From FWC
This report represents some events the FWC handled Aug. 30-Sept. 5 in the Northwest Region. (There were no cases reported in Wakulla County.)
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- Officer Hahr and Lt. Corbin checked a vessel that had been bow fishing. A large spotted seatrout lay on the deck of the boat with an obvious hole through it. The charter captain admitted to allowing his out-of-state customers to shoot the fish. He was charged with taking spotted seatrout by a prohibited method.
- Officer Waters and Officer Lugg were on patrol during Labor Day weekend and located two different vessels possessing out-of-season red snapper. One of the vessels was a charter dive boat. All subjects were cited accordingly.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
- Officer L. Glover and Major R. Creech were conducting boating safety inspections on the Wacissa River. During a vessel inspection, Officer Glover recognized a subject on the vessel that had posted on social media a harvested alligator with no CITES tag. A short interview was conducted and the subject admitted to killing an approximate eight-foot alligator with a rifle. Officer Glover did a follow up interview with a second subject. One rifle and one alligator head were seized. Charges will be direct filed.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
- Officers Oliver and Phillips were on patrol when they responded to a report of a boating accident involving a rented personal watercraft that struck a swimmer who was snorkeling. The officers identified the PWC operator and the injured victim. The victim was transported to the hospital. The officers conducted a boating accident investigation, revealing the operator of the PWC was operating in a reckless manner, which resulted in injuries to the snorkeler. The operator stated he did see a dive flag present on the vessel as he passed but did not see one in the water by the swimmer. The operator stated he saw the snorkeler at the last second and attempted to turn but was too late. While speaking with witnesses, they stated the PWC was operating at a high rate of speed. The operator was charged with reckless operation of a vessel and cited for not slowing to a speed no faster than what is required to maintain steerage and headway while within 300 feet from a diver down flag.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
- Over Labor Day weekend, security cameras at the Blackwater Heritage State Trail caught a subject in the park after hours tampering with the park building and its utilities. After the subject realized he was being recorded he posed with three guns and a pipe in his mouth in front of the cameras. Officers Mullins and Roberson identified the subject from the footage. A thorough search was conducted and the subject was located along the trail later in the day. A search revealed he did not have any weapons, drugs, or paraphernalia in his possession at that time. The subject stated the guns he was posing with were cap guns. Officers explained the law and how multiple agencies are addressing illegal activity in and around the park. The subject was cited for park violations and trespassed from the area.
SEARCH AND RESCUE:
BAY COUNTY
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks and Lt. Wicker stopped a vessel in the pass at night with no navigation lights. The owner had a laceration to his foot and his friend was trying to drive the boat back in. The boat was overloaded and challenging to navigate. Lieutenant Wicker boarded the boat to drive it back while Officer Alsobrooks called for EMS to meet them at the St. Andrews State Park boat ramp. EMS arrived and provided aid to the injured party, who later went to the hospital.
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks and Lt. Wicker were on patrol when they were notified of a person in the water with a lifejacket on and his personal watercraft sinking in the North Bay. They arrived a few minutes later to find the individual hanging onto a pontoon boat. They tied the PWC to their vessel and towed it to a nearby ramp. The individual was taken to the same ramp by good Samaritans that were on scene. The individual did not sustain any injuries.
