but did not respond to the scene. The Sun contacted Manatee County Animal Welfare about the incident but did not receive a statement before press time.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), raccoon attacks on humans are rare, but can occur even if the animal is not rabid. This is mostly due to people feeding them, making the animals more comfortable around people than they naturally should be. A rabid raccoon is usually dead within one to three days of becoming infectious, and if bitten by a rabid raccoon, effective post-exposure treatment is available.

The CDC says to observe a raccoon’s behavior before calling for assistance. Look for:

• Staggering gait;

• An animal seemingly oblivious to noise or nearby movement;

• Erratic wandering;

• Discharge from eyes or mouth;

• Wet and matted hair on face;

• Repeated high-pitch vocalization;

• Self-mutilation;

• Unprovoked aggression.

A raccoon showing these signs may be rabid or infected with canine distemper or feline parvovirus. Call animal control or the police department if concerned.

Dog attack injures woman, kills dog

Dog attack injures woman, kills dog

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – A woman and her small dog were attacked by an unleashed mastiff at Island Time Bar and Grill, 111 Gulf Drive S. on Aug. 9.

The dog later died, according to the owner.

Bradenton Beach Police Officer Thomas Ferrara was in the parking lot of Circle K at 103 Gulf Drive S. when he heard people screaming for help at the restaurant next door, according to a police report.

After calling for backup, he arrived at the scene and while trying to determine if a weapon was involved in the incident, he heard someone say it was a dog attack and people had been bitten, according to the report.

Ferrara saw a woman, who wished not to be identified, bleeding from her left leg and left middle finger. His attention was then directed to a man, identified as Anthony Santamauro, holding a large English mastiff dog he estimated to weigh more than 100 pounds. Santamauro was holding his shoulder but did not appear to be bleeding.

Video evidence

Due to conflicting stories from witnesses, Sgt. Steve Masi, who had arrived to provide backup, reviewed security footage from the bar revealing what had happened.

“After reviewing the video, I observed Mr. Santamauro enter the Island Time patio area with his dog (which the owner identified as a service dog), through a northwest doorway near the bar,” according to the police report. “Upon entering, Santamauro had the dog walking directly next to him. It appears the mastiff saw the very tiny dog approximately one-tenth its size leashed and sitting under the table with its female owner while she was eating dinner.”

The report goes on to say the unleashed mastiff grabbed the small dog in its jaws and begin shaking it and violently biting. When the small dog’s owner pulled it out of the larger dog’s mouth by pulling on the leash and trying to hold it in the air, the mastiff knocked the woman to the ground. Santamauro dove between the dogs and tried to separate them, at which time he fell face forward to the ground, landing on his shoulder, according to the report.

EMS arrived at the scene, but the female victim refused transport to the hospital for her injuries.

Police said the victim reported her dog later succumbed to its injuries and did not survive the attack. Sgt. Masi contacted animal control, which is investigating the incident.

Santamauro was issued a city ordinance violation. The female victim said she did not want Santamauro to be “in a lot of trouble,” but did want him to be responsible for any hospital treatment costs and other bills associated with the incident, according to the report.

Hillsborough Sergeant arrested in Bradenton Beach

Hillsborough sergeant arrested over parking space dispute

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) sergeant is on administrative leave after being arrested and charged with obstruction without violence by Bradenton Beach police (BBPD) for allegedly escalating an argument over a parking space.

According to his report, BBPD Sgt. Steve Masi was investigating a fight on July 30 at 6 p.m. over two handicapped parking spaces at a condo complex involving large groups of people. A man later identified as HCSO Sgt. Brendan Fitzgerald claimed a man punched him, but that man claimed it was Fitzgerald that had struck and pushed him first and he wished to press charges. Masi obtained criminal complaints and witness statements from the 13 people involved in the incident, all of whom complied, except for Fitzgerald, according to the police report.

“Fitzgerald’s behavior went from calm to aggressive very fast and back down as we talked,” Masi said in his report. “He kept saying he was a Hillsborough sergeant and I should take note.”

