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Tag: Holmes Beach Police Department

National Night Out draws crowds to the Island

National Night Out draws crowds to the Island

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Family fun, Featured, Festivals.

HOLMES BEACH – Hundreds braved the warm weather and came out to city field for the biggest National Night Out the city has ever seen.

National Night Out is a nationwide program to provide an evening of fun for families and help community members not only become closer with each other but also have a healthy relationship with local law enforcement.

The annual event, in its fourth year, drew children and their parents from as close by as Anna Maria Island and as far away as East Bradenton and Sarasota. Everyone who came out enjoyed lots of fun, food, games and prizes for adults, big kids and little kids. The best part is that the Island community came together along with a few nearby business owners and representatives to put on the family-friendly event for free.

Dozens of sponsors provided bicycles, toys, skateboards, Kindle Fire tablets, books, games, food, drinks, bounce houses, inflatable slides and other attractions for the event. The Sun provided 30 backpacks packed with school supplies which were given out to elementary-age students. All of the donations allowed the Holmes Beach Police Department, serving as coordinator and staff for the event, to not have to charge a penny to the attendees.

Each year the event takes months to plan and dozens of sponsors and volunteers to pull off. City staff gets in on the fun, volunteering for the event, along with some of the city’s elected officials. Commissioner Carol Soustek helped the grill team from Waste Pro hand out hotdogs and chips while Commissioner Jim Kihm walked the field to check on volunteers. Commissioner Pat Morton even took a turn in the dunk tank where he was dropped into the water by City Treasurer Lori Hill. Hill and City Clerk Stacey Johnston helped hand out prizes at the park’s pavilion, which also served as a DJ booth for Code Compliance Officer James Thomas. Code Compliance Officer Nate Brown taught some of the kids new dance moves with the electric slide while volunteer Denise Johnson read to the children and showed them a few dance moves of her own.

“We want to thank all of our donors, sponsors and volunteers,” Chief Bill Tokajer said during the National Night Out festivities. “This is a great event for the community.”

The Holmes Beach National Night Out community celebration is held the first Tuesday in October each year.

Kids splash down into a pool at the end of a giant inflatable waterslide before running back up the stairs to slide down again at National Night Out. The waterslide, one of the most popular attractions in the late afternoon heat, was sponsored by Sato Real Estate. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Kids splash down into a pool at the end of a giant inflatable waterslide before running back up the stairs to slide down again at National Night Out. The waterslide, one of the most popular attractions in the late afternoon heat, was sponsored by Sato Real Estate. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Commissioner Carol Soustek gives the grill team from Waste Pro a helping hand by handing out hotdogs and chips. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Commissioner Carol Soustek gives the grill team from Waste Pro a helping hand by handing out hotdogs and chips. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Mayor Judy Titsworth is joined by her daughter and grandchildren at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Mayor Judy Titsworth is joined by her daughter and grandchildren at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A waterfall of sparkling jewels cascades from a funnel and through the fingers of one little girl who said that digging through the jewel vault, new this year, was her favorite part of National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

A waterfall of sparkling jewels cascades from a funnel and through the fingers of one little girl who said that digging through the jewel vault, new this year, was her favorite part of National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Some kids balance on top of an inflatable disk at a bounce house. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Some kids balance on top of an inflatable disk at a bounce house. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Volunteers hand out hula hoops for a hula hoop contest where the last person still hula hooping wins a new Kindle Fire tablet and the honor of being named Hula Hoop Champion of the World, at least until the next contest is held. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Volunteers hand out hula hoops for a hula hoop contest where the last person still hula hooping wins a new Kindle Fire tablet and the honor of being named Hula Hoop Champion of the World, at least until the next contest is held. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Kids compete for the title of hula hoop champion at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Kids compete for the title of hula hoop champion at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One little girl gets acquainted with a four legged Manatee County Sheriff's deputy. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One little girl gets acquainted with a four legged Manatee County Sheriff's deputy. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One young attendee pitches a throw that sinks Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton in the dunk tank at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One young attendee pitches a throw that sinks Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton in the dunk tank at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Denise Johnson and Code Compliance Officer James Thomas ham it up at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Denise Johnson and Code Compliance Officer James Thomas ham it up at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Code Compliance Officers James Thomas and Nate Brown join Chief Bill Tokajer in handing out prizes at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Code Compliance Officers James Thomas and Nate Brown join Chief Bill Tokajer in handing out prizes at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One daredevil takes a trip down the big inflatable slide. - Kristin Swain | Sun

