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Majority of Bradenton Beach Police Officers oppose unionization

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

BRADENTON BEACH – On Monday, April 27, six Bradenton Beach police officers informed the mayor and city commission, in writing, that they would vote against unionizing the city’s police department. 

Addressed to the mayor and the city commissioners, the single-page document presented to the city says, “The listed Officers of The City of Bradenton Beach Police Department, including signatures, wish to make officially known that we are voting a definitive NO for the upcoming PERC (unionization) vote. Thank you.”

The six officers whose names are listed on the document are: Thomas Ferrara, Roy Joslin, Eric Hill, Charles Marose, Kyle Orms and John Tsakiri. All but Tsakiri’s name are accompanied by the officer’s signature. In the signature space next to Tsakiri’s name, it says, “Absent due to vacation (votes NO).”

Underneath the officers’ names and signatures, the letter says, “Respectfully, Officers of the Bradenton Beach Police Department.”

Officer Devon Straight and Sgt. Steve Masi’s names do not appear on the letter. 

The proposed union bargaining unit included seven officers and one sergeant, with one officer’s position currently vacant due to the recent departure of Officer Jorge Castro. A union-represented bargaining unit would not include Police Chief John Cosby, Lt. Lenard Diaz and police department clerk and public information officer, ChrisAnn Allen. If a union was formed, Cosby, Diaz and Allen would not become union members due to their non-officer, non-sergeant status within the department.

When contacted by The Sun Monday evening, I.U.P.A. Business Agent and Field Representative Bill Bjork acknowledged that he also received a copy of the letter the six officers sent to the city officials. 

According to the city’s labor attorney, Robert Eschenfelder, at least five potential union members would need to vote yes in order for the Bradenton Beach union to be formed. With six of the eight potential union members now expressing written opposition to unionization, the unionization of the police department now seems unlikely – but a final vote had not occurred as of Monday evening.

It is not yet known what impact, if any, the six officers’ opposition to unionization will have on the mayor and city commission’s pending decision as to whether the Bradenton Beach Police Department will remain intact and continue to provide the city’s police service, or eventually be disbanded and replaced with contracted law enforcement services provided by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s cost estimate

After discussing the potential police department unionization during a special city commission meeting held on Thursday, April 23, the mayor, commissioners, police chief and labor attorney also discussed contracting the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to provide the city’s law enforcement services instead, with an estimated first-year cost savings of $628,000. 

Regarding his communications with the sheriff’s office, Eschenfelder said, “Yesterday, I was informed by the sheriff’s office that their preliminary review of our staffing needs is that they would be able to perform that role for $1.5 million, and likely less. That is based upon eight deputies and one sergeant. When you look at your current budget of $2,128,000 for municipal policing, that’s a saving for the city of $628,000 a year.”  

Regarding the potential cost savings, Mayor John Chappie said, “We have a fiduciary responsibility. We are sworn to maintain the health, safety and well-being of our community and the police department is the key to that. I think we need to continue the negotiations with the proposal from the sheriff’s department.”

Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce said, “I love our guys, and I love our police department, but we really are in a crossroads here financially. It’s our duty as commissioners to at least look at that proposal from the sheriff.” 

Commissioner Cole said, “I’m torn about this. I think we should keep all our options open.”

The future fate of the Bradenton Beach Police Department will be determined by the mayor and city commissioners. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The commission agreed that more specific information was needed from the sheriff’s office – including more details about the additional policing that currently takes place in the Community Redevelopment Agency on weekends and certain weekday evenings. The CRA district includes Bridge Street. The additional CRA policing is paid for using separate CRA funds rather than the city’s general fund. 

The mayor and commission also wants more detailed cost information about deputies’ overtime pay during special events and peak holiday periods.

The April 23 meeting ended with the commission unanimously approving a motion to approve continuing with a formal request for Sheriff Rick Wells to provide “an operational analysis to provide an agreement for the city of Bradenton Beach for the sheriff to take over the law enforcement activities of the city of Bradenton Beach.” 

No final decision was made regarding who will provide the city’s future law enforcement services, and the commission is scheduled to meet next on Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m. During the May 7 commission meeting, public input can be given regarding the commission’s pending decision as to which agency will provide the city’s law enforcement services. 

