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
BAY COUNTY
Officer Gore was conducting resource and boating safety checks at the West Bay Ramp when he observed a commercial oyster boat coming to the ramp with a large pile of uncurled oysters on its cull board. A check of the two harvesters found only one had a current saltwater products license. Also noted was the oysters that were bagged weren’t properly tagged with harvester tags. A safety inspection of the vessel found no fire extinguisher, no throwable device and no commercial grade life jackets. The vessel also had no marine sanitation device onboard. Citations and written warnings were issued. Later in the week, Officer Wicker encounter the same two oystermen again and found the one oystermen still didn’t have a saltwater products license. A citation was issued.
Officer Wicker responded to a call of a swamped vessel off Panama City Beach. Upon arrival, he found a 14-foot Bayliner submerged in the surf and the two occupants onshore. The operator said they were looking for a place to fish when waves overtook the vessel’s bow. A boating accident self-report form was given and the owner/operator said the vessel would be removed from the surf within 24 hours.
CALHOUN COUNTY
Officer Baber responded to a complaint in which a homeowner’s dogs drug up the remains of a deer carcass that had been shot with a gun. Officer Baber canvassed nearby residences and developed a suspect. During an interview, the suspect admitted to shooting the deer that morning with a shotgun. The suspect was charged with taking deer during the closed season.
GADSDEN COUNTY
While on patrol, Officer Jones observed a silver vehicle pulled off the road near a creek. As Officer Jones passed the vehicle, he observed two subjects near the car and what appeared to be a live trap. He turned around and pulled up to the car. Officer Jones observed one subject carrying the live trap and the other subject was carrying a single-shot .22 rifle. The subjects advised that they were looking for a place to set out the live trap. After securing the rifle, Officer Jones asked for a hunting license or trapping license. The subjects had no identification nor did they have any hunting or trapping license. Officer Jones observed the car tag was expired and it did not belong to a vehicle. A driver license and warrant check and check for convicted felon through Dispatch revealed one of the subjects was a convicted felon, who had just been released from prison earlier in the year. Officer Jones advised the subject that he could not possess a firearm. When Officer Jones attempted to arrest the subject, the subject pulled away and fled into the wood. Units from the Academy, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, and Lieutenant Colonel Warren responded to the area to assist. The subject turned himself in near his residence without incidence. He was booked in Gadsden County Jail for convicted felon in possession of a firearm and resisting arrest without violence.
JACKSON COUNTY
On the opening weekend of archery season, Officer Forehand was checking hunters in Apalachee Wildlife Management Area hunting along the Chattahoochee River. He observed a vessel pulled on shore in the management area. After the vessel left the area, Officer Forehand walked into the area and located a tree stand baited with corn. That evening, Officer Forehand returned and found the same vessel pulled on shore. He walked to the baited stand where he found a hunter hunting over the baited area. The hunter was cited for placing bait in a wildlife management area.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer J. Rockwell located several baited areas on Blackwater and Eglin Wildlife Management Areas prior to opening day of archery season. Lieutenant Hollinhead, Officers Arnette and Land assisted Officer J. Rockwell with working the baited areas. Lieutenant Hollinhead and Officer Arnette observed a subject hunting in a ladder stand on one of the baited areas on Eglin. They later determined the subject was hunting in a group. Their vehicles were located and three subjects were tracked to different hunting locations which revealed they were hunting over bait as well. Two of the subjects were discovered hunting in a closed area and one of them fled the area when he learned the officers were looking for him. Blood and drag sign in the closed area where he had been hunting led to a dead deer and crossbow the subject concealed behind a berm. The subject later called from his residence and admitted to his actions. All four subjects were cited for hunting over bait (corn) and two received additional charges for hunting in a closed area. Three of the subjects were issued a notice of suspension for one year by Eglin Security Forces. Officers J. Rockwell located a baited area on Blackwater Wildlife Management Area after he observed a suspicious vehicle exiting a wooded area prior to archery season. Officers J. Rockwell and Land checked the baited area on opening morning of archery season and observed a subject hunting from a tree stand at the baited area. The subject was cited for hunting over bait (corn).
Lieutenant Hollinhead and Officer Corbin located a subject hunting over bait after receiving a complaint from a hunter that had discovered the bait while scouting. The subject was cited for hunting over bait (corn).