One daredevil takes a trip down the big inflatable slide. - Kristin Swain | Sun

These volunteers take advantage of the shade while making balloon animals, crowns and flowers for everyone at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

These volunteers take advantage of the shade while making balloon animals, crowns and flowers for everyone at National Night Out. - Kristin Swain | Sun

HBPD celebrates its own

HBPD celebrates its own

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Police officers celebrated an addition to their ranks, the promotion of one of their own and gave a standing ovation to a retiring officer during the Aug. 27 city commission meeting.

Chief Bill Tokajer first introduced Officer Francis Rodriguez. Rodriguez comes to the HBPD after serving nearly 22 years with the NYPD and retiring from New York as a lieutenant. He also served briefly with the Sarasota Airport Police before coming to Holmes Beach. Rodriguez relocated to the area with his wife and children.

“Officer Rodriguez is a welcome addition to the Holmes Beach Police Department, and we’re happy to have him on board,” Tokajer said before swearing in Rodriguez.

Next, officers celebrated the promotion of Mike Walker to the rank of patrol sergeant. Though Walker’s promotion was effective Aug. 24, he also was sworn in to his new position during the Aug. 27 meeting. Walker has served the city since 2008 and was named Officer of the Year in 2009, 2013, 2016 and 2019. He also received a Congressional Award for Dedication and Professionalism in 2016 and 2019.

His wife Maria and 10-month-old daughter Kinsley were on hand for the promotion ceremony. After being sworn in, Walker’s wife Maria stepped up to pin his new gold shield on his uniform.

The end of the ceremony was bittersweet as officers, elected officials and community members gave a standing ovation to retired Officer Alan Bores, who was recognized for his service to the community.

He came to the HBPD in 2015. As a result of a June 2018 traffic accident, Bores was forced to retire early from service with the HBPD due to injuries sustained while on duty. During a routine traffic stop, Bores’ vehicle was struck from the rear by a drunk driver, totaling his vehicle and damaging another officer’s vehicle. Bores sustained serious injuries from the crash.

“This selfish and preventable act by this drunk driver has changed the direction of Officer Bores and his fiancé Anna’s lives forever,” Tokajer said. “Officer Bores’ injuries have tragically ended his law enforcement career way too soon.

“This is a loss that will be felt by this community, our police department and personally by me. It has been my honor to have Officer Bores as an officer and to call him my friend.”

“This is a perfect example of why we take drunk driving so seriously in Holmes Beach,” Tokajer added. “Drunk drivers change the lives of people forever.”

Prior to his retirement, Bores was a drug recognition expert and DUI and traffic enforcement specialist with several commendations to his name including the 2016 HBPD Officer of the Year award recipient.

Holmes Beach logo OLD

Holmes Beach budget questions answered

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders began budget talks for the 2019-20 fiscal year beginning in July. With two budget hearings now set for September, The Sun is taking your questions to city leaders to get answers to items that concern community members.

Where did the City Planner’s salary go?

Some changes have come to city hall in the current fiscal year regarding City Planner Bill Brisson. Brisson went from a contract employee with Holmes Beach to a part-time employee and is making the move to a full-time position for the 2019-20 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. In previous years, the monies paid to the planner were logged under the building department’s budget in the overall city budget. For the coming year, the planner’s salary and benefits have been moved out of the building department and are in the general government budget. The general government budget includes the city clerk’s office, the city treasurer, the development director position and human resources as well as the planner. The total amount for salaries for eight full-time employees is budgeted at $586,140, up from $415,395 in the current fiscal year. Including benefits, the total amount for employees increases to $828,112, up from $602,951 in the current fiscal year ending Sept. 30.