The agenda for the May 7 meeting will be published later this week. If the proposed sheriff’s office agreement and other police matters are included as a specific agenda item, or items, public comment on those matters can be given at that time. If the sheriff’s office agreement and/or law enforcement services are not included on the May 7 agenda, public comment on non-agenda items can be given at the beginning of the meeting, with each speaker being given three minutes to speak.

Officers speak

None of the potentially impacted officers attended the April 23 meeting, but over the weekend, two officers spoke to The Sun on the condition that they remain anonymous.   

One officer said unionization did not appear likely because a majority of the officers did not support it. 

Another officer said, “The decision to unionize was never a matter of pay, but rather representation against threats and misconduct from the administration – the very kind now being disguised in public as financially motivated.”

This officer also referenced the April 21 cease-and-desist letter that union-affiliated attorney Bradley Rothman sent to the mayor, the commissioners, Chief Cosby, and Lt. Diaz. 

Cease and desist letter

Rothman is a member of the Naples-based Weldon Rothman law firm. His letter includes the header: “Demand to cease and desist unlawful threats, interference and retaliation concerning protected union activity.”

“We represent the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA) in connection with the pending representation-certification petition that seeks to represent the city’s regular full-time sworn law enforcement officers employed in the rank of officer or sergeant,” Rothman’s letter says. 

“This letter serves as a formal demand that the city of Bradenton Beach, its police department and all elected officials, supervisors, managers and agents immediately cease and desist from any threats, coercion, intimidation, interference, discrimination, retaliation or reprisals directed at officers because they have exercised protected rights to organize, to associate with one another, to seek union representation and to petition for collective representation.

“The city is already on notice of serious misconduct. The officers’ March 20 request for recognition recounts that during a March 12 department meeting, Lieutenant Diaz addressed reports of union activity by stating, among other things, ‘I dare you to pursue a union and you will feel our wrath,’ that ‘the city won’t go for it,’ and that “I will be here another three to five years and you won’t.’”

Regarding Diaz’s alleged comments, Rothman’s letter says, “That is not protected managerial opinion. It is an explicit threat of reprisal for protected activity, and it conveys unmistakably that officers who support unionization can expect retaliation affecting their tenure and future employment. The timing of the city’s current conduct raises an additional and deeply troubling inference of retaliation. 

“After the filing of the PERC (Public Employees Relations Commission) petition, and after officers engaged in protected organizing activity, the city placed on a public agenda both a discussion of the PERC petition and a discussion of whether law enforcement services should be provided by the sheriff. 
“The prospect of dissolving, transferring or outsourcing the department had not been seriously advanced before the officers sought representation. A public employer may not weaponize restructuring, review or operational considerations as a means of retaliating against employees who choose to organize,” Rothman stated in his letter.

“The city must also refrain from taking any action to abolish, transfer, outsource, reduce or otherwise undermine bargaining-unit work where the action is motivated in whole or in part by anti-union animus, or by a desire to defeat the pending representation effort,” Rothman wrote.

Unionization discussed

When discussing the potential unionization during the April 23 meeting, Eschenfelder said the unionization had not yet been formally voted on, but a number of officers had submitted “interest cards” expressing a desire to examine the opportunity to vote to create a union. 

“Those have been signed and submitted to the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC). The next step is requiring the city to respond within a certain period of time as to whether the proposed bargaining unit is the appropriate bargaining unit,” Eschenfelder said.

He also said, “This does not mean the union is formed. There is a concept that PERC examines, which is called unity of interest. In this case, PERC wants to know what the city’s position is with respect to a sergeant being in the same bargaining unit as officers.”

The commission reached unanimous consensus to allow Eschenfelder to register no objection to the structure of the proposed union bargaining unit. 

Eschenfelder said PERC would schedule an election and if at least five potential union members voted yes, the department would be unionized and the city would then be legally obligated to negotiate with the union on behalf of its new members.

Bradenton Beach considers replacing police department with sheriff’s office

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach police officers’ efforts to potentially unionize the department have morphed into serious consideration by the city commission to utilize law enforcement services provided by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office instead.

The agenda for the special city commission meeting that took place on Thursday, April 23, contained two items. The first agenda item was a discussion about the representation-certification petition the International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A) submitted with the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission on April 10, on behalf of the Bradenton Beach police officers.

