Speeding issues in neighborhoods are a common complaint heard by police departments across the nation, but the issue becomes a bit complicated for officers to deal with when that neighborhood is behind a gate.
Roberta Straff, who lives in the Bay Isles neighborhood on Longboat Key, has raised concerns with police about a speeding neighbor. Straff said she has seen the same black car repeatedly speeding through the neighborhood and estimates the car had been traveling 60 or even 70 miles per hour.
“Everybody here is aware of the situation of the speeders,” Straff said. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
The police report documenting Straff’s complaint states that Longboat Key Police Department is “limited in its ability to enforce traffic laws inside the community due to its roads being private.” Police Chief Russ Mager said police can get into gated communities at any time for routine patrols and to respond to calls…