Should we replace bulletproof vests every three years?

The short answer to this one is yes, the bulletproof vests supplied to Holmes Beach police officers do need to be replaced regularly. The reason why is because the vests degrade over time due to heat, the environment and just regular wear and tear, according to Police Chief Bill Tokajer. Just like a child’s car seat, the vests also have an expiration date. Tokajer said he tries to stagger the replacements so that only a few are replaced per year but that replacing the vests is mandatory in order to make sure every officer has adequate protection when on patrol. HBPD officers typically wear their bulletproof vests when outside of the police station as a part of their uniform. In the budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year, Tokajer lists that four bulletproof vests are scheduled to be replaced at a cost of $1,000 each.

Why does Code Compliance have a budget outside of the HBPD?

Code Compliance, previously known as Code Enforcement, has its own budget because the department is its own entity within the departmental framework at Holmes Beach City Hall. With the expansion of the department to three officers and a budget to add a fourth officer, along with a move from the HBPD side of city hall to the public works barn, the department incurs its own expenses that need to be recorded outside of the police department. Currently, Code Compliance Officer James Thomas serves as the department’s leader. This is not the first year that the department has had its own budget. The proposed budget for the department for the upcoming fiscal year is $481,644, including $309,818 for salaries and benefits for four full-time employees, compared to a total of $290,396 with $212,496 budgeted for employee salaries and benefits in the current fiscal year.

Why is there no increase in the beach patrol income from Manatee County?

Manatee County gives the city $10,000 annually to help cover the costs associated with HBPD officers patrolling the county-owned beaches. Tokajer said he approaches county leaders every year to increase the amount paid to the city but so far has been unable to get the amount increased. During budget hearings, he said that he’s keeping statistics on the amount of people coming to the beaches in Holmes Beach and how much the city actually spends on beach patrol to help bolster his position when the opportunity arises to attempt to renegotiate with the county.

Related coverage

Holmes Beach budget talks begin

First hatchlings of season disoriented on Fourth

First hatchlings of season disoriented on Fourth

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

HOLMES BEACH – Sea turtle hatchlings whose dash to freedom on Independence Day was spoiled by lights got a police escort to the Gulf of Mexico.

The loggerhead turtles – the first nest to hatch this season on Anna Maria Island – were disoriented by lights on the first floor at the Anna Maria Beach Resort, 6306 Gulf Drive, and further hampered by fireworks and fireworks debris, tents on the beach, holes dug in the sand and beach litter, according to the Holmes Beach Police Department report.

A group of people gathered on the beach for fireworks flagged down Officer Alex Hurt, patrolling the beach in a police four-wheeler, and told him about the hatchlings, which were “going in every direction other than towards the water,” according to the report.

Turtle talks continue

Get the scoop on sea turtles at Turtle Talks, presented by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers.

The 30-minute program of videos, photos and stories about the sea turtles that nest and hatch on the Island from May through October includes a description of how they survey for nesting turtles on the beaches.

Attendees will be the first to know the dates, times and locations of upcoming nest excavations, where volunteers dig into hatched nests to count the eggshells and determine the number of hatchlings produced.

Free gifts, including temporary turtle tattoos, will be distributed, and official AMITW T-shirts, stickers and ball caps will be available for a donation.

Schedule:

Tuesday, July 16, 10 a.m., CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

Tuesday, July 23, 10 a.m., CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

Tuesday, July 30, 10 a.m., CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

“The baby turtles were along the building, some falling in the landscaping planters,” according to Officer Adam DeSantis’ report.

“I located one baby turtle that had fallen off the edge of the sidewalk, in the landscaping, flipped on its back unable to flip back over,” he wrote. “I gathered up approximately 10 baby turtles from the Anna Maria Beach Resort property. The baby turtles were transported safely to the water’s edge, where they were released. The baby turtles found their way into the water safely.”