The second agenda item was a discussion about the city’s law enforcement services possibly being provided by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). The sheriff’s office’s $1.5 million preliminary law enforcement proposal is $628,000 less than the $2.12 million budgeted for the city’s police department during the current 2025-26 fiscal year. 

The first agenda item was quickly dispensed with. The second agenda item commanded the bulk of the conversation during the 80-minute special meeting. 

Unionization discussion

Attorney Robert Eschenfelder represented the city during the special meeting. Eschenfelder, a labor law and employment law specialist, is a partner in the Trask Daigneault law firm that provides the contracted services of City Attorney Erica Augello.

Labor attorney Robert Eschenfelder discussed the city’s policing options. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“There have been a number of interest cards where the group of public employees (police officers) want to examine the opportunity to vote to create a union,” Eschenfelder said. “Those have been signed and submitted to the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC). The next step is requiring the city to respond within a certain period of time as to whether the proposed bargaining unit is the appropriate bargaining unit.”

The proposed union bargaining unit currently consists of eight officers (including one recently vacated officer’s unfilled position) and one sergeant. 

The union-represented bargaining unit would not include Police Chief John Cosby, Lt. Lenard Diaz and police department clerk and public information officer, ChrisAnn Allen.

Cosby was the only member of the police department who attended the special meeting. I.U.P.A. Business Agent and Field Representative Bill Bjork attended the city meeting, but he did not speak or participate.

Police Chief John Cosby would not be represented by the union if the department is unionized. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“I want to make it clear that this does not mean the union is formed,” Eschenfelder said. “There is a concept that PERC examines, which is called ‘unity of interest.’ In this case, PERC wants to know what the city’s position is with respect to a sergeant being in the same bargaining unit as officers”

He advised the commission not to expend any resources to fight the proposed unionization and to allow him to inform PERC that the city has no objections to sergeants and officers being represented as part of the same bargaining unit.

The commission reached unanimous consensus to allow Eschenfelder to register no objection on that point.

Eschenfelder said PERC would schedule an election. He said if at least five of the eight potential union members vote yes, the department would be unionized. The city would then be legally obligated to negotiate with the union on behalf of the Bradenton Beach union members. It’s also possible that the proposed unionization could be voted down. 

MCSO discussion

Prior to the recent unionization efforts, the Bradenton Beach Commission never entertained the idea of replacing the city’s police department with contracted law enforcement services provided by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  

The city of Anna Maria does not have its own police department and the sheriff’s office has long provided that city’s contracted law enforcement services. The city of Anna Maria is paying the sheriff’s office approximately $1.7 million for the law enforcement services being provided during the current 2025-26 fiscal year.  The city of Holmes Beach has its own police department, which is operating with a $5.6 million budget for the current fiscal year. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Holmes Beach Police Department are not unionized.

When discussing an agreement with the sheriff’s office for such services, Eschenfelder referenced the April 21 cease and desist letter sent to Mayor John Chappie, the city commissioners, Chief Cosby and Lt. Diaz by attorney Bradley Rothman, from the Naples-based Weldon and Rothman Law Firm. 

“You are familiar with the correspondence that was received by the union lawyer saying that this is nothing more than anti-union hostility and so forth,” Eschenfelder said.

Rothman’s letter alleges police officers have received “explicit threats of reprisal for protected (union) activity.”

Regarding that allegation, Eschenfelder said, “The city completely understands and respects that folks are entitled to be members of a public sector union, but you all (as elected officials) have a separate fiduciary duty to the taxpayers, and a budget, to always make sure you’re doing the right thing.” 

In addition to serving as police chief, Cosby has served as the city’s public works director since Tom Woodard vacated that position in May of 2024.

“You have a police chief who has made it known to many of you that his intention is to retire. He has interest in being the public works director for the city and there’s going to be a transition there in the police department,” Eschenfelder said.

Eschenfelder said he’s had preliminary discussions with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office with respect to a transition to county-provided law enforcement services. He said that transition could result in substantial cost savings for the city. 

“I have worked with the general counsel’s office for the past few days on what would the transition look like,” Eschenfelder said. “Yesterday, I was informed by the sheriff’s office that their preliminary review of our staffing needs is that they would be able to perform that role for $1.5 million, and likely less. That is based upon eight deputies and one sergeant. When you look at your current budget of $2,128,000 for municipal policing, that’s a saving for the city of $628,000 a year.”  

