Law enforcement and emergency services will be on the job the long Labor Day weekend to create a safe atmosphere on Anna Maria Island — especially on roadways and beaches.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments are taking part through Sept. 4 in a federal initiative — Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over — to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities due to impaired driving, MCSO public information officer Randy Warren told The Islander Aug. 24.
He said the MCSO traffic unit will be conducting a DUI saturation patrol Friday, Sept. 1. A saturation or blanket patrol increases the number of officers on the lookout in an area for impaired driving behavior.
Warren said there also will be an increase in marine and mounted patrols for the holiday. The horseback patrol will concentrate on Bradenton Beach’s Coquina Beach Sept. 2 and Sept. 4.
The MCSO will be working with the Bradenton Beach Police Department, Holmes Beach Police Department and within Anna Maria with added deputies. Anna Maria contracts the MCSO for law enforcement needs.
In Holmes Beach, Police Chief Bill Tokajer said, “Drive sober, be smart, use an Uber or something like that. We are watching the roadways for impaired drivers and there are no breaks. Anyone who is pulled over for DUI that shows signs of impairment will be arrested and will be criminally charged.”
Extra officers also will be on the beach and, the chief said, “We will be watching just as we always do for any alcohol on the beach.”
Tokajer reminded people to be patient as they traverse the island and when parking their vehicles.
“We want everyone to pay attention to the signage as you drive on the island,” he said. “It’s very clearly marked to parallel park with all four tires off the road where permitted.”
In Bradenton Beach, Police Chief John Cosby told The Islander Aug. 23 that the department also will increase patrols for the holiday.
“Bridge Street has become a very popular place for people to come to and with it being a long weekend our resorts are pretty full,” Cosby said. “So we are expecting a lot of people out on the street. We’ll be concentrating on that. We want to keep all that under control and people will also be staying later at the beach because it’s a holiday so we will be concentrating efforts on that as well.”
Cosby said roadwork will be shut down for the holiday.
With county parking projects at Coquina Beach near completion, parking is not expected to be as big an issue as it was last Labor Day. However, some parking remains unavailable at Cortez Beach due to a county sewer project.
Cosby said people visiting the island should remember it will be crowded and patience is key.
“Come early to get your spot and be nice to everybody,” he said.
Parking in the right of way can result in a $75 fine and a vehicle can be towed for blocking emergency services in the city.
On the beaches, Capt. Marshall Greene of Manatee County Beach Patrol said lifeguards were ready for the three-day holiday.
“We will be fully staffed and have every lifeguard tower open,” he said. “That includes Manatee, Cortez and Coquina Beach.”
Greene said lifeguards would be present Sept. 2-4 until 6:20 p.m. in lifeguard towers and available in offices until 7 p.m.
How to contact first responders in your area:
Bradenton Beach Police Department, 941-778-6311.
Holmes Beach Police Department, 941-708-5804.
Manatee County Beach Patrol, 941-744-3950.
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, 941-747-3011.
Florida Fish and Wildlife, 888-404-3922.
U.S. Coast Guard- Station Cortez, 941-794-1607.