As Sanibel continues to recover from Hurricane Ian, the Sanibel Police Department is committed to keeping the community safe and secure. To support that effort, a weekly police blotter will be issued on Tuesday that will include real time information about law enforcement response to criminal activity.

ARRESTS

– Abel Castro Jr., 34, of 908 N.W. 24th Terrace, Cape Coral, was charged on May 19 with one count of drive while license suspended revocation equivalent status, two counts of probation violation and one count of out-of-county warrant.

– Mark Allen Furr, 54, of 1666 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel, was charged on May 15 with two counts of assault aggravated with intent to commit a felony, one count of firing weapon in public or on residential property, one count of DUI unlawful blood alcohol refusal to submit DUI testing, one count of weapon offense use firearm under influence of alcohol and one count of DUI unlawful blood alcohol DUI influence of alcohol or drugs.

– Seneca Santana, 43, of 2208 Christopher Ave., Lehigh Acres, was charged on May 20 with one count of DUI unlawful blood alcohol DUI influence of alcohol or drugs.

OTHER ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

– On May 17, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed. The driver was subsequently issued a notice to appear for unlawful speed (78 mph in a 35 mph zone).

– On May 18, officers responded to a report of a man walking in a wooded area with a rifle. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle illegally parked with an incorrect license plate attached. Shortly after, two males hunting iguanas with an air rifle were located in the same area. Upon further investigation, the registered owner of the vehicle was issued a notice to appear for tag attached not assigned, the license plate was seized and the vehicle towed. The two males were educated on hunting iguanas on Sanibel and picked up by another licensed driver.

– On May 19, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed. The driver was subsequently issued a citation for unknowingly driving with a suspended license. The license plate was also seized and the vehicle towed from the scene.

– On May 20, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed. The driver was subsequently issued a citation for speeding and a notice to appear for never having a driver’s license issued. The vehicle was removed from the scene by a licensed driver.

ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS STATISTICS

From May 14-20:

– Alarm calls (business and residential): 7

– 911 non-emergency calls: 25

– Traffic crashes: 1

– Radar details: 67

– Traffic stops: 67

—- Citations issued: 25

—- Written warnings issued: 11

—- Verbal warnings issued: 37

– Residential area checks: 337

– Business area checks: 193

– Total area checks: 976

– Reported burglaries: 0

– Reported thefts: 0

– Total CAD calls: 1,284

May 2024 to date:

– Alarm calls (business and residential): 20

– Non-emergency calls: 68

– Traffic crashes: 2

– Radar details: 176

– Traffic stops: 124

—- Citations issued: 44

—- Written warnings issued: 14

—- Verbal warnings issued: 74

– Residential area checks: 1,197

– Business area checks: 556

– Total area checks: 2,868

– Reported burglaries: 2

– Reported thefts: 1

– Total CAD calls: 3,662

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Those attending the Sanibel Island Farmers Market on Sundays are reminded to park their vehicles in the designated lots. Roadside parking is not allowed on Sanibel and is enforceable with a $150 fine.

When leaving Sanibel, motorists are encouraged to travel east on Periwinkle Way. In order to minimize the number of vehicles driving through residential neighborhoods and increase traffic flow, priority is being given to vehicles eastbound on Periwinkle. Motorists using Bailey Road southbound, Lindgren northbound and Periwinkle westbound may experience additional delays as traffic flows are adjusted for efficiency.

The 2024 Annual Beach Parking Permits are available at the Sanibel Recreation Center and are valid from the date of purchase through Nov. 30. The 2023 permits have expired and are no longer valid.

The city of Sanibel’s 2021 and 2022 Hurricane Re-entry Passes are still valid. If you have one, you do not need to re-apply for a new pass.

Information for the Sanibel Boat Ramp:

– Parking and boat launching fee is $40 per day.

– Parking and boat launching on weekends and holidays is with AC/BC permit only.

– Commercial use is prohibited.

– Fines for violations at the boat ramp are $500.

Solicitation is not allowed on Sanibel. Please share any photos of solicitation hang tags to police@mysanibel.com or use Tip411.

REPORTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

Anonymous tips regarding crimes or suspicious activity can be submitted via Tip411:

– Text the keyword SANIBEL then your tip to 847411.

– Web tips can be submitted at https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_group_id=22450.

– Use the free “Sanibel PD” app for your Android or iOS device.

The SPD’s non-emergency line is 239-472-3111.

Find the SPD on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SanibelPolice.