Cosby asked if the sheriff’s office indicated a timeframe as to when it could start providing those law enforcement services if a formal proposal is later approved by the city commission. 

Eschenfelder said the sheriff’s office is flexible, but the county-provided law enforcement services would likely begin on Oct. 1, which is the first day of the city and the county’s 2026-27 fiscal year. 

Regarding the potential loss of officers during a transition period, Eschenfelder said, “If the city does approve an agreement and a significant number of our officers go find other jobs, which could occur, it may become unviable to maintain the police department over the summer months. Obviously, the sheriff will begin earlier.”

Eschenfelder said the sheriff’s office would need to hire additional deputies to accommodate Bradenton Beach’s law enforcement services and that could possibly include hiring current Bradenton Beach officers if they qualify and choose to apply.

“We can continue the status quo unless we run into that situation where there’s a mass exodus of officers,” Cosby said.

Eschenfelder said the commission could discontinue its discussion about the sheriff’s office and maintain the city police department even if the officers vote to unionize. He said the city would then need to negotiate a contract with the union and that annual contract would likely exceed $2 million.

“Or do we want to direct staff to negotiate with the sheriff?” he said. 

Commissioner Ralph Cole said the commission needs to explore all possible funding sources and police service options.

Eschenfelder said the commission could raise property taxes to generate additional revenues, but there aren’t many other potential funding sources the city can turn to. Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce noted the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis hope to eliminate property taxes on homesteaded residential properties. 

Cosby noted total aggregate value of all Bradenton Beach properties is much less than it is in Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key. Cosby said the additional property tax revenues generated in those neighboring cities provide more funds for law enforcement operations and allow for higher officer salaries.

The commission expressed no support for increasing property taxes to generate more tax revenues for police services. 

Mayor John Chappie supports getting a more detailed proposal from the sheriff’s office. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“We have a fiduciary responsibility,” Mayor Chappie said. “We are sworn to maintain the health, safety and well-being of our community and the police department is the key to that. I think we need to continue the negotiations with the proposal from the sheriff’s department.”

Scaccianoce’s brother, Sam Speciale, served as a Bradenton Beach police officer and then served as the Bradenton Beach police chief for many years until his retirement in 2021. 

Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce has a long relationship with the Bradenton Beach Police Department. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“I have a special attachment to the police department,” Scaccianoce said.  “I love our guys and I love our police department, but we really are in a crossroads here financially. It’s our duty as commissioners to at least look at that proposal from the sheriff.” 

Eschenfelder addressed the city’s current police budget.

“The $2,128,000 budget is your current budget without a union contract, so the issue really is that maintaining a local police department has its costs. There are certain costs because it’s a small agency and you don’t have economy of scale,” he said. “You pay your own insurance premiums, workers’ comp, vehicles, vehicle maintenance, and all that would be handled in a much more efficient way with a larger agency.”

Eschenfelder said the sheriff’s office currently has no interest in occupying the police station building on Church Street and the city could use that space for other city operations.

Cosby addressed the special policing services currently provided by the police department in the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) district that includes the Bridge Street business district. Separate CRA funds are used to pay for the additional policing that occurs along Bridge Street during peak weekend and holiday periods.

Cosby said the sheriff’s office’s initial proposal does not include additional CRA patrols.  

“You would have to make a request for off-duty deputies and we would pay them (using CRA funds), but there’s no guarantee that anybody’s going to sign up for it.  There’s a lot of off-duty time offered to them throughout the county.”

Cosby noted the county currently contracts the city to patrol the county-owned beaches in Bradenton Beach. He said the sheriff’s office would have to assume those patrol and enforcement duties if the police department is eliminated. He also said the sheriff’s office would have to enforce the boats and derelict vessels that anchor in the city’s waterways, including the unmanaged mooring area south of the Bradenton Beach Pier.

“Sometimes you pay more for something because you like it better and it’s more suitable for our situation,” Cole said. “I’m torn about this. I think we should keep all our options open.” 

Commissioner Ralph Cole wants to consider all possible policing options. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioner Scott Bear, who also serves as the CRA chair, pointed out that the CRA has $134,000 in its budget for CRA policing. 

“That would be an additional cost, so I’d like to see that added into the quote from the sheriff,” Bear said. 