Officer J. Rockwell checked a hunter in a ladder stand on Eglin Wildlife Management Area after earlier in the week observing corn around the stand. The subject admitted to placing the bait out and was cited for hunting over bait on a management area. Eglin Security Force personnel responded to the area and issued a notice of suspension for a period of one year.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis was on forest patrol in Blackwater River State Forest in a primitive campsite when he observed a group in possession of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in this area. A computer check on one of the subjects came back with a warrant out of Okaloosa County for larceny and criminal mischief. The subject was arrested and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail and issued a warning for the alcohol violation.
Officer Ramos was patrolling Blackwater River State Forest and encountered a vehicle whose operator had been firing multiple rifle rounds. During a conversation with the operator, Officer Ramos discovered an empty bag of corn in the vehicle. A short while later, he found an area at the end of the road where fresh corn had been placed on the ground in the management area. Officers Ramos and Hutchinson visited the operator of the vehicle from earlier and the man admitted to placing bait in the management area. He was issued a citation.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officers J. Rockwell and Brooks spoke to approximately 30 students at Crestview High School about the requirements of becoming an FWC officer and the various equipment used to accomplish the FWC mission. They were also available to answer other questions.
NORTHEAST REGION
ST JOHNS COUNTY
Approximately two miles off the Crescent Beach area of southern St. Johns County, Officers Hickman, Miller, and Lawrence observed a local commercial shrimping vessel trawling for shrimp about 1.7 miles off the beach. The officers had been patrolling off the coast during the hours of darkness based on recent intelligence gathered indicating that commercial shrimpers had been violating the state rule, which prohibits trawling inside of state waters in northeast Florida during the hours of darkness outside of the months of June, July and August. Officers Hickman and Lawrence boarded the shrimper and conducted an inspection, during which time they found the vessel to be dragging five nets. The vessel operator was a local shrimper and repeat violator and made admissions to the officers that he knew he was inside three nautical miles while trawling. The officers cited the operator for violation of the state rule and will meet with the local assistant state attorney regarding enhanced penalties for the violation based on the shrimper’s criminal history.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Officers Meurlot and West continue to work the red drum (redfish) run in the NewSmyrnaBeach area. On three separate occasions this week, four adult males were issued criminal notice to appear citations for possession of over the daily bag limit of red drum and possession of red drum in excess of the slot size limit.
Officer West observed an adult male operating his vehicle carelessly and unable to stay within his travel lane in the Port Orange area of US 1. After stopping the vehicle, the driver was subsequently arrested for DUI and booked into the Volusia County Jail.
OPV SEAHAWK
FWC offshore patrol vessel Sea Hawk conducted a boarding approximately 15 miles east of Malabar. The boarding team (Officers Luce and Bohne) located a red snapper in the vessel’s fish box. The fisherman claimed the red snapper was caught in state waters. However, since the vessel was actively engaged in fishing in federal waters, the fish was illegal to possess. The fisherman claimed that was the only red snapper in his possession. A subsequent search by the boarding team uncovered a 13" red snapper hidden in a small cooler. The boarding team also noted the fisherman was not using circle hooks as mandated by federal law north of 28 degrees.
Later that same day in the Oculina Bank Experimental Closed Area, Officers Luce and Bohne discovered a sailfish that had not been maintained in whole condition. When the boarding first began, the captain told the officers he did not have any fish on the boat. The officers then located the sailfish, whose tail had been cut off and discarded making an official measurement impossible. The sailfish measured 55" from the lower jaw to where the tail was cut off. Minimum legal size for possession is 63". Summary settlements have been issued to both vessels by National Marine Fisheries Service.
SUMTER COUNTY
Officers Shaw and Weis received information of subjects hunting in a local Sumter County Wildlife Management Area with shotguns during the archery hunt. Subjects were observed by the officers and admitted to hunting in a closed area with shotguns during the archery only hunt. The appropriate citations were issued.
Officer Ian Sweet received information of a subject that harvested an illegal deer in a local Sumter County Wildlife Management Area. The subject was located and it was revealed that he harvested a small buck with 2" antlers. Subject was cited accordingly for harvesting an illegal deer.
Officer Sweet was patrolling a local Sumter County Wildlife Management Area at approximately 2100 hours. He observed a vehicle approaching his location. Officer Sweet observed there was a flashlight being shined from the vehicle in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of deer. Officer Sweet eventually made contact with the operator and occupants of the vehicle. It was soon revealed the subject was in possession of a .17 caliber rifle and a compound bow with arrows. Subject was cited accordingly for the violation.
