Everything remains on the downside with police activity in the City the past two weeks; THANK GOODNESS. Our officers continue their "foot patrol" on Dock Street, which appears to be a deterrent to criminal activity in that area. Also, noise complaints appear to be diminishing, or complaints have certainly been minimal the past few weeks. Anyway, I am proud of the fact things have continued to be slow; especially the DUI cases are way below last year. Thanks to those responsible for this specific decrease, as that was our initial intent when we began the ZERO TOLERANCE for DUIs. Still, if you drink, drive and get caught, the penalties remain the same as always. We are especially thankful for those who have taken on the challenge of being "designated driver," as it continues to make our job a lot easier. Too, those who have had too much to drink and drive are saving a lot of money; probable incarceration; possible injuries and even death, since they allow someone to drive them home.
July 28, 2007, approximately 10:58 p.m., Officer Mike Cosseboom, while patrolling on SR24, observed a silver pick-up that appeared to be traveling above the 30MPH posted speed in that area. Officer Mike engaged his radar which indicated a target speed of 48MPH. Officer Mike pursued the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop near the Number Three Bridge. The driver, known by Officer Mike to be Garrett McCain, age 23, exited the driver`s side door and was asked for his driver`s license. Mr. McCain stated his license was suspended, which Officer Mike verified through The Levy County Communications Center. Mr. McCain was arrested; transported to the Levy County Jail and booked in on the charge of Knowingly Driving While License Suspended or Revoked. He awaited first appearance before a committing magistrate.
July 29, 2007, approximately 1:30 a.m., Sgt. John McMullen, parked at the corner of SR24 and Third Street, observed a golf cart, with no lights on, run through the stop sign posted at that intersection. Sgt. McMullen pursued the vehicle, activating his emergency overhead lights in front of Fishbones on Third Street, but the driver did not stop until they were in the Cedar Inn parking lot. The driver, Ms. Linda P. Fu, age 53, of Lake City, was asked by Sgt. McMullen why she did not have her headlights on, replied: I did have them on but her friend told her to turn them off to conserve the cart`s battery. She was asked for her driver`s license by Sgt. McMullen and she stated they were in the motel room. Sgt. McMullen was given Ms. FU`s full name, date of birth and Social Security number, which he checked through the Levy County Communications Center and they indicated she did have a valid driver`s license. Sgt. McMullen smelled a strong odor of alcohol impurities from Ms. FU`s breath and asked if she would submit to a battery of field sobriety tests, to which she agreed. She also admitted to consuming two (2) drinks of an alcoholic beverage; the last one being one-half hour before being stopped. Ms. FU did not function too well while participating in the field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Ms. FU was taken to the Williston Police Department, where she submitted to an Intoxilizer Test to determine the Blood Alcohol Content (RAC) of her body. The tests indicated Ms. FU exceeded the .08 BAC allowed by Florida Statute, when the first test results were .126 and the second test results were .131. This indicated that the BAC was, in fact, escalating in Ms. FU`s body. She was transported to the Levy County Jail, booked in on DUI and awaited first appearance. August 1, 2001, Sgt. John McMullen responded to a "domestic violence" call and upon arrival was met by the victim, who was complaining she could not breathe. Sgt. McMullen stated the victim`s face was flushed and he observed what appeared to be blood coming from her left nostril. Officer Mike Cosseboom arrived on the scene and was advised by Sgt. McMullen to take the suspect, Mr. Gary Lee Crosby, age 42, Cedar Key, into custody and remove him from the area. Mr. Crosby, after being placed in the squad car began to kick the inside of the vehicle, even after being restrained by Officer Mike. During his kicking inside the vehicle Mr. Crosby kicked the passenger side rear door out of alignment, which resulted in another charge being placed against him. Mr. Crosby was transported to the Levy County Jail and booked in on the charges of: Domestic Battery - Resisting arrest without violence Criminal Mischief - and - Possession of Medication not Prescribed. Mr. Crosby remained in the Levy County Jail awaiting first appearance. The victim was given a copy of Victim`s Rights Notification form.
The Cedar Key Police Department received a heavy jolt when we learned that our "part-time" secretary, if we really have one, Ms. Janet Hinote is leaving the City of Cedar Key after seventeen (17) years of continuous serice. Ms. Janet, who has been Ms. Frances Hodges Assistant City Clerk, and her right arm, during this tenure, will begin a career with the Levy County School Board at Chiefland Elementary Lunchroom the week of August 13, 2007. The PD will certainly miss her smiling face and her uncanny ability to know what office supplies we need before our personnel even ask her to place an order. Our loss will most certainly be Chiefland Elementary`s gain and although we will MISS HER, we know she has the ability to succeed there as she has here, after she became an employee of our great little community. Good Luck, Janet, and think of us often, as we surely will miss you here. Thanks for a job WELL DONE.
ANOTHER FRIENDLY REMINDER: OUR CHILDREN WILL BEGIN SCHOOL BEFORE THE NEXT PRESS RELEASE, so please use caution when driving past the school house at all times, but especially when the lights are flashing. This is Cedar Key and quiet often younger children, escorted by their older siblings, have a tendency to "dart" across the road without warning. PLEASE, DO NOT SPEED THROUGH THIS AREA ANYTIME SCHOOL IS IN SESSION, as the children of today will be our leaders of tomorrow, and we need to protect them at all costs. |
