FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY REPORT July 13 – 19, 2012

FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

WEEKLY REPORT

July 13 – 19, 2012        

 

This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however,

it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.

 

NORTHWEST REGION

 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

 

FWC officers from Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin Counties worked together to provide proactive high visibility patrols targeting unsafe and unlawful behavior on the waterways during the annual Pensacola Blue Angels Air Show. The officers worked in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard-Station Pensacola and the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Offices to ensure a safe event. As a result of increased law enforcement presence, there were no reported boating accidents with injuries or death. FWC officers issued several boating citations, warnings, and made three arrests for boating under the influence (BUI). The Special Operations Group (SOG) team assigned to patrol the Little Sabine sandbar area stopped several fights among intoxicated attendees and responded to four medical emergencies.

 

Also, during the Blue Angels Air Show, SOG team members located a backpack containing two IDs and several other items, including a bag of cannabis and rolling papers. Later that evening, Lt. Dan Hahr contacted the owner of the bag and arranged to meet with him. When they met, the owner was quite happy to get his bag back until Lieutenant Hahr identified himself and asked about the cannabis. The man admitted to smoking cannabis earlier and then losing the backpack. The man was issued a notice to appear for possession of not more than 20 grams of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

 

FWC officers assigned to Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in conjunction with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search and rescue operation on the upper Blackwater River downstream from Bryant Bridge. The officers received information through Dispatch that a 16‑year‑old male disappeared while swimming in the river. The officers conducted a search of the area utilizing two patrol vessels to search the river and three patrol vehicles to search by land. Approximately two hours into the search, two kayakers located the juvenile halfway between Bryant Bridge and the Blackwater State Park. The officers picked up the juvenile and returned him to his parents, who were very grateful for our efforts in locating their son.

 

LIBERTY COUNTY

Officer Ben Johnson cited two men for transporting wild hogs alive from an area. This occurred in the Blue Creek area.

 

BAY COUNTY

 

Officer Don Walker received a complaint regarding subjects on the Dan Russell Pier selling fish on the pier without a license. Officer Walker worked the pier two mornings. The results of his efforts were six misdemeanor cases made:  one for selling saltwater products without a license, four for over the bag limit, and one for failure to land in whole condition. He also issued two written warnings and numerous verbal warnings.

 

GULF COUNTY

 

While on water patrol in St. Joe Bay, Officer Hal Webb conducted a resource inspection on a vessel returning to the ramp. During the inspection, Officer Webb noticed several buckets of scallops in the vessel with only two passengers onboard. After further checking, he determined the vessel limit of scallops was exceeded by three gallons. A citation was issued for the violation.

 

On the last day of red snapper season, Officers Hal and Matt Webb conducted a resource inspection on a vessel returning to Mexico Beach. The operator stated he was in a hurry to pick up another charter. The operator then said he was on a recreational trip. After the inspection was completed, the vessel was found to be over the limit of red snapper. License checks revealed several passengers had no recreational fishing licenses. Citations were issued for the violations.

 

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