Other hatchlings trapped in the sea oats between the beach and the resort also were rescued and released, bringing the total saved to about 40, according to the report.

First hatchlings of season disoriented on 4th
Sea turtle season continues through Oct. 31. – Cindy Lane | Sun

The city’s code compliance department has given the resort a directive to fix the lighting and appear before a special magistrate, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said, adding that the resort lighting will be checked nightly for compliance.

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox also contacted the resort about replacing its adjustable outdoor lighting system, which is out of compliance with the local turtle lighting ordinance.

The adjustable feature leads to lights being turned on during turtle season – May 1 to Oct. 31 – either intentionally or because people forget to change the settings, she said, adding that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission does not approve adjustable lighting for beachfront applications.

Disorientations are historically common in the area, Fox said.

“The police did a fine job photographing and helping pick up hatchlings,” she said, suggesting that hatchlings should be released in the water where it’s dark, “or they may come right back up out of the water.”

Tokajer estimates that 10,000 people were on the beach as late as 11 p.m. on the Fourth of July.

Ahead of the curve

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.

Another school year has come and gone with no harmful incidents to students or staff at Anna Maria Elementary School (AME).

In this day and age, safety has become a worry for all schools in this country. As a result, the Manatee County School District has opted to place armed personnel at all county schools to patrol the grounds and provide a first line of safety just in case the unthinkable should happen.

Here on Anna Maria Island, the Holmes Beach Police Department has been way ahead of the curve for years, doing a stellar job of protecting the grade-schoolers with a school resource officer and educating them with the DARE (Drug Awareness Resistance and Education) program.

At the AME Awards Ceremony last Wednesday, Holmes Beach Police Officer and AME School Resource Officer Josh Fleischer and Police Chief Bill Tokajer handed out DARE completion certificates to fifth-graders, with former resource officer Brian Copeman also present.

Select students read essays they wrote about the DARE class and what they had learned about the hazards of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

As the uniformed law enforcement officials stood in the auditorium, it was clear to all that they were there not just to provide protection but also to be a very human and intricate part of the program and these kids’ lives. At the close of the ceremony, parents and children gave the officers a loud and heartfelt round of applause.

It was just their way – the Island way – of saying thank you to those who keep the peace in paradise.

Vickers sentencing set

Vickers gets life in death of toddler

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Holmes Beach.

David Vickers has been sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole in the death of 16-month-old Luca Scholey on Aug. 21, 2017.

Vickers was found guilty of second-degree murder and neglect of a child with great bodily harm in the death of the child.

Vickers was babysitting Luca and his sister for their mother, Melissa Scholey, when he called EMS to report the boy was not breathing. The child was flown to All Children’s Hospital where he died.

According to the Holmes Beach police report, Vickers said Luca had run into his sister while playing, but an autopsy showed signs of physical abuse, including broken ribs in stages of healing.

Related coverage

Vickers sentencing set

Arrest made in child’s death

Two Holmes Beach police officers honored

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach Police Detective Sergeant Brian Hall and Officer Michael Walker were honored at the 2019 Congressional Law Enforcement Awards on May 13.

They each received a Dedication and Professionalism award from Congressman Vern Buchanan for their work on a home invasion burglary arrest that occurred in 2018. Both officers also have been nominated as the Officer of the Year for the Holmes Beach Police Department for 2018.

On June 28th, 2018, Officer Walker and Hall with other officers responded to a home invasion burglary/aggravated battery on a person over 65 years of age that had just occurred. The victim had returned home to find a male suspect burglarizing her home. The suspect beat her unconscious and fled the residence. During the exhaustive investigation, security cameras were located on neighboring homes that captured the suspect and his vehicle. Following up on tips, the suspect was located and arrested based on the physical evidence and video. The suspect was interviewed by Hall with an assist from Detective Lieutenant Bourque from Longboat Key, and confessed to the crime.

