FWC Law Enforcement Report
From FWCThis report represents some events the FWC handled June 9-15 in the Northwest region. (There were no cases reported for Wakulla County.)
BAY COUNTY
• Officer M. Gore responded to a complaint of someone shooting a swallow-tailed kite. Neighbors told the officer they heard a gunshot and saw the swallow-tailed kite fall out of the sky. Officer Gore went next door and interviewed the subject who stated he shot the Kite with a .410 shotgun because it was flying over his chickens. While investigating the kite shooting incident, Officer Gore observed a raccoon in plain view at the residence. The suspect did not have a Class III wildlife permit or a trapping license and the caging did not meet FWC regulations. The raccoon was released from the cage. The suspect was issued notice to appear citations for taking the swallow-tailed kite and no trapping license for the raccoon.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
• Officers Oliver and Senst were on patrol when they observed a pontoon vessel violating an idle speed/no wake zone. Officers Oliver and Senst conducted a vessel stop to address the violation and a boating safety inspection was conducted. The subject operating the vessel showed signs of impairment throughout the inspection. The operator admitted to drinking and Officer Oliver noticed slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. The operator agreed to conduct standard field sobriety tasks and performed poorly. The operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and later refused to provide a breath sample. The operator was charged with operating a vessel with normal faculties impaired. The subject was also cited for the refusal to provide a sample and violation of the idle speed/no wake zone..
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
• Officers Bower and Long were on patrol and observed a vessel without proper navigation lights displayed. A vessel stop was conducted to address the violation and a resource inspection was performed. It was determined that Officer Bower stopped the same operator the week prior for the same violation. The operator did not have a valid Florida fishing license and was found to be in possession of an undersized seatrout. The subject was issued a notice to appear citation for harvesting an undersized spotted seatrout.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
• Officer T. Basford attended the Salvation Army Saltwater Slam Tournament in St. Marks. Over 80 people fished in the tournament. Prizes were awarded for the largest spotted seatrout, redfish, and flounder. Officer Basford educated the public about saltwater fishing regulations at the event.