Masi said he asked Fitzgerald many times to provide identification, but he refused. He then asked Fitzgerald’s girlfriend and family to convince him to identify himself, but he continued to refuse, stating, “I’m a sergeant, I know the law kid, and I’m not identifying.” Masi explained to him that he was investigating a crime that had taken place that he was involved in, and he was required to provide identification. After continuing to refuse after being asked more than 10 times, Fitzgerald was advised he was going to be arrested for obstruction as he knowingly and willfully was obstructing the investigation, according to the report.

“This is a joke and you’re a joke, you can’t take me for obstruction, learn your laws boy!” Fitzgerald allegedly responded.

After placing Fitzgerald under arrest and taking him to BBPD for processing, Masi radioed Officer Thomas Ferrara to come to the police station to observe and document the arrest and take detailed notes on any statements Fitzgerald made during the process. According to a separate report filed by Ferrara, Fitzgerald continued to be belligerent and insult both of the officers, saying things like he had worked with “idiots” like them in the past, and using graphic language.

Fitzgerald was taken to Manatee County Jail on an obstruction charge where he was later released on $120 bond. He is due to appear in court on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m.

The HCSO issued the following statement regarding the arrest: “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has placed a sergeant on administrative leave after he was arrested in Manatee County on July 30, 2023. Brendan Fitzgerald, 52, was charged with obstruction without violence by the Bradenton Beach Police Department after an argument over a parking spot.

“Sgt. Fitzgerald’s behavior is inexcusable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “He will now face the consequences for his actions.”

Multiple departments respond to Cortez Bridge incident

Multiple departments respond to Cortez Bridge incident

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach Police officers Devon Straight and Tom Ferrara were at the Circle K near Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach when a concerned citizen came in and told them there was a man on the Bradenton Beach side of the Cortez Bridge screaming for help and running into traffic. The incident began around 7:35 p.m. on May 7.

“Myself and Officer Ferrara quickly responded and soon located the male standing in the middle of Cortez Road next to the Bradenton Beach Police station,” Straight said in a written report. “The male, later identified as Gregory Cawley, appeared wide-eyed and very anxious.”

Officers said that throughout the encounter, Cawley continued to reference people on the scene that weren’t there, including a group of people across the street that were watching the incident. No such group was present on the scene, leading officers to believe he was hallucinating and, due to his dilated pupils, they believed the incident was drug-related.

Straight’s report said Cawley was still fighting police and trying to break free even after EMS arrived and he was handcuffed to a stretcher. Once in the ambulance, he admitted to snorting and consuming crystal meth, although no drugs were found on him. Cawley was taken to HCA Blake Medical Center.

Bradenton Beach police officers receive medals

Police officers receive medals for saving a life

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Police officers Devon Straight and Charles “Chuck” Marose received recognition last week for saving a life.

During the March 16 city commission meeting, Police Chief John Cosby presented Straight and Marose with lifesaving medals.

“It’s my honor to come before you today,” Cosby told the commission. “We’ll be presenting Officer Devon Straight and Officer Chuck Marose with a lifesaving medal. On Feb. 17, at approximately 6:09 p.m., both officers responded to a 62-year-old male who was found lying on the sidewalk in the 1900 block of Gulf Drive. Once they arrived, some people that were there were already doing CPR. They took over the CPR and they used one of our AEDs (automated external defibrillator) to bring the gentleman back. He was transported to Blake and a few days later he was released and he went back to Georgia.”

Cosby then stressed the importance of providing officers with the training and equipment they need to do their jobs.

“I keep telling you: Training and equipment. This is a perfect example of it being used appropriately and it saved somebody’s life,” Cosby said.

Included in the meeting packet was a memo that Straight sent Cosby on Feb. 20.

Bradenton Beach police officers receive medals
Police Chief John Cosby presented Officer Devon Straight with his medal. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In his written description of the events that transpired that evening, Straight noted “Officer Marose then took it upon himself to check on the patient’s condition later that same night and was advised the patient had been stabilized and should recover.”

Bradenton Beach police officers receive medals
Police Chief John Cosby presented Officer Charles Marose with his medal. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Straight’s memo also included the following assessment: “I believe the quick implementation of CPR from bystanders and officers was critical to the patient’s survival before EMS could arrive, and the added benefit of having a readily available department-issued AED on-scene made our critical lifesaving efforts twice as effective.”