After the arrest, it was learned that the suspect had a storage unit in Bradenton. A search warrant was executed on the storage unit. The storage unit was found to be full of stolen items from all over Manatee County, dating back to 2012. Due to the amount of property in the storage unit, the entire property crimes and crime scene divisions from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office had to assist with the recovery. Officer Walker took it upon himself to go through numerous unsolved burglary cases from years prior and assisted Sergeant Hall in matching stolen items with the inventory recovered from the storage unit. Due to their efforts, at least six other victims were able to be reunited with their stolen property and several other cases were closed.

The Holmes Beach Police Department hired Hall and Walker in 2008 as full-time officers. Hall worked previously with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. They have both made the City of Holmes Beach a safer place to live, visit and conduct business due to their outstanding police work and dedication to these cases, according to Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer.

Grace period given for golf cart seatbelts

Grace period given for golf cart seatbelts

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – If you live in Holmes Beach and drive a regular golf cart around town, you now need seatbelts for yourself and every passenger.

Commissioners voted to approve a final reading of an ordinance requiring all golf carts to have seatbelts for drivers and passengers. The ordinance also requires that all children riding in the golf cart be strapped into a child restraint seat appropriate to their size, just like they are in a car.

To help residents understand the new requirements and implement the necessary changes to their golf carts, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said that no tickets will be given to golf cart drivers whose vehicles are not equipped with seatbelts for a five-month period. The grace period is to allow owners time to get seatbelts installed and educate the public on just what the new ordinance means for them. The grace period began March 26.

Tokajer noted that residents can get a kit typically for less than $100 to install the seatbelts themselves or take the golf cart to a repair shop where they can be professionally installed.

The ordinance also clarifies language about where golf carts can be driven in the city. Golf carts are only allowed on streets with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or lower. The regulations for low speed vehicles – those that are registered with the state, have a license plate and insurance – remain unchanged. Low speed vehicles can be driven through the city on streets with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or lower. A driver’s license is required to operate all golf carts and low speed vehicles in Holmes Beach.

For the purposes of the ordinance, a golf cart is considered a golf cart only if it does not have a license plate and insurance. If a golf cart is registered, it’s considered a low speed vehicle. Holmes Beach is the only Island city that allows unregistered golf carts to be driven on the road.

Related coverage

Letters to the Editor: Where did you go, “Island time?”

Holmes Beach considers golf cart regulations

How to report noise in Holmes Beach

How to report noise in Holmes Beach

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Excessive noise in residential areas is once again a hot topic of conversation in the Island’s largest city.

With the high tourist season in full swing, new visitors are coming in every day, some for several months and some for just a few days. The influx of visitors into residential areas where homes are built close together sometimes creates an issue for residents due to increased noise. City leaders enacted a noise ordinance more than a year ago with a public education component to help alleviate the issues for residents and remind visitors that they’re vacationing in a residential neighborhood.

The noise ordinance limits daytime noise to 65 decibels and nighttime noise, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., to 50 decibels. At 55 decibels, noise is described as a quiet conversation between two people or light traffic. At 65 decibels, noise should be at about the level of a normal conversation or regular vehicular traffic. And while the level of noise decreases the further away from it you are, in Holmes Beach’s residential areas, sometimes the furthest away you can get on your own property isn’t that far away at all. When noise becomes a problem, residents and visitors are encouraged to report the issue to the Holmes Beach Police Department.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the correct way to report a noise complaint is to call the police department’s dispatcher directly at 941-708-5807. Do not call 911. By calling dispatch, Tokajer said it allows the call to be recorded, creating a record of the incident. Callers can give their name and address or be anonymous. Anonymous callers also have the ability to give their name and address but to remain anonymous on the police records. During the day, if available, code enforcement officers respond to noise complaints. At night, or during the day if code enforcement officers are not available, police officers respond to complaints.

