Your Police Department has recently received complaints about people failing to use turn signals, or hand signals, when making turns while driving around town. We are required to use appropriate signals when making turns, but more than anything else it is a courtesy to those behind and in front of you, as they are not aware of your intentions. Please, be sure to extend this courtesy to everyone each and every time you make a turn. Golf Carts continue to be a problem on SR24 and again I respectfully request that the golf rental companies make their patrons aware that crossing SR24 is permissible but they cannot drive even one (1) block on the State Highway. Anyone driving a cart on SR24 is subject to be cited by a City Police Officer, a Sheriff`s Deputy or a Highway Patrol Officer, when observed violating this rule. Also, using a hand, or turn signal, is required while driving golf carts, so please abide by this rule at all times when on the streets of Cedar Key. October 1, 2007, approximately 2:43PM, Officer Mike Cosseboom, while controlling traffic in the School Zone, clocked a red GMC pickup at 26 MPH in the 15 MPH zone and stopped the vehicle for excessive speed. Mr. Joseph K. Hawkesworth, age 51, of Summerfield, FL, presented his driver`s license to Officer Mike, with a notation stating for "work purposes only" on the license. Officer Mike asked Mr. Hawkesworth what was his purpose for being in Cedar Key, to which he replied: "to go fishing." Officer Mike asked Mr. Hawkesworth if he was in town for work and he stated: "No." Mr. Hawkesworth was arrested for "knowingly driving while license were suspended or revoked;" transported to the Levy County Jail and booked in on the aforementioned charge. Mr. Hawkesworth is considered by the State of Florida to be a "Habitual Traffic Offender," based on his prior driving record. October 2,2007, approximately 8:55PM, Sgt. John McMullen arrested Casey M. Buesing, age 23, of Cedar Key, for Larceny of Utilities; to-wit: Tampering with an. Electric Meter at 3011 G. Street - Apt 115. Mr. Buesing broke the seal on the meter, per a witnesses signed statement and restored electricity to the apartment, on, or about September 13, 2007. Central Florida Electric Cooperative of Chiefland, FL is the victim and is seeking prosecution in the larceny of the electricity. October 6, 2007, approximately 1 :30AM, Office Mike Cosseboom observed a golf cart with five (5) people on it pass his location on D Street. Officer Mike, concerned for the safety of those aboard the cart, initiated a traffic stop and asked the driver, Mr. William Cannon, age 23, Marion County, for his driver`s license, but the driver failed to communicate with Officer Mike. The other people on the cart continued to answer the questions being asked and Officer Mike asked Mr. Cannon to step off the golf cart so he
could speak to him. As Mr. Cannon stepped from the cart he lost his balance and appeared to be unsteady on his feet. Officer Mike stated he smelled what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. Cannon`s breath and he asked how much alcohol had the driver consumed. He replied: "Too much." Officer Mike arrested Mr. Cannon, transported him to the Levy County Jail and booked him in on driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, pending first appearance. October 6, 2007, Officer Mike Cosseboom observed a beige Dodge van fail to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of First Street and Dock Street. Officer Mike initiated a traffic stop on Dock Street, making contact with the driver, Mr. Richard W. Clark, age 54, of Old Town, FL. While speaking to Mr. Clark Officer Mike detected a strong odor of the impurities of an alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. Clark`s breath. Mr. Clark admitted to having had "a couple" of beer. Officer Mike asked Mr. Clark to step from his vehicle and in doing so he appeared to be very unsteady on his feet, but he did consent to perform field sobriety tests, when requested to do so. Once the tests were completed Officer Mike determined Mr. Clark was under the influence of alcohol; arrested him and transported him to the Levy County Jail, where he was booked in on DUI. October 7,2007, Sgt. John McMullen arrested Ms. Wanda A. Wright, age 45, Chiefland, FI on outstanding warrants as follows: (1) Violation of Probation and Criminal Mischief - No Bond: (2) Possession of Cannabis - No Bond: (3)Possession of Paraphernalia - No Bond. Ms. Wright was transported to the Levy County Jail and booked in on the afbrementioned outstanding warrants. October 11, 2007, Sgt. John McMullen, while conducting traffic control in the posted school zone, Whiddon Avenue, clocked a white Oldsmobile vehicle with his stationary radar at 28MPH in the 15MPH speed zone. Sgt. John pursued the vehicle, stopping the vehicle at Whiddon Avenue and H Street. The driver of the vehicle, Mr. John L. Schuetz, Age 63, was checked by Sgt. John through the Levy County Communication Center and they advised Mr. Schuetz`s driver`s license was suspended or revoked, due to a previous DUI. Also, the vehicle registration has been expired less than six (6) months. Mr. Schuetz was arrested for knowingly driving on a suspended/revoked driver`s license and was issued citations for speeding through the school zone, as well as for no valid registration.
RED RIBBON week is October 23rd through October 31st which continues to support DRUG FREE children, so let us all participate in this long standing, worthwhile program. Be sure to wear RED on October 25,2007, supporting the National Red Ribbon Campaign. Remember: "It takes a village to save a child!"
The Seafood Festival is upon us and your Police Chief was talking when he should have been listening when he volunteered to assist the Senior Class in cooking "funnel cakes" on Saturday and Sunday, October 20th and 21st. I really look forward to helping the School, since I am as proud of graduating from Cedar Key High School as I am to be an American citizen. We really need to be proud of our "A" School, especially for those directly responsible for the children`s accomplishments over the years. Our continuing success in education can be attributed to all areas of our local school system, not just our wonderful teachers. We need to recognize the teacher`s Aides; the custodial staff; the lunchroom workers and last, but certainly not least; the pleasant women in the front office. Congratulations
to each and every one of you and the part all of you play in the success of our students. We will have sufficient law enforcement to keep everything under control, but we need everyone`s assistance in keeping the streets safe for the weekend. Everyone needs to give an "Atta boy" to our Volunteer Firefighters for their continuing interest in educating our young children in fire prevention and how to react when, or if, they are ever involved in a fire situation. Last week they took time from their busy schedule, since they are volunteers and have other job commitments, to speak to the Elementary School Students, instructing them what to do and what not to dowif they are ever confronted with a fire problem. Too, the students were very attentive and responded well when asked if they had any questions. All of us should be thankful we have such dedicated men and women involved in the protection of our homes and families, as the firemen continuously prepare themselves by continuing their education of firefighting in an effort to help reduce our insurance premiums. Too, some of them are first responders, assisting Emergency Medical Services Personnel in local medical calls, regardless of what the emergency is or might time it may occur. Keep all of them in your prayers as the firefighting profession is one of the most dangerous occupations in our great country. REMINDER: TRICK OR TREAT WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 30, 2007 THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE 31sT FALLS ON WEDNESDAY, per City Resolution Number 209. The 31st will be the normal date unless it falls on Sunday or Wednesday. Sorry for the inconvenience. Have fun: Please be careful and wear reflective type clothing for safety reasons. Hope everyone has a successful Festival and be sure to make our visitors feel welcome to our little community. Encourage them to come back and visit us when we can spend more time with them. Be sure to visit all the vendors in the City Park, or on Second Street, as they are all non-profit organizations and need your support. I`ll see you there. |