LAKE COUNTY
Officer Weber received information that a subject killed an illegal deer in a local Lake County Wildlife Management Area. The subject was located and it was revealed that the buck was illegal. The subject was cited accordingly for harvesting an illegal deer. The deer was donated to a local charity.
Officer Weber received information of subjects’ alligator hunting on a small lake in LakeCounty. Officer Weber observed the subjects tending to and baiting alligators with unattended lines. Subjects attempted to harpoon an alligator with officer watching from a place of concealment. The subjects were stopped and admitted to the violations observed. The subjects were cited accordingly for attempting to take alligator by illegal methods.
Lieutenant Tye and Officer Douglas were patrolling Rock Springs Run WMA when they located a stand with bait spread out on the ground in front of it. Officer Douglas returned the next morning and when the hunter showed up, Officer Douglas issued him a citation for hunting over bait in the wildlife management area. It turned out to be the same subject that Officer Baine had cited the evening before for illegal entry into the WMA.
ORANGE COUNTY
Officer Tavano responded to a call at WekiwaSpringsState Park in reference to individuals swimming in a non-designated area and not obeying the directions given by the Park Rangers. When Officer Tavano arrived one of the subjects refused to comply with his lawful orders and resisted arrest. The other subject was in a canoe and refused to come to shore for a vessel safety inspections and instead just rowed away. After an initial confrontation, the first subject was placed under arrest for resisting without violence. The second subject eventually returned to Wekiwa Springs State Park and was arrested for failure to submit to a vessel safety inspection and resisting without violence.
MARION COUNTY
Officer Dias was on patrol in the Ocala WMA when he observed some distinct vehicle sign that was unusual. Upon further investigation he found drag signs which led to deer hair and a pool of blood further in the woods. He followed the vehicle sign for several miles which led to a neighborhood that borders the Ocala WMA. Officer Simpson and K9 Moose, with Officers Wear and Rice came to assist in the search for a suspect. After several hours of driving the dirt roads, looking at tire sign and hitting several dead ends, they located a truck that matched the tire sign that Officer Dias had found. The truck was owned by an individual that the officers had received information on for years, but had not been able to catch. As they knocked on the door, the suspect opened the door and was cooking freshly killed deer meat. Initially he said he had killed the deer on Lake George WMA and failed to check it in. During a post Miranda interview the suspect confessed to killing a nubbin buck on Ocala WMA. He took the officers out to the kill site where there was fresh blood as well as a broken arrow and fletching. A notice to appear was issued.
BREVARD COUNTY
Officer Lightsey participated in a Melbourne City-Wide Fall Festival. Over 5,000 people were in attendance and most of the crowd stopped by to see the live American Alligator the officer brought and to learn about living with Alligators in Florida.
While on patrol of Brevard County, Officer Kearney received a call from dispatch advising that a man had a baby alligator at his residence. The caller also advised that the alligator had bitten a man the previous day. Officers Kearney and Lightsey arrived at the residence and recovered one small alligator from the man’s back yard. The man admitted to feeding the baby alligator at a local lake then capturing and transporting it to his residence. While handling the alligator, the man’s roommate was bitten. The victim refused medical treatment, but was still advised of possible complications due to alligator bites. A criminal citation was issued for unlawful take of alligator. The alligator was released back to the wild.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Lieutenant Zamonis and Officers Maslo and Kearney attended the Bluewater Open Kids’ Fishing Day to assist inexperienced anglers and share insight about the sport. The event was sponsored by the Sebastian Exchange Club and offered approximately 45 children the opportunity to experience fishing, some for the very first time. Trophies were given out for biggest fish and most fish caught, each child was also given their own rod and reel.
OSCEOLA COUNTY
Officer Mendelson received information that a subject has been illegally entering Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area throughout the past years during quota permit hunts. After observing an individual hunting during an archery quota permit hunt, Officer Mendelson observed the individual jump a fence onto private property and not check in or check out of the check station. The individual was issued a citation for failure to check in at the check station.
Officer Arendas received information that there were baited jugs in the Lake Jackson canal near Lake Kissimmee. Officer Arendas responded to the location and found a man gator hunting. After checking his gator license, Officer Arendas discovered that he had 3 lines with bait that were not attached to hand-held restraining lines or to his vessel. Officer Arendas issued the man a citation for hunting with bait that was not attached to hand-held restraining lines or to his vessel.