Multiple departments fight Bradenton Beach fire

Multiple departments fight Bradenton Beach fire

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Featured, West Manatee Fire Rescue.

BRADENTON BEACH – Black smoke could be seen rising high into the air after a fire started on March 8 at 403 Gulf Drive S., Unit D in a four-unit condo building known as Birds Nest.

Bradenton Beach Police Officer Steve Masi and Lt. Lenard Diaz were the first to arrive on the scene after getting through the long line of spring break traffic.

“Since it was unknown whether the building’s units were occupied, as soon as I arrived, I exited my vehicle and ran towards it,” Masi said in a police report. “In passing, I saw the building’s owner, and Unit A resident, Mr. Bettona. I asked him if anyone was in his unit or any other and he said nobody was in his, but they were all rented, so possibly, yes.”

Masi ran up to Unit D, which he said he could clearly see was on fire from the outside and touched the door handle to see if it was hot. Since it was only warm, Masi entered the unit, which was filled with smoke, and said he could visibly see the fire coming from the right side of the condo. He announced himself and asked if anyone was in the unit, while lying on the floor to reduce smoke inhalation. After Masi cleared the unit, he went back down to assist with traffic and crowd control with other officers, since fire crews were on the scene at that point.

In a department report, West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) firefighters note they could clearly see the smoke from the fire as they were crossing the Cortez Bridge into Bradenton Beach. Engine 121 was the first to arrive on the scene and noted heavy smoke and fire coming from the Unit D corner of the two-story-over-parking structure building. The E121 team assumed command and advised a firefighter to stretch a 200-foot line to the affected area while another officer from E121 conducted a 360 check of the building, finding one vehicle and no residents present.

Additional trucks arrived, including ladder engine 139 and trucks from Longboat Key and the City of Bradenton, who also assisted. WMFR’s report notes that fire attack did a good job of extinguishing the fire both interior and exterior and all searches came back negative. According to Fire Marshal Randy Kwiatkowski, the fire started on the exterior second-story balcony of Unit D, but the exact cause was undetermined.

Multiple departments fight Bradenton Beach fire
Firefighters extinguish a fire in a second-floor condo at Birds Nest Apartments, 403 Gulf Drive S. in Bradenton Beach on March 8. – Lewis J. Unger | Submitted

“Our investigation could not determine the cause of the fire in part because the extent of damage to the area of origin compromised the integrity of the balcony, creating an unacceptable life safety risk to our investigators,” Kwiatkowski said. “I did call Bradenton Beach Building Official Steve Gilbert, who responded and condemned Unit D. There were no injuries to firefighters or residents. Also, one note of extreme importance is, at the time of the fire, there was one resident in Unit D in the shower who heard the sound of a smoke alarm. Because of the working smoke alarm, he escaped the fire unharmed. I cannot stress enough that working smoke alarms save lives.”

The fire marshal said the building is a four-unit, all-wood construction apartment building. Units B, C and D are licensed transient public lodging establishments/vacation rentals and all three were being rented at the time of the fire. Once the building was cleared of hot spots and the area was cleaned of debris, residents of the undamaged units were allowed to return.

“Without the extraordinary professionalism of West Manatee firefighters and our partnering agencies, this would no doubt have ended more tragically,” Kwiatkowski noted.

Spring break in full swing on AMI

Spring break in full swing on AMI

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Thousands of students, many with their families, have flocked to AMI to escape the still-freezing temperatures farther north, trading quizzes and tests for beach volleyball and fun in the sun.

Due to different regions of the country having spring break on different weeks, the season here on the Island runs from the first week of March through the first week of April, making spring break more than a month long. Traffic will be heavy, parking will be limited, beaches will be busier than any other time of the year and wait times at restaurants will be longer, but there’s plenty of fun to be had if these things are factored in when making plans for a day on AMI.

