Local law enforcement agencies are preparing to safeguard pirates on land and ride mounted horses on sand.
Independence Day on Anna Maria Island is nearly at hand.
While revelers take their July 4 holiday, law enforcement and emergency services personnel will protect the public and provide a safe atmosphere.
July 4 falls on a Tuesday but the island will see holiday activity for about a week — July 1-8.
“We want people to be mindful that if they want to come out here there will be a wait because all of our roads coming to the island are already over capacity,” said Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer.
He said the city does not have a parking issue but it does have a traffic issue.
“We had plenty of parking over Memorial Day weekend, where we had over 100 spots that were still unused,” Tokajer said. “The city has a map on its website that shows you all the available parking. Pay attention to the map, park legally, make sure that you are always faced with the flow of traffic and make sure all four tires are off the road. If you can’t get the tires off the road, it’s not a legal parking place.”
People considering fireworks as a part of their Fourth of July celebration are legally restricted to sparklers, smoke devices, party poppers, snappers and snakes, the chief added.
Exploding, launching or projectile fireworks are illegal and their use can carry up to a $250 fine.
Illegal fireworks can be seized and a violation may be issued to those who possess them.
Sky lanterns also are prohibited.
“What we do is, if someone is doing fireworks, is to make sure they are doing them in a safe manner and not endangering any people,” Tokajer said. “If they endanger someone, then we confiscate for the safety of the public.”
For those who miss the message board while traveling west on Manatee Avenue, some other basic beach rules to know:
- No pets;
- No fires;
- No grilling;
- No glass bottles;
- No alcohol.
The rules apply on the beaches across the island, but concessions that sell alcohol and picnic areas with grills can be found at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach and Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.
Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby told The Islander June 20 that people visiting Coquina and Cortez beaches should arrive early because parking can be limited on holidays.
Beach parking will be different from previous holidays this year due to county construction projects.
“Be patient and know that parking is limited with the construction issues that are going on,” Cosby said. “The construction crews will not be actively working over the weekend.”
“The real heavy construction where we are going to have some significant changes in traffic flow is at the S curve there,” he continued. “I have asked them and they have agreed to not even attempt that until after the Fourth is over.”
Due to a county sewer project, parking is not available at Cortez Beach. However, parking at Coquina Beach is open.
Parking in the city’s rights of way is illegal and can lead to a $75 fine. And if a vehicle is blocking access for emergency vehicles, it will be towed.
“We’ll have extra people on as always,” Cosby said of staffing. “I’m spreading out my admin staff a little bit so that we all pitch in and do what we need to do to get the job done.”
Cosby said parents should keep an eye on kids and that water safety — whether in a pool or the Gulf of Mexico — is paramount.
He also mentioned that on the morning of the Fourth, people should keep an eye out for pirates.
“Don’t forget about the parade,” Cosby said. “The parade is on the Fourth itself, which is a Tuesday. That is going to cause some traffic snarl for a couple hours there in the morning.”
The Anna Maria Island Privateers parade will begin at 10 a.m. starting at Coquina Beach and heading north, ending at City Pier Park in Anna Maria.
There is no permitted fireworks show this year in Anna Maria, though Manatee County sheriff’s deputies will boost its staffing.
MCSO will be working in a concerted effort with island law enforcement, with a mounted patrol at Coquina Beach July 3 and July 4.
The MCSO, which patrols Anna Maria under a contract with the city, also will have added deputies on the island to assist with crowd control and monitoring the beach, according to assistant public information officer Melissa Conway.
Conway, in a June 21 email to The Islander, wrote, “Our mounted patrol and SRT (special response team) units will be at Coquina Beach that weekend. On July 1 and 2, some of our traffic deputies will work in conjunction with the Coast Guard and FWC to focus on Boating Under the Influence enforcement.”
It is unlawful to operate a vessel in the state with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher.
“We’d remind residents and visitors to park only in designated areas,” Conway wrote. “Have patience and plan ahead as holiday weekends tend to bring more people and traffic to the island — and follow all posted signage, including no alcohol on public beaches.”
Marine patrol vessels will be on the water, doing safety checks, monitoring the “No Wake” zones and manatee protection zones.
Meanwhile, newly promoted Manatee County Beach Patrol Capt. Marshall Greene shared safety tips for families visiting the beaches.
“With the big crowd levels, there’s a possibility of lost children, lost family members,” he said. “If you do ever lose anybody, report to a lifeguard tower as fast as possible.”
The beach patrol staff has grown by seven over the past two months and all towers at Coquina, Cortez and Manatee Public beaches will be guarded.
“We are going to be out here from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.,” he said. “Towers will be guarded from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. but we will be on duty until 7 p.m. So, if any calls come through, we will still be here.”
Typical staffing runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m., but the county extended the hours for the holiday.
Greene said visitors should look for signal flags at the towers before entering the water.
“If we do have rip currents and waves present, you will see a yellow or a red flag and that’s where you need to be cautious,” Greene said. “If you have any questions, ask a lifeguard.”