Anna Maria Island rang in the New Year without an arrest for driving impaired.
Island law enforcement was out in force, participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over nationwide enforcement effort.
Zero was the number of driving impaired arrests in Holmes Beach, according to HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer.
He credited the absence of arrests to public education about not driving after drinking and “a considerable number of people” using Uber, the Manatee County trolley and the Monkey Bus.
Tokajer added, “At 3 a.m., I walked through every bar in the city.”
Manatee County Sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Davis, who heads the Anna Maria substation, said the two-day period went “very well,” with “no major incidents” and no DUIs.
Two Jan. 1 property damage incidents were reported in Bradenton Beach, but there were no DUI arrests during the two-day holiday, according to the Bradenton Beach Police Department.
“I credit the enforcement, Monkey Bus and the free trolley — they really, really help a lot,” BBPD Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz said.
As far as property damages, BBPD reported:
An entry gate to the north parking area at Coquina Park, 2651 Gulf Drive S., was damaged between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. An aluminum gate was broken from the post anchoring it to the ground.
Criminal mischief of less than $1,000 occurred to a vehicle parked at Harvey Community Memorial Church, 300 Church St. An unknown person smashed a hatchback’s rear window and kicked in the rear sometime after 4 a.m. Neighbors reported they not hear any noise.
— Kathy Prucnell