Good Neighbor Policy: A resident of Janie Poe Drive in Sarasota called the police to report that a neighbor continuously bothers her when she is outside, in front of her apartment. She cited the following incident: she was in her front yard, talking to relatives when her neighbor walked by and interrupted her. They began yelling back and forth at each other. Police told the neighbor to stay out of trouble by staying in his own yard.
You're Grounded: A caller reported a verbal dispute between a mother and daughter. Police questioned both ladies and discovered that the daughter was very upset because the mother had told her that she was not allowed on the Internet. The mother told officers that she decided to restrict her daughter from using the Internet because her daughter was "typing rude things to boys." The ladies already see a support counselor and said that they would discuss this incident in their next meeting.
One of the Gang: A Dixie Avenue resident reported to the Sarasota station dispatchers that she was involved in a dispute with a possible gang member who lives in her neighborhood. She also mentioned that the man was possibly armed. When police arrived on the scene, the man, who was in fact a gang member, was screaming obscenities and appeared quite angry. Patting him down revealed that he was not armed. Police then spoke with the reporting woman. She explained that she has an ongoing dispute with the gang member and his family. That particular evening, he was outside her residence trying to incite a physical fight. The gang member reassured police that he would leave the area and would not return that night.
I Have Robin Hood on Speed Dial: The T-Mobile store manager for the location at Southgate Mall in Sarasota reported 29 stolen cell phones and $1,000 missing in cash. There was no sign of forced entry, and the manager believed he knew which employee did it. He had a private investigator look into the matter and discovered that one of the cell phones was already in use. When the PI called that number, a woman answered. When questioned, she explained that she had mentioned that she needed a cell phone to a T-Mobile employee. A few days later, that employee called her to let her know that he had a phone ready for her to use. He did not accept any payment for the phone. She was surprised to learn that the phone had been stolen. Only one employee was at work during the time that she was given the phone. Against police recommendation, that employee was contacted and told about the investigation. He denied any wrongdoing.
From the files of the Sarasota P.D.
This article appears in Jan 18-24, 2006.
