Ban on the ‘Can’

The party is officially over as Longboat Key Police officers take patrols of Beer Can Island, a.k.a. Greer Island, to the next level, as they arrest subjects breaking the posted ban on alcohol and dogs. Officers have been patiently working the beach for the past weeks to build up a presence on the island.

The following incidents took place Aug. 21:

Arrest for alcohol infraction
1:16 p.m. – Officer Martin – Greer Island – While on duty working Greer Island, I observed a man consuming a bud light beer (12-ounce can) while standing on the beach. The beach is posted with signs indicating that no alcoholic beverages are allowed on the beach. The subject was arrested, given a Notice to Appear and was released at the scene.

Warning issued
1:21 p.m. – Officer Bourque – Greer Island – I was working a detail at Greer Island. I saw three subjects with beer on the beach. I gave all three warnings.

Arrest for alcohol infraction
1:51 p.m. – Officer Martin – Greer Island – I was on patrol on Greer Island when I observed a man with an alcoholic beverage on the beach. It had been concealed in a koozie, but I could see enough of the can to tell that it was beer. The subject had been previously warned about having alcoholic beverages on the beach in the prior weekends that we have been on patrol on the beach.

Initially when the subject saw me, he immediately ran over to the boat and put the beer back on top of the gunnel. I detained him and advised him of the violation. He knew he was not allowed to be on the beach with beer and acknowledged that. He stated he had a lapse of thought when his sister called him over where she had been sitting. The beer appeared to be a Pabst Blue Ribbon, and the subject disputed that and said it was a Bud Light beer. The subject knew he had made a mistake and was very apologetic for the infraction. I issued the subject a Notice to Appear, and he was released at the scene.

Warning issued
1:57 p.m. – Officer Quarmby – Greer Island – Officers were conducting added patrol of Greer Island due to increased town code violations of alcohol and dogs on the beach. Subject was consuming alcohol on the beach and was issued a written warning.

Warning issued
1:59 p.m. – Officer Silverio – Greer Island – While on water patrol of Longboat Pass, I beached my patrol vessel on Greer Island. I saw the subject consuming an alcoholic beverage on the beach. I advised the male subject of the town ordinance and posted signs on the island. I issued him a written warning for the violation. A computer check of the subject showed no prior violations or warrants.

Warning issued
2:03 p.m. – Officer Silverio – Greer Island – While on water patrol of Longboat Pass, I beached my patrol vessel on Greer Island. I saw the subject consuming an alcoholic beverage on the beach. I advised this subject about the town ordinances and the posted signs. I issued a written warning to this subject. A computer check revealed no prior violations or warrants.

Unleashed dog garners arrest
3:26 p.m. – Officer Martin – Greer Island – While on patrol on Greer Island, I observed a subject pull up onto the beach in a boat with his friends. The subject’s dog jumped out of the boat and began running about the beach before one of the occupants grabbed it. The dog was a black Labrador. I stopped the subject and advised him of the violation about no pets on the beach. He previously had been given a verbal warning by Officer Silverio about the dog.

I had the subject accompany me back to our skiff to issue a Notice to Appear for the violation. The subject had no identification on him. I attempted several methods of confirming his identity, and nothing came back with the information he provided. I even asked him if he had a license; he said he did and that it was in his vehicle across the bay.

I suggested that he ask his friends go get it, and he stated no and that I do what needed to be done. The subject was not really concerned about being taken into custody. I explained several times that if I could verify who he was, I could release him on a Notice to Appear like the others given out today. Again, the subject was not worried about getting me his ID card.

I took the subject into custody and he was transported to the mainland near the bridge where I met up with Officer Thompson. Officer Thompson was able to find his Driver’s License information and confirm who he was. I also was able to call his mother and also verify who he was. He was taken back to Greer Island where he was issued a Notice to Appear for the violation. I advised him in the future not to bring the dog to the beach and to carry some type of photo ID on him in case there was an issue verifying his identity.