Officer Arendas assisted Wounded Warrior Outdoors (WWO) organization with an alligator hunt in Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA., and on the Kempher’s Ranch. This is the third year that Officer Arendas has assisted WWO with the hunt. This year there were 6 wounded service men, all of which had been injured in Afghanistan. The hunt provides them an opportunity to relax and challenge themselves to go beyond what they thought possible, while in a trusting environment without being placed on display or exploited. Hoppy Kempher, owner of Osceola County Outfitters, donated hog hunts to the Warriors and gave them a place to stay at Osceola County Outfitters hunt camp. During the three day hunt, each Warrior got two hogs and one alligator. This year, Wounded Warrior Outdoors will host just over 100 wounded warriors on "Adventure Enabled" outdoor trips! This is done without paid staff on a volunteer only basis.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
CITRUS COUNTY
While on land patrol, FWC Citrus officer responded to a complaint in reference to a hawk being kept in a small cage in someone’s back yard. The officer arrived on the scene and found a Cooper’s hawk in a small cage with a dead decomposed duck. The property owner admitted to trapping the hawk and was cited for being in possession of the hawk and warned for numerous caging violations. The subject was issued a citation to pay a fine of $318.00 or to appear in the Citrus County Court.
FWC Fincat crew was on water patrol in the Citrus/Hernando Shrimp/Stone Crab Zones to check the zones for a compliance sweep. During the patrol, a line of stone crab traps were discovered in Zone 5, which is open for shrimp only. The unlawfully placed stone crab gear was photographed. The owner of the gear was contacted and ordered to remove the gear within 5 days. He was cited to pay a fine of $318.00 or to appear in the Citrus County Court.
NASSAU COUNTY
FWC Resource Protection Squad officers focused on flood tide conditions to work migratory bird hunters in the marshes off the Nassau River. Four hunters were issued misdemeanor citations for rallying marsh hens with a moving vessel and taking migratory birds from a vessel under mechanical propulsion.
SOUTHWEST REGION
LEE COUNTY
Officer McColgin and Lieutenant Ruggiero conducted a freshwater fisheries inspection on two men near a canal in Cape Coral. The men admitted to possessing two bass which they, "believed were 14 inches." An inspection of the fish revealed both the bass were undersize. Lieutenant Ruggiero recognized the men and had previously written both of them a warning for possessing undersized bass. A notice to appear was issued for the misdemeanor violation.
PASCO COUNTY
Officer Williams was on land patrol on Little Road in New Port Richey, when he observed three all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) enter a posted piece of property. In the past, FWC has assisted the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office with trespass issues on the property. Officer Williams conducted a stop of the ATV’s and determined no one had permission to access the property. Officer Williams issued citations for trespass to the ATV operators.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Officer Beckman was on land patrol at Honeymoon Island State Park when he observed a vehicle operating in an erratic manner. Officer Beckman stopped the vehicle and he suspected the operator was impaired. Officers Cason and Gaudion arrived to assist with the investigation. Field Sobriety Tasks were conducted and the operator was determined not to be under the influence. Officer Beckman issued the individual a citation for driving off the designated roadways in the park.
SOUTH REGION A
BROWARD COUNTY (Report for week 10/16- thru 10/22/2015
Officers Matthews and Vacin were on patrol in BrowardCounty when they observed a subject fishing from a bridge in the City of Fort Lauderdale. Upon conducting a marine fisheries inspection they observed that the subject had a cooler containing 13 mangrove snapper, the daily limit of mangrove snapper is 5 per harvester. Upon further inspection 9 of the 13 fish were under the legal size limit of 10 inches in total length. The subject was very upset and showing signs of aggression. Officer Mirabal responded to the scene to explain the violations in Spanish to the subject. The subject was issued two citations, one for the bag limit violation, and one for the size limit violation. Six of the fish were able to be released alive. The other 3 illegal fish were seized as evidence.
Lieutenant Laubenberger commanded the Broward Multi Agency Police Honor Guard at the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport. The Honor Guard formed a cordon for the Charter flight for Honor Flight. Eighty-seven WW II Veterans were returning from their all day tour of Washington, DC. The Honor Guard also escorted the Veterans down the gateway and thru the terminal that held approximately 800 people cheering the veterans on.
Officers Strader and Vacin were on patrol in John Lloyd State Park in Hollywood. They were conducting marine fisheries inspections on the jetty. One individual was found to be in possession of 2 undersized red grouper. Officer Strader issued the individual a criminal notice to appear and seized 2 dead red grouper’s as evidence.
