Poop problem returns to pier

“I’m still shaking my head,” Bradenton Beach Mayor Bob Bartelt said toward the end of the brief monthly pier team meeting Nov. 3.

Bartelt had just heard the maintenance report on the Historic Bridge Street Pier from public works director Tom Woodard. The department is again dealing with a person, or persons, defecating in the pier showers and rest rooms —missing the toilet bowls on purpose.

The pier team, which consists of the chiefs from city departments and the mayor, meets on the first Thursday of the month at city hall to discuss routine maintenance and upkeep of the historic structure.

Often the maintenance includes replacing worn parts and fixtures, tidying up the deck and painting weathered wood.

Periodically upkeep includes removing human waste.

“Three different times this week the bathrooms were left like that,” Woodard said, adding that someone also defecated on the floating dock alongside the main deck. “Someone leaned in the corner and squatted.”

Woodard’s report Nov. 3 elicited grimaces, “yucks,” head-shaking and, from Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale, a vow. “I’m going to take care of that,” he said, referring to the culprit.

Woodard also reported last week that someone, possibly the same individual, was removing low-flow heads in the shower. So his department installed an industrial-grade showerhead.

“Tamper proof, like in prisons,” he said.