From routine traffic stops to noise complaints, to high-speed chases, a night with the Marco Island Police Department (MIPD) highlights the variety of calls officers respond to in the coastal resort town. Marco Island has been ranked the safest city in Florida, according to the FBI’s latest violent crime statistics.
"We will try and get our traffic enforcement done early... Things start to die off once you get to 10, 11, 12 o'clock at night," said Officer Will Prigge, of the Marco Island Police Department.
Even as the night slows down, some calls require immediate attention. Officers regularly