Officer Brock was on patrol in the area of SW 10 St. and I-95 in Deerfield Beach. He observed a vehicle that had crashed into a guardrail. Three Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputies pulled up on scene at the same time. The Deputies worked the traffic crash and Officer Brock investigated the driving under the influence circumstance. Officer Brock arrested the driver for driving under the influence as well as resisting arrest with violence (pursuant to the driver fighting the Deputies on scene) and was delivered to the Broward County Breath Alcohol Testing Center.
Officers Delatorre, Vacin, Matthews, Coker, Nasworth and Lieutenant Laubenberger responded to the L-5 area in Holeyland Wildlife Management Area (WMA)in reference to a call from a driver stating he was in a truck that was about to roll over due to getting stuck in a precarious position on the edge of a canal embankment. All Officers arrived on scene and made sure the vehicle was secured. The driver was able to exit his car. A friend responded to the scene and successfully winched the large truck onto the road. No other action was required.
Officers Vacin and Matthews were on patrol in the vicinity of Cordova Avenue near the ICW in Ft Lauderdale. A marine resource inspection was conducted on an individual that was fishing in a side canal. The individual was issued citations for possession of over the bag limit of mangrove snapper, 6 undersized mangrove snapper were able to be released back to the water alive and 3 dead undersized mangrove snapper were seized as evidence.
Officer Delatorre responded to George English Park in Ft.Lauderdale at the request of FWC Biologists. The biologists were releasing a manatee that had been injured months earlier. The Miami Seaquarium was able to nurse the manatee back from its injuries. Officer Delatorre assisted the biologists in maintaining a safe perimeter for onlookers and media. The manatee was released successfully.
Officers Vacin and Coker were on patrol in the vicinity of the 17 St. Bridge in Ft.Lauderdale. They conducted a marine fisheries inspection on an individual that was fishing underneath the bridge. The individual was found to be in possession of an undersized snook. Officer Vacin issued the individual a citation for possession of undersized snook. The snook was able to be released back to the water alive.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Officer Nasworth observed a vehicle in front of him swerve between the lines and straddle the center dividing line on S.R. 80 in Belle Glade. Officer Nasworth activated his emergence lights and conducted a vehicle stop at which time he made contact with the driver and observed her eyes to be watery and blood shot. A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office D.U.I. Deputy arrived on scene and conducted Standard Field Sobriety Tasks, at which time he placed the driver under arrest for driving while impaired. The driver refused to provide the deputy with a breath sample.
Officer Guerin responded to a stranded whale call on Singer Island. When he arrived, he saw the whale along with 3 people trying to help it stay afloat approximately 5 yards off shore. FWC Biologist arrived and confirmed that it was a Mellonheaded Whale. Everyone on scene helped to care for the whale. It was placed in a carrying net and brought to the biologist vehicle for transport. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute conducted further evaluation at their facility in Ft. Pierce.
Officer Guerin and Wright responded to a call at the Palm Beach Inlet. They were told that a man had caught several undersized fish. They checked the fishermen in the area and came across a man that had two undersized black grouper and 1 undersized mutton snapper. The man was issued 3 citations for the violations.
Officer Guerin was working an extra duty detail at the Palm Beach International Raceway providing security for an organized mud bog event. He observed a truck that was competing in the race driving aggressive in the staging area. The driver failed to notice a racetrack employee. The driver struck the employee, causing the employee to fall to the ground. The employee was able to avoid being run over by the rear driver side tire by rolling out of the way. OfficerChurch quickly attended to the victim as the driver entered and sped off in the race. Investigator Turner was able to maintain visual contact with the truck. As the driver completed the race, Investigator Turner observed the truck being operated at an excessive rate of speed in the wrong direction through the area, nearly colliding with a parked vehicle. Officer Guerin initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the operator. A strong odor of alcohol was detected. After evaluation of the driver, he was arrested for driving under the influence and booked in the county jail.
Officer Guerin received a call about possible palmetto berry pickers in Corbett WMA. He responded to the area, but was unable to find anyone. He did notice that all the palmettos in the area already had the berries picked from them. He drove back to the entrance of the WMA to wait for any subjects to exit. While he was there, he saw a vehicle enter the area and it looked familiar to him. He recalled stopping the vehicle a week prior and issuing a warning for picking palmetto berries. A short time later eight men were seen loading several large bags filled with berries into the vehicle. They were stopped and given citations for taking palmetto berries off of the WMA.
