FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report June 17 through June 23, 2016

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

Weekly Report

June 17 through June 23, 2016

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.

Patrol, Protect, Preserve

NORTHWEST REGION

CASES

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Cushing conducted fisheries inspections near the Pensacola Pass. During one inspection, the occupants on board claimed to have only king mackerel and mingo snapper. While on board, Officer Cushing discovered an undersized gray triggerfish. The season for gray triggerfish is closed. A citation was issued to the individual who caught the fish.

Officer Cushing received a phone call from a concerned citizen who had observed an individual on the beach at Ft. Pickens carrying an oversized redfish from the beach toward the parking lot. After beaching his vessel on the bayside, he proceeded to the parking lot and observed one of the individuals described to him by the complainant. Upon initial contact, the individual slumped his head and confessed that he had the oversized redfish in his truck. Upon further inspection, the individual had a total of three oversized redfish in a cooler in his truck. Citations were issued for oversized and over‑the‑bag limit of redfish.

On board the FinCat, officers patrolled in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. They approached a vessel that was fishing and asked the captain if they had any fish on board. The captain stated that they only had white snapper on board. After boarding the vessel, the officers discovered a large triggerfish. The crew claimed they forgot putting the fish on the vessel. The captain of the vessel was issued a federal citation for the violation.

Officer Land conducted a derelict vessel investigation on a sailboat that had been left in a wrecked condition at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze. The vessel had become grounded and the interior had filled with water. The registered owners of the vessel were notified and given a deadline to remove the vessel or restore it to working order. The vessel remained untouched by the owners and continued to deteriorate. Officer Land issued a notice to appear to each of the registered owners for abandoning a derelict vessel on the waters of the state.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

Officer Molnar conducted a vessel stop at Crab Island for not displaying registration numbers and an infant not wearing a life jacket (PFD) on a vessel less than 26 feet. When Officer Molnar made contact, the operator showed multiple signs of impairment. After field sobriety tasks were conducted, the operator was arrested for Boating under the Influence (BUI). It was determined the operator had three previous Driving under the Influence (DUI) arrests but only one conviction. Since DUI convictions count toward BUI arrests for enhanced penalties, the operator was booked into Okaloosa County Jail on BUI, second offense. He was also issued a citation for BUI refusal to submit, first offense, and for a child under six not wearing a PFD.

Officer Pifer was dispatched to a complaint of an injured crane at the Cinco Bayou Bridge. He was having difficulty locating the crane and saw two individuals at the shoreline of the bridge. He made contact with the male individual concerning the whereabouts of the injured bird. Officer Pifer observed the female individual who appeared to be asleep. In his observation and interaction with both individuals, he felt they were both under the influence of drugs. For public safety, Officer Pifer obtained consent to inspect their personal bags. The inspection revealed the female was in possession of methamphetamine and oxycodone. He also located syringes containing methamphetamine (two felonies/one misdemeanor). The male individual was in possession of paraphernalia. The female was arrested and transported to the Okaloosa County Jail where Officer Pifer completed the intake process. The male individual was issued a notice to appear citation. Officer Pifer was unable to locate the reported injured crane.

Officer Corbin was on vessel patrol conducting state fisheries inspection in the East Pass. He observed an individual spearfishing at the east jetty. Spearfishing is prohibited along the portion of the east/west jetties. Officer Corbin issued the individual a notice to appear citation.

Officer P. Rockwell was on land patrol conducting state fisheries inspections in the Niceville area. He observed an individual fishing at the Florida Park and a fisheries inspection revealed the individual had harvested a grossly undersized spotted seatrout, which was on the fisherman’s stringer. Officer Rockwell issued the individual a notice to appear citation.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Lieutenant Hahr and Officers Hutchinson and Clark were on foot patrol at the steel bridge on Coldwater Creek. They observed a group of individuals on a sandbar smoking cannabis. The officers made contact and interviewed the subjects. Upon conclusion of the interviews, three of the subjects surrendered baggies of cannabis and one cannabis cigarette. A total of four citations were issued for possession of cannabis under 20 grams and one citation was issued for possession of paraphernalia.

Officers Hutchinson and Clark were on foot patrol on Coldwater Creek and observed a group of males and females on the sandbar drinking alcohol. They made contact and asked if everyone was 21 or older. Four of the females stated they were not. One of the males who was 21 years old was observed sharing an alcoholic beverage with one of the underage females. Four citations were issued for possession of alcohol by persons under 21 and one citation was issued for contributing to the delinquency of a minor: giving alcohol to a person under 21.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

WALTON COUNTY

Officers Brooks and J. Rockwell attended a youth camp and spoke to children about boating safety and the duties of a Fish and Wildlife Officer. A patrol vehicle and vessel were displayed and the officers provided boating safety and wildlife literature to approximately 50 children who were in attendance.

Officer White spoke to a Bay County bass fishing club during a fishing tournament on the Choctawhatchee River. Officer White discussed with the club members the new bass rule, effectiveJuly 1, 2016.

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