When officers respond to a noise complaint, they take along one of the city’s two noise meters. Officers use the decibel measurement from the noise meter to determine if the noise observed is in violation of the city’s noise ordinance. When a caller identifies themselves to dispatchers when placing the noise complaint, officers can approach the home and, if permitted, observe the noise and take meter readings from where the complainant heard the excessive noise. If the complainant chooses to not identify themselves or does not allow officers onto their property, Tokajer said officers can still do the noise meter readings but they have to be done without officers trespassing on private property. That means potentially less accurate meter readings and that some readings can only be done from the street or an adjoining property. Tokajer said officers typically do four noise meter readings at different points on the property in question.

Regardless of whether or not the noise officers observe is found by the meter readings to be in violation of the noise ordinance, he said officers approach the residence in question and ask the occupants to keep the noise down. Noise complaints also are followed up on by officers the following day to see if there are any recurring issues, he added.

For noise to be in violation of the noise ordinance, Tokajer said the responding officers must observe the noise and it must be sustained noise. One scream from a pool area might not earn the occupants a citation but consistent screams over a period of time would. Tokajer said the noise meter picks up “peaks and valleys” in sound.

Though the city’s noise ordinance does allow for enforcement not through the noise meter readings but through seven observational criteria, Tokajer said officers only use the seven criteria to describe the incident when filling out a report instead of an enforcement tool because, if a citation is challenged, the meter reading has a better chance of holding up in court.

Related coverage

Mayor calls out residents for noise complaints

City looks for new ways to fight noise

Commissioners to revisit noise ordinance

Holmes Beach golf cart low speed vehicle map

Holmes Beach considers golf cart regulations

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – If you drive a golf cart in Holmes Beach, new regulations may be on the way that affect where you can go.

During the Oct. 23 work session, commissioners considered a draft ordinance brought forth by Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer concerning the use of golf carts and low-speed vehicles in the city. Tokajer said that Holmes Beach is the only one of the three Island cities currently allowing golf carts that are not street legal to be driven on all city streets by a licensed driver. With the new ordinance, he hopes to make the city’s streets safer for golf cart users and motorists by taking the slowest of the vehicles off main thoroughfares.

Tokajer suggested either requiring golf carts to be retrofitted to be street legal and registered with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles or confining their use to Key Royale where a golf course is located. He estimates it would cost $1,300-2,000 to make a standard golf cart street legal with the biggest costs being the registration and installation of a windshield.

Commissioners recognized the need for increased safety on golf carts operated within the city but balked at the idea of restricting their use to the Key Royale neighborhood.

Commissioner Judy Titsworth said she agrees that seeing golf carts carrying children with no safety belts scares her, but she doesn’t want to take rights away from responsible residents who depend on their golf carts for local transportation and might not have funds to make an investment in making the golf carts street legal.

Commissioner Carol Soutek, a golf cart owner, said she also was concerned with the idea of taking away a mode of transportation that many Holmes Beach seniors depend on.

“The residents are pretty responsible with their golf carts because they appreciate having it,” she said. “I would like to leave the residents’ golf carts alone.”

In lieu of banning golf carts all together, Tokajer suggested commissioners consider requiring them to be retrofitted with seat belts, and any children of an appropriate age or size are required to ride in a car seat, just as they would be in a vehicle. He also presented a color-coded map with a suggested golf cart route through town focusing on back streets rather than main thoroughfares where traffic is more intense. He suggested disallowing low-speed vehicles and golf carts on city streets with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour.

Commissioners agreed to consider the implementation of seat belts and restricting the use of the vehicles in higher speed limit areas. They asked Tokajer to come back with ideas for a city golf cart registration program.

Benjamin Conlon

Former restaurant manager charged with fraud

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars.

Hurricane Hank’s owner Brian Mathae had a rude awakening in June when he checked the payroll records and now his former manager, Benjamin Conlon, faces a fraud charge.

Mathae said it began when he checked the manager’s computer for earnings and allegedly found duplicate paychecks to Conlon.