Officers Gouveia and Stone worked muzzleloading season in Corbett WMA. They caught 4 different hunters using modern shotguns during the muzzleloader season. All hunters were issued citations for the violation.
While on patrol at the Lake Worth Pier, Officer Mann was performing fisheries inspections. During Officer Mann’s inspections, she found a man in possession of 5 undersized pompano. The man was cited accordingly.
GLADES COUNTY
Officers Harris, Barber, Greene, Alford and Davis responded to a search and rescue call on Fisheating Creek in Palmdale. A man and his two sons had launched a Jon boat and were camping along the creek for the weekend. The man’s wife was concerned about their welfare when they didn’t show up at the ramp so that she could pick up their dogs.
She was unable to contact him since his cell phone was dead. Officers Harris and Barber launched a vessel in the creek and headed downstream where the wife believed they had gone. It wasn’t long before the officers located the man and his sons at their campsite on the bank of the creek. All were fine and the man stated that he was having problems with the motor of his vessel. The man and his sons returned to the ramp in their vessel where the wife/mother was waiting.
MARTIN COUNTY
Officer Kirkland checked a hunter leaving Hungryland WMA. The hunter killed a deer, but it was not legal to take. The rules in the area state that the deer must have antlers at least 10 inches on one side or at least 3 points on one side. The deer that was killed only had 7 inch antlers. The hunter was given a citation for the offense.
Officer Doricchi responded to the Dupuis Wildlife and Environmental Area in MartinCounty and located a homemade feeder, setup to dispense corn in close proximity to a tree stand. Officer Doricchi documented the scene and returned to conduct surveillance of the area during the next quota hunt. After a couple days of watching the area, Officer Doricchi observed and made contact with a man hunting in that area. Through quality interview techniques, Officer Doricchi was able to obtain a full confession from the man with regard to placing the feeder and several piles of corn near his tree stand. The man was cited accordingly.
St. LUCIE COUNTY
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officer Shermetaro was invited to attend a Boy Scout troop meeting to make a presentation regarding living with Alligators in Florida. Approximately18 boys were in attendance along with some parents and adult leaders. Officer Shermetaro presented a brief history on alligators from the over harvesting years to present day conservation efforts, habitat and their biology.
Officer Davis, K-9 Officer Kirkland and Lieutenant Brown did a demonstration for all of the first grade classes at Moore Haven Elementary School. The first graders were studying how animals help humans and how humans help animals. K-9 Zeus was a big hit along with all the wildlife that was presented during the demonstration.
Officers from Martin and Palm Beach counties worked Fire Fest, a public outreach event at J.D.State Park in MartinCounty.
SOUTH REGION A
BROWARD COUNTY (Report for week of 10/23-10/29/2015)
Officer Vacin was on patrol in John Lloyd State Park. He conducted a marine fisheries inspection on an individual returning from fishing on the jetty. The individual was found to be in possession of twelve mutton snapper. The individual was charged with possession of over the bag limit of mutton snapper and possession of undersized mutton snapper. All twelve dead mutton snapper were undersized and seized as evidence.
Officer Vacin was on patrol on the Deerfield Beach Pier. He was conducting marine fisheries inspections on numerous individuals. One individual was charged with possession of undersized mutton snapper. Two mutton snapper were still alive and were able to be released back into the water.
Officers Vacin and Brock were on patrol checking fishermen on the Deerfield Pier. They observed a subject trying to leave the pier quickly with a bucket full of fish. A subsequent resource inspection on the subjects catch revealed that the bucket contained five undersized mutton snapper. The subject was cited for the violation and the fish were seized as evidence.
GLADES COUNTY
Officers Harris and Nasworth were on airboat patrol in the Monkey Box area of Lake Okeechobee, enforcing alligator hunting regulations. The officers conducted a vessel stop on an airboat which contained a 6 ½ foot alligator. Upon closer inspection of the alligator, the officers could plainly see that the alligator did not have the required CITES tag attached to the tail. The permit holder still had both tags attached to his paperwork. The officers issued the alligator permit holder a criminal citation for the violation.
MARTIN COUNTY
At 9:30 PM, United States Coast Guard (USCG) Fort Pierce requested FWC assistance with a grounded vessel located at the Cross Roads in Stuart. FWC Officer Rogers responded and patrolled the area until midnight. FWC Officer Moss responded early the following morning. The vessel is sixty feet in length and carrying a large amount of fuel. The vessel will be removed as soon as possible.
