Photo courtesy of the Gulfport Police Department/Dan Liedtke
Our weekly report contains examples of calls for service we handled throughout the week. These calls resulted in a report being generated, an arrest being made, or are important for other squads to know about. It is not a full report for all calls; for a call log, please refer to Pinellas County’s Crime Viewer.
Eye on Gulfport: Sept. 17-23 Gulfport Police Weekly Activity Report
Patrol Division
- Dispatched calls for service: 101
- Self-initiated calls for service: 384
- Incident/offense reports: 32
- Arrests made: 6
- Traffic/vessel stops: 67
- Parking violations: 24
- Ordinance violations: 27
- House checks: 27
Look through the Eye on Gulfport’s report for Sept. 10-16.
Examples of arrests or significant incidents or calls this week:
The Denton County Sheriff’s Office (Texas) contacted the Communications Center and requested that our officers attempt to locate a suspect in one of their cases. Denton County SO obtained an arrest warrant for a resident. The warrant was for enticing a minor via a telecommunications device. Officers located and arrested the resident. He was transported to the Pinellas County jail to await extradition to Texas.
A person reported that he was missing a crate of locksmith supplies valued at approximately $500. After being unable to locate his tools, he spoke with a neighbor who reported seeing the items in their trash can on a previous day. City sanitation services have since collected the trash. Officers do not know who placed the tools in the trash, and they have not identified a suspect.
A mother, while away from home, received a message from her 14-year-old daughter’s boyfriend advising that the juvenile had been sending messages indicating that she did not want to live anymore and included photographs of a knife. Gulfport Police responded and took the juvenile into protective custody. Officers transported her to Eleos Wellness and Support for further evaluation and assistance.
A previously reported squatter returned to the property and was discovered by the homeowner. The homeowner followed the individual into St. Petersburg, where he eventually lost sight of him.
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How We Cover Crime
When the current owners purchased The Gabber Newspaper in 2020, they made many changes. In October 2020, they changed policies on how The Gabber Newspaper handles crime reporting. Take a look at why we made that change, and why we now run the Chief’s report as we do.
Officers responded to an in-progress domestic after receiving information that one of the involved parties was armed with a knife. A 65-year-old reported being bitten and had visible marks on their left arm consistent with a bite.
A resident reported that his former roommate took a basket containing his clothing while moving out of the residence without his permission.
Officers responded to a disturbance at a local bar involving two patrons, each with a service dog. One of the dogs barked at the other, prompting the owner of the other dog to produce a knife and threaten to kill the dog. Bar staff asked the man to leave, but he refused. When employees attempted to physically remove him, he hit an employee in the face and attempted to hit another. Staff eventually gained control of the man, escorted him outside, and he left the area. The man later contacted Gulfport Police and claimed that he was the victim of a battery during the incident.
A man reported that two electric tricycles, one maroon and one mint green, were stolen overnight. The tricycles had been secured to a light pole with a cable lock, which was cut during the theft.
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The Gabber Newspaper? We Go There
In 1968, our founder, George Brann, started The Gabber Newspaper, then called the Gulfport Gabber, to hold Gulfport City Council accountable. Read more of our city council coverage, and learn about our policies on reporting, fact-checking, and funding.
A woman called regarding an incident involving her brother and his home health aide. The man, who has dementia, was experiencing pain and attempted to use his iPad to call 911 for assistance. The aide attempted to prevent him from calling and, after several attempts, took the iPad from him. The man grabbed the aide and pulled her hair while attempting to retrieve the device. The aide left before officers arrived and did not wish to pursue the matter. Officers reviewed video of the incident, which showed the man reacting to the aide taking his iPad while he was attempting to seek assistance. Based on the investigation, officers determined the reported battery was unfounded.
Officers observed a person on the property prior to receiving a call from the business reporting that the same individual was yelling and causing a disturbance. Officers subsequently arrested the man for trespass after warning.
Sometime within the past two weeks, an unknown suspect pried a piece of plywood from the rear door of a vacant residence to gain entry. The incident remains under investigation.
Officers responded to a townhome complex regarding a woman who was yelling and breaking items in the front walkway area. The investigation determined that approximately $1,500 worth of HOA property had been intentionally damaged. HOA management requested prosecution. was taken into custody and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.
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A grandmother reported ongoing issues with her 27-year-old grandson, who she reported was disrespectful and did not contribute to the household. Officers explained that the matter was civil and provided her with information about the eviction process.
Officers responded to a request for assistance from a mother needing assistance addressing her son’s behavior. The mother reported that her son hugged her and refused to let go after being told to stop and also pretended to punch her. She did not wish to pursue charges but wanted her son to understand the seriousness of his actions and that such behavior could have consequences. The son acknowledged his actions and stated that he was only being playful. Officers counseled him regarding his behavior and advised him to stop roughhousing with his mother and respect her personal space.
Marine Unit
The Marine Unit was on the water for approximately 12 hours this week. Three new derelict vessel cases have been initiated.