He called the police and Holmes Beach Detective Sgt. Brian Hall started an investigation. He found Conlon had allegedly taken $13,680 more than was allowed. Mathae found out Conlon was the only person to have access to the payroll.

Hall sent a report to the state attorney’s office, and Conlon was arrested. He was bailed out and faces an arraignment on Nov. 9.

Mathae said he was disappointed, and his priority is to get back the money that was lost.

“The profit margin is tight in the restaurant business,” he said. “This happened while tourism took a hit because of red tide.”

Trial date set in alleged burglary, assault

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

BRADENTON – The trial of a Holmes Beach man accused of burglarizing a Holmes Beach house and beating the female owner has been set for April 15, 2019, in circuit court.

Mark L. Snyder, 56, faces charges of burglary, assault or battery, aggravated battery (with great bodily harm – victim 65 years of age or older) and second-degree grand theft in the June 28 crime.

Mark Snyder trial
A trial date has been set for Mark Snyder, accused of attacking a Holmes beach woman and burglarizing her home. – File Photo | Sun

Snyder was arrested July 3 after a neighbor tipped police that he appeared to match a surveillance video’s description of the suspect, and he drove a vehicle that also matched the suspect’s vehicle.

According to the Holmes Beach Police report, the victim returned home to find a man in her bedroom in the process of stealing her property. She told police she screamed, and he hit her a number of times, causing her to fall and bleed. He then fled the residence carrying bags of stolen jewelry.

The victim, who does not want to be identified, was taken to Blake Hospital with a broken bone in her face and lacerations to her head.

Snyder is still incarcerated after his bail was revoked.

Related Coverage

Suspect arrested again, charged with second burglary

Burglary in Holmes Beach

Family fun at city field with National Night Out

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

The third annual National Night Out is coming to Holmes Beach City Field from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, bringing lots of family fun to the community gathering.

Features for this year’s event include food, baked goods, games for children, bounce houses, a big slide and a dunk booth where attendees can try their luck at dunking Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer. Community organizations also will be sponsoring informational booths with some giveaways. Some children will go home with new bicycles, sponsored by local businesses, or backpacks full of school supplies, sponsored by The Sun.

The event is free and is sponsored by the HBPD and the city of Holmes Beach. Code Enforcement Officer James Thomas will provide music and entertainment throughout the afternoon.

To make this year’s event an even bigger success than previous years, the HBPD is seeking community sponsors for attractions, donations and giveaways.

Donations sought include beverages, bicycles and funds to cover items that aren’t donated for the event. Sponsors also are sought to provide food, snacks, beverages, bounce houses, slides and other games suitable for children. To donate funds by check, please make them payable to The Police Special Projects Fund.

To donate, volunteer or for more information, contact Sgt. Vern McGowan or Officer Josh Fleischer at 941-778-2677 or watch@holmesbeach.org.

Holmes Beach noise

Commissioners to revisit noise ordinance

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners aren’t sure how they’re going to amend the city’s noise ordinance to help residents with ongoing issues, but they all agree that something needs to be done.

After a lengthy discussion with legal counsel and suggestions offered by residents, Commissioner Judy Titsworth said she’d place discussion for amending the noise ordinance and public nuisance ordinance on an upcoming work session agenda.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer agreed with commissioners. While he said officers are seeing some progress in reduction of noise complaints, none of the department’s efforts are working as well as he’d like.

Some of the HBPD’s efforts to quiet residential noise, particularly at vacation rental homes, including speaking with tenants and rental agents, handing out pamphlets on city regulations and placing window clings noticing renters of the city’s noise ordinance on doors leading out to pool areas.

A new program where Tokajer said the most positive impact is being had is where code enforcement officers greet renters when they arrive at one of seven identified problem houses. The officers welcome the renters, advise them of the city’s noise ordinance and remind them to be respectful of their residential neighbors while visiting. Tokajer said the program is working and has reduced calls at those houses to minimal levels.