Officer Carroll made contact with a man fishing on the jetty at the Jensen Beach Causeway. A fisheries inspection revealed the man to be in possession of 21 pufferfish. It is illegal to possess pufferfish in Martin County. Officer Carroll remembered a previous encounter with this man, during which, Officer Carroll had issued the man a warning for possessing pufferfish in Martin County. A records check confirmed Officer Carroll’s recollection. The man was issued a citation for possession of Puffer fish in Martin County.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Officer LeBlanc was monitoring saltwater fishing activities at RedReefPark in Boca Raton. Responding to intelligence information, Officer LeBlanc focused his attention on beach fisherman. After observing one particular fisherman, Officer LeBlanc conducted a fisheries inspection. He located 26 bluefish, 16 fish over the possession limit of 10. Officer LeBlanc cited the fisherman and seized the 16 illegal fish.
FWC Officers from the Jupiter area provided crowd management and infrastructure security for the regional headquarters in West Palm Beach during a planned protest. Members of several animals’ rights organizations and other residents opposing the planned black bear hunt conducted several protests around the state on Friday, October 23rd. The protest in West Palm took place from 11:30am to 2:00pm and involved approximately 60 protesters. The protest was predominantly peaceful with protesters carrying signs and directing attention to motorists on Northlake Boulevard. However, for approximately 30 minutes they directed their attention toward the FWC office building using a bull-horn loud-speaker and chanting anti-hunting slogans directed at the Officers positioned outside the office. FWC Officers were successful in ensuring the continuity of business operations at the regional office while allowing residents the opportunity to express disagreement and dissent toward black bear hunting.
At approximately 12:30 AM, Officers’ Toby and Nasworth were on foot patrol in the area of Canal Point locks. While utilizing night vision goggles, they observed a subject throwing a cast net on both the north and south side of the locks. Officer Toby and Nasworth made contact with the subject and discovered him to be in possession of 14 black crappie and 1 blue gill. The subject confessed to catching the crappie and blue gill with the cast net. The subject was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.
At approximately 10:00 PM, the Palm Beach County Sheriff Office requested assistance with a dead cow on Indiantown Road. Lieutenant Russo and Officer Hankinson responded to the area by the Hungryland WEA in Palm BeachCounty. Upon arrival it was determined the dead animal was a large wild hog. The carcass was removed from the roadway.
While on patrol at Phil Foster Park, Officer Mann made contact with an individual to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the course of the inspection, the operator of the vessel exhibited signs of impairment. Officer Mann asked the individual to complete a series of standardized field sobriety tasks. During the tasks, the man exhibited several signs of impairment. Officer Mann arrested the individual and he was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of boating under the influence.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
OfficerChurch attended a public outreach event at the Greenacres Police Department. This was a multi-agency outreach event attended by hundreds of individuals. OfficerChurch met with the public, answered questions and handed out literature with regard to both state and federal fish and wildlife regulations. He also provided information to several individuals about becoming a FWC officer.
SOUTH REGION B
MONROE COUNTY
Lieutenant Riesz was called out in the early morning hours to respond to reports of a migrant landing at LongKeyState Park. It was an area that had no trails or road access, so water support was requested by Custom Border Patrol (CBP). A Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy accompanied her on the patrol, USCG was standing by for confirmation before launching. When they arrived at the location given, we observed a rustic Cuban vessel on the beach, but no persons. They searched the surrounding shoreline until first light, then returned to land. At approximately 0930 three exhausted and wet Cuban migrants made contact at Seabird Marina on Long Key. They advised there were 13 more Cuban males in the woods of Long Key, and that they had been at sea for 5 days, and they were in poor shape. Custom Border Patrol requested FWC water support again to check all the shorelines. Officer Hein and Lieutenant Riesz responded to the area again. Negative contact along all the shoreline of Long Key Bight. They then took their patrol into the canal system of Layton, where they located the 13 missing Cuban migrants coming through the mangrove forest. They did not required medical treatment, however they were exhausted, cut and scratched up and had salt sores, thirsty and hungry. Custom Border Patrol responded and took the case over.