“There is parking, even this time of year,” Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said. “Saturday, March 11, the Manatee Beach lot was full by 11:15 a.m., but at 3 p.m. there were still 52 clearly marked parking spots that were open. On Sunday, March 12, the beach lot was full by 10:30 a.m., but more than an hour later at 11:50 a.m., there were still 88 clearly marked parking spots near the beach.”

Tampa International Airport issued a statement saying March 11 and March 26 were the two peak travel days for passengers coming to the area for the spring break season. When local Island residents are asked what the busiest day of the year is, the answer is often March 15, as it is a metaphorical bullseye in the middle of spring break season.

“We’re with Lone Star Soccer Club out of Austin, Texas. We have a tournament in Bradenton this week, so we get to spend our spring break here,” said Shelby Hollywood, who is here with three of her friends. “The water is so clear, the beach is beautiful and the people are friendly; we’re having a great time.”

Unlike Miami, Panama City, Daytona Beach and even Siesta Key, AMI isn’t known as a chaotic “party” spring break destination. Many young people come with their families, and the Island doesn’t experience many of the problems those destinations see year after year. Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach see the highest concentrations of spring breakers on the Island, and neither of those police departments have reported any serious crime or violence so far this season. However, police in all three Island cities warn visitors to practice common sense. Lock car doors and keep valuables out of sight, walk in groups after dark, don’t leave valuables unattended while on the beach, and don’t have pets or drink alcohol on the beach. Alcohol is not permitted on any public beach on AMI, and this is strictly enforced, especially this time of year.

“We want everybody to have a great time, but we also want everyone to be respectful and responsible,” Tokajer said. “Just remember you are vacationing in a residential area.”

According to the Holmes Beach Police Department, which has license plate readers that count how many cars enter the city each day, the first week of March saw 214,740 cars, for an average of 30,677 per day. The first weekend of week two (March 11-12) there were 36,718 and 35,468 respectively, a significant increase, showing the crowds are growing as the season peaks.

AMOB employees save man from drowning

AMOB employees save man from drowning

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – An unidentified 80-year-old man who strolled to the end of the Bradenton Beach Pier at the end of Bridge Street on Friday escaped injury due to the heroic efforts of two Anna Maria Oyster Bar (AMOB) employees.

On the afternoon of March 3, the man took a stroll down the pier with his wife. According to witnesses on the scene, he was leaning over the railing at the end of the pier where the water is the deepest when his glasses fell into the water. The man then made a quick decision to jump in the water to get them back, but was unable to get back up the pier and was in danger of drowning.

According to AMOB employees, when the man went in the water, his wife immediately called the restaurant first, instead of 911, because she knew someone could respond much more quickly, and that’s exactly what happened. As soon as the hostess got the call, employees Roo Tuttle and Frederick Brown ran to the end of the pier as fast as they could. Tuttle then jumped in the water to help the man, who could not get footing to climb back up to the pier.

“He was floating and holding on to part of the pier after he swam to where he could get some footing, but could not get to a ladder that was nearby,” Brown said. “Roo just jumped in the water and pushed up his feet to lift him up, and I grabbed his hands and pulled while she pushed. We got him out safely, and everybody was unhurt.”

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Rescue Unit (MCSO) was the first to arrive on the scene, followed shortly after by Bradenton Beach police and EMS. The man told responders he was unhurt and did not require any EMS treatment. Brown said after the man dried off, he thanked them for being good Samaritans and got on his bike and rode away. Brown also said that the man being a bicycle enthusiast and physically fit probably made a big difference in his ability to be rescued.

A call from The Sun to MCSO confirmed they responded to the scene and the incident was listed as a near-drowning of an 80-year-old male, however, they did not record the man’s name. Bradenton Beach Police also had no report of the man’s name. The AMOB employees said they were more focused on his welfare than his identity, so nobody on the scene could confirm who the victim was.

In the end, the question everyone was asking was whether or not the man got his $700 glasses back.

He retrieved them and held on to them for the entire ordeal, and rode away on his bike wearing them. While this incident has a happy ending, Marine Rescue and Bradenton Beach police both warn that it’s not worth the danger of jumping off the pier if someone drops a cell phone or a pair of glasses. There won’t always be someone close to save a life.