Commissioner Scott Bear wants the additional CRA policing costs included in the sheriff’s office proposal. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioner Robert Talham asked how many of the city’s officers voted for unionization.

“PERC would not have sent a requirement for us to respond if a majority of the potential bargaining unit members hadn’t signed interest cards,” Eschenfelder said. “We’re not allowed to know who did. The gentleman who initiated this discussion among the officers has since left the force.” 

“He poked the bee’s nest and left?” Talham said of that officer’s departure. 

Regarding future negotiations with a unionized police department, Talham said, “When we talk to these people, are we talking in the officers’ interest or are we talking to a union machine?”

Eschenfelder said the union would decide who sits at the negotiating table on behalf of its members: “If a majority of officers say we vote to hand our fate over to the union, then from that point forward we can’t stick our nose behind the curtain and say ‘Who are you sending? Why isn’t the officer here at the table?’ That is none of our business. Whoever shows up across the table from us, we are to presume is speaking on behalf of and in the best interest of the officers.”

“I guess the sheriff’s proposal is looking mighty wonderful,” Talham responded.

Commissioner Robert Talham is concerned about the city having to negotiate with police union representatives. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Cosby said county deputies are fully equipped and provided with equipment the city’s officers currently don’t have. 

“Right now, we don’t have body cams, we don’t have cams in cars, we need to replace our radios and all this stuff is extremely expensive,” Cosby said. “Most of the (law enforcement) agencies are also accredited. These are things, if unionized, that the union will expect us to do.” 

Public comment

Bradenton Beach resident Bill Clemens was the only meeting attendee to provide public comment. 

“The dollars being spoken about aren’t quite apples-to-apples. I wonder why is there a $600,000 swing? I understand there’s an economy of scale with the sheriff’s department, but are there some things they’re not providing? Or are there things we could do here to maintain our police department at a closer cost?” Clemens said.

Eschenfelder said the $628,000 difference between the city’s budgeted policing costs and the sheriff’s office’s proposed costs are due to cost efficiencies the sheriff’s office experiences as a much larger agency.  

“I like what Mr. Clemens said about apples-to-apples,” Scaccianoce said. “We need to have an apples-to-apples comparison. What would overtime look like as far as the sheriff for special events and the increase in population during season? This is not black and white. There are a lot of variables involved.”

Motion adopted

The commission unanimously approved the following motion: “To approve continuing with a formal request from Sheriff (Rick) Wells for an operational analysis to provide an agreement for the city of Bradenton Beach for the sheriff to take over the law enforcement activities of the city of Bradenton Beach.” 

No final decisions were made during the special city commission meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

No final decisions have been made in regard to who will provide the city’s law enforcement services and further discussion and decision-making will take place at a future commission meeting or meetings. The commission is scheduled to meet next on Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m.

Union rep speaks

After the meeting ended, Bjork, the union representative, spoke to the media. 

“We’re not adversarial,” he said. “I came here to listen to what the proposals and thoughts are. It’s just sad that we filed a petition with PERC and then, all of a sudden, they have a special meeting to discuss that PERC petition, and then also discuss having the deputies take over. I can appreciate their wanting to explore their options, but I would say in the long run they would be far better off with their own local police agency that they would have more control over, and with officers that have a good relationship with the community.”

The video recording of the entire April 23 meeting can be viewed here.

Sun reporter Joe Hendricks contributed to this story. 

Bradenton Beach Police Department wants to unionize, Sun to livestream Thursday’s special meeting 

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

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 23, at 9 a.m. to discuss a representation-certification petition the International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A) submitted with the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission on April 10.

The union seeks to serve as the bargaining unit for members of the Bradenton Beach Police Department who hold the rank of officer or sergeant. The union does not seek to represent Police Chief John Cosby, Lt. Lenard Diaz or the police department’s clerk and public information officer, ChrisAnn Allen. 

The meeting agenda also includes a discussion about the potential for the city’s law enforcement services to be provided by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office instead.

The city of Anna Maria does not have a city police department and instead contracts the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to provide the city’s law enforcement services. 

Open to the public, the meeting will be held at Bradenton Beach City Hall in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers at 107 Gulf Drive North.

Thursday’s meeting will be livestreamed and archived at the Anna Maria Island Sun Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun

The meeting video will also later be archived at the Sun website.

Read the I.U.P.A certification petition here.

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.”