Officer Hein was on land patrol in the Tavernier area. He noticed several individuals actively fishing. Officer Hein conducted a resource inspection and found none of the individuals to have fishing licenses. He also found a small bucket at the feet of the group that contained undersized mangrove snapper and undersized schoolmaster snapper. Eventually one of the individuals admitted to catching the fish and was cited accordingly.
Officer McKay was contacted by the glass bottom boat "Spirit of Pennekamp," operated out of the State Park, in reference to an aircraft part found in the water. While at Molasses Reef the crew located a small tailfin from a drone target aircraft floating in the water. Due to rough seas they retrieved the wing and brought it to shore where McKay transported it to USCG Islamorada. USCG will be contacting the Department of Defense for further follow up. The lack of marine growth indicated that it was in the water for only a short time.
DADE COUNTY
Officer Ingellis was on Derelict Vessel patrol when he approached a vessel. Upon inspection of the vessel Officer Ingellis found a family living on board. After several visits about the vessels status and its condition. Officer Ingellis contacted Department of Children and Family Services, regarding the well fare of a small child living on a board. Department of Children and Family Services was made aware of the deplorable conditions and safety issues of this vessel. There were several threats made by the occupants to the officer and other local authorities. The case was turned over to Department of Children and Family Services.
While on park patrol, at Cape Florida State Park Officer Perez observed two males fishing at fishing Pier Five and one female sitting down. Upon inspection, the Officer found a total of 7 undersized mutton snapper ranging from 10’’ to 12’. The subjects were all cited accordingly for possession of undersized mutton snapper. The evidence seized in this case was photographed and disposed of pursuant to Florida statute.
While on water patrol in the area of WatsonIsland anchorage, two officers observed a vessel on plane in a posted slow speed zone. The vessel was stopped and a safety inspection was conducted. The driver showed signs of impairment and was given field sobriety tasks that he did not perform to standard. He was arrested for BUI and given infractions for refusal to provide breath sample, speed zone violation and insufficient number of fire extinguishers.
While on road patrol, an officer conducted a wholesale/retail license inspection at a live bait shop. Upon entering the shop a large display case containing an alligator snapping turtle and a red eared slider was observed. The shop owner knowingly did not have the required permits for the two turtles and did not possess a retail license. He was issued four misdemeanors for captive wildlife violations and a warning on the retail license provided he purchased it the following day.
Two officers conducted a wholesale/retail inspection at a highly trafficked bait and fish market. The manager possessed all required licenses and purchasing records. An inspection of the lobster on display revealed an egg bearing lobster. The subject was cited accordingly.
COLLIER COUNTY
Officers Miller, Reith and Thurkettle participated in a public outreach event in North Naples along with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and North Collier Fire Department. There were over 500 people in attendance at the event and the officers handed out information on State and Federal Hunting and Fishing Regulations as well as answered all questions from the public. The Officers also brought a patrol vessel and a small alligator for the public to view and photograph.
Officers Johnson and White were dispatched to a panther call from a residential home in which the panther would not leave the residence’s yard. When the Officers arrived on the scene they found a panther that seemed to be about five months old. The complainant told the Officers that her dogs were in the yard barking, which she believed had scared the mother and her kitten. The mother ran into the nearby woods and the kitten seemed to be disoriented and scared. The Officers called for a FWC Biologist and Biologists Land and Lotz arrived on the scene shortly thereafter. The biologists were able to encourage the kitten to go into the nearby woods where the mother was believed to be hiding.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officers Dube, Veloz and Steinmetz attended the annual "Fishtails and Follies" event at Plantation Key Elementary and Middle School in Islamorada. Officers Steinmetz and Veloz accompanied by members from the Everglades Alligator Farm had on display several different species of reptiles and animals. Officers had a Florida Panther (the PKS Mascot), baby tortoises, snakes, alligators, monkeys and a baby tiger for children to observe. PlantationKeySchool students were able to touch and hold different species of non-venomous snakes, alligators, turtles and tortoises that were available. Officer Dube was a guest presenter and gave several presentations to the students on Boating Safety, Keys Critters and "How to care for and protect our Oceans and Environment".
Officer Delgado and Veloz attended The USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 61 Boating Safety Event. The event was held at Terra School in Miami which brought in over 300 students from 12 different high schools in the Dade County area ranging from 9th to 12th grade. These students were all taking the exam to acquire there Boating Safety ID Card. Officer Veloz addressed the students regarding boating safety regulations. Officer Delgado displayed the vessel "Sentry" and answered all questions regarding FWC and its’ Mission.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report