EVERYONE PLEASE REMEMBER THAT SCHOOL IS CURRENTLY IN SESSION AND OUR CHILDREN WILL BE EVERYWHERE, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS THAT EVERYONE USE CAUTION AT ALL TIMES, BUT ESPECIALL Y DURING THE PEAK HOURS OF 7:30AM UNTIL 3:00PM; THE NORMAL HOURS THE CHILDREN WILL BE ON, OR NEAR, THE ROADWAYS, TO AND FROM SCHOOL. Also, please do not park your vehicle, or vessel, on the sidewalks of the City, especially in the areas our children normally use while walking to and from school. We are always concerned about their safety, but when they have to get off the sidewalk and on to the roadway to walk past the objects blocking their progress, the possibility of them being struck by moving a vehicle definitely increases. Failure to comply with this request could result in the violator receiving a citation for obstruction of city sidewalks. Thank you for your continuing concern for the safety of our citizens by complying with this special request. August 4, 2007, approximately 4:55AM, Cpl. Eddie Merritt and Officer David Perry observed a female at the Island Jiffy Store on SR24 and Whiddon Avenue that appeared to be in distress. As the Officers approached her they observed her bleeding profusely from the nose and she was crying. When asked by Cpl. Merritt what the problem was she advised she had been attacked by her boyfriend, Mr. Samuel Garrett Rains, age 24, of Cedar Key. Cpl Merritt and Officer Perry then met with Mr. Rains; he was not too cooperative and failed to follow their directions. Mr. Rains was placed under arrest; charged with Domestic Battery; transported to the Levy County Jail and booked in on the aforementioned charge. He later posted bond and was released. August 11, 2007, approximately 1:53AM, Officer Mike Cosseboom observed an older model gray, four door, vehicle traveling west on 1st. Street, which appeared to be exceeding the posted 20MPH speed zone. Officer Mike began to follow the vehicle, which made several turns, observing the driver turning on to G Street and then began to accelerate. Officer Mike engaged his radar unit which indicated a "targeted speed" of 29MPH in a posted 20MPH zone. The vehicle was stopped by Officer Mike on Whiddon Avenue by the Cedar Key School. The driver, Mr. Terry Ray Cole, Sr., was asked for, and presented his driver`s license and registration. Officer Mike, while speaking to Mr. Cole, detected what he believed to be an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and called Sgt. McMullen, K-9 Officer, who brought K-9 Tess to the scene. K-9 Tess alerted on the outside of the vehicle and Mr. Cole was asked if there were any drugs in the vehicle? He replied: "Yes, a drug pipe between the front seats." Tess entered the vehicle at that point and indicated a positive alert while inside. A search of the vehicle was conducted and the pipe Mr. Cole had alluded to was found, as well as a smokeless tobacco container with a small amount of marijuana inside. Mr. Cole was placed under arrest; transported to the Levy County Jail and booked in on the charges of: (1) Possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana; (2) Possession of drug paraphernalia, and he awaited first appearance on the two misdemeanor charges. Too, Mr.` Cole`s vehicle was impounded and towed. August 12, 2007, approximately 2:02AM, Sgt. John McMullen was notified by Parttime Police Officer Chanda Sigler that a blue pickup ran the stop sign at 3rd Street and SR24, accelerating rather quickly as it proceeded in an easterly direction out of town. Officer Sigler was unable to catch the vehicle. Sgt. McMullen had observed a vehicle matching Officer Sigler`s description earlier and began pursuit. The vehicle was located by Sgt. McMullen and prior to initiating a traffic stop he observed the driver weaving within the lane of traffic and crossing the fog line on to the grassy area of the shoulder. Upon stopping the vehicle Sgt. McMullen made contact with the driver, Ms. Deana M. Anderson, age 29, of Cedar Key and asked for her driver`s license and vehicle registration. While speaking to Ms. Anderson, Sgt. McMullen detected an odor of what appeared to be the impurities of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath. Ms. Anderson`s speech was slurred, profane and she appeared to be confused. Her eyes were watery and Sgt. McMullen asked if she had been drinking? She replied: "Yes, a few." Levy County Communications was contacted by Sgt. McMullen and they advised that Ms. Anderson had an active warrant out of Alachua County. Sgt. McMullen asked Ms. Anderson if she would consent to a battery of field sobriety tests concerning her ability to drive a vehicle. Ms. Anderson consented, but it was determined that she was unable to complete the walk and turn tests due to physical problems. She did attempt to complete the other tests, but failed to follow directions, as given by Sgt. McMullen. At that time Ms. Anderson was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage; transported to the Levy County Jail and booked in on the aforementioned charge. She failed to submit to an Intoxilizer Test to determine her blood alcohol content (BAC) and she awaited first appearance to set a bond for her release. August 12, 2007, approximately 6:25PM, Sgt. John McMullen observed Mr. Stephen M. Groo, age 21, Cross City, FL, along SR24 and being aware of an outstanding Levy County Violation of Probation Warrant, arrested him. Mr. Groo was transported to the Levy County Jail where he was booked in on the VOP Warrant. Saturday, August 18, 2007, the Cedar Key Police Department, in conjunction with personnel from the Levy County Sheriffs Department, conducted a DUI Checkpoint in the area of the NAPA Store on SR24. No DUI arrests were made, but several people received traffic citations for various violations. Sgt. Scott Finnen, LCSO, spearheaded the checkpoint and did an excellent job. Also present were two people from the Florida Department of Transportation; Mr. Randal G. Smith, Traffic Safety Administrator, State Safety Office, Tallahassee and Ms. Kathryn Nelson, Law Enforcement Liaison, Panhandle Region, Tallahassee, who observed the operation. Both officials appeared to be well pleased with the rapport between the two agencies involved. The Sheriffs Department continues to assist your Police Department when we request them, and it is great enjoying the on-going camaraderie between the two agencies.
TO THOSE CITIZENS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: If the Police Department
does not have your phone number, address and a description of your needs, please contact us at: 543-5180 and provide the information as soon as possible. Hurricane season is upon us, as we all are aware, and it is imperative we know this information so we can respond in your time of need. Also, if, in the time of a disaster, you need transportation out of the area, we need to be made aware of that so we can make the necessary arrangement. Be sure to have your medication, and other necessary items, readily available so we, or the ones we send, can find them when we come to assist you in your time of need. PLEASE, be sure to call us, or have a family member make us aware, regardless of how sensitive your needs may be. The City of Cedar Key will be issuing RE-ENTRY PASSES which is required to reenter the City after evacuating the area, should we have a Hurricane, or any other Disaster that may befall the city. Each` resident will be issued one sticker for each of their respective vehicles. You may gather further information concerning this reentry pass by calling your Police Department (543-5180) or City Hall personnel (543-5132). REMEMBER; SPEEDING FINES ARE DOUBLED IN THE SCHOOL ZONE. Please maintain a 15MPH speed at all times when the lights are flashing and you will not be bothered by "blue lights" behind you. Again, be sure to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you and do not ever leave home angry with anyone. One day we will all understand why this is so important, so why not do it now. Until next time, be safe and always "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." |