When a noise complaint is called in, HBPD officers or code enforcement officers respond immediately. Upon arrival, an officer takes a reading using a noise meter from multiple areas on the property. If the noise rises above 65 decibels during the day or 50 decibels at night, it’s an automatic violation. Officers also can use seven standards defined in the noise ordinance to determine if the noise is too loud above the usual noise for the neighborhood and issue a warning or a citation.

“Noise is a very difficult thing to regulate,” Attorney Jim Dye said. He said he stands behind the city’s current noise ordinance, which has been found to be legally defensible if challenged in court.

One of the ongoing issues residents are having is with loud noise during daytime hours from children in pools at vacation rental properties.

“Kids in pools is a tough argument to make,” Dye said, adding it would be easier if the issue occurred in a 55 and older restricted community. “Kids in the pool may be part of the package with the caveat of if they’re louder than the surrounding noise.”

Tokajer said one of the issues facing officers responding to complaints is that the noise from the pools isn’t registering over the 65-decibel limit on the noise meter. He said while some loud noises, such as screams, last for only a few seconds unless the screaming is continuous, the ambient sounds in the neighborhood often register louder than the sounds of children playing. He said his officers do go to the home and ask the occupants to be mindful of the residential neighborhood and keep the noise down.

Some ideas commissioners are considering include lowering the decibel limits and altering nighttime and daytime hours. In a group statement, residents of Holmes Boulevard suggested decreasing daytime hours to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Currently, the city’s daytime hours are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. which Dye said is in line with most other communities. In Manatee County daytime hours are observed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 7 a.m. to midnight on weekends.

Another suggestion is to amend the city’s public nuisance ordinance to allow for enforcement at repeat problem vacation rentals even if the occupants change weekly.

A third suggestion is to raise the fines given for noise violations. Several people spoke in favor of raising fine amounts, something commissioners were open to considering. Commissioner Jim Kihm thanked everyone who spoke and for providing commissioners not only with complaints but with possible solutions to the problems facing residents.

“We want to be a welcoming city,” he said, adding that he also hopes visitors will be respectful of their temporary neighbors in residential areas.

Commissioner Rick Hurst said he feels more education is necessary to make visitors aware of the city’s regulations.

“Ninety-five percent of people are good, they just don’t know,” he said.

assault jessies store Holmes Beach

Suspect arrested in Island assault case

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Officers have a suspect in custody for the March 22 assault of a clerk at Jessie’s Island Store.

Holmes Beach police officers arrested 44-year-old Jason Rawlings Bounds April 17 after the clerk positively identified him as her attacker. The clerk was identified in a police report as April Gonzalez. The incident was captured on the store’s surveillance system. 

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Bounds is facing one count of battery as a second or subsequent offense, a third-degree felony, and one count of resisting a merchant, a first-degree misdemeanor. A third-degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine if convicted. A first-degree misdemeanor carries a possible sentence of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. The arrest warrant says Bounds is being held at the Port Manatee Jail.

assault arrest bounds mug shot 0425
The suspect arrested in the March assault of a store clerk at Jessie’s Island Store has been identified as Jason Rawlings Bounds. – Submitted | HBPD

A report attached to the arrest warrant, completed by Holmes Beach Police Department Det. Sgt. Brian Hall, states the incident occurred at the Island store when Gonzalez confronted Bounds for concealing beer, milk, and beef and cheese sticks in his jacket. Bounds returned the items to the clerk when approached but punched her in the side of the head and abdomen when she threatened to call the police if he didn’t immediately leave the premises. The punch left Gonzalez with minor injuries to the side of her face and earlobe. After the attack, the clerk and two customers attempted to restrain Bounds but he escaped on foot. Gonzalez was able to positively identify Bounds as her attacker from a photo lineup. He was later located and arrested by law enforcement officers.

This is not Bounds’ first tangle with the law. Hall’s report says Bounds was previously convicted several times for battery and battery-related crimes including one as late as Dec. 7, 2017, in Putnam County, West Virginia. His history of battery-related offenses dates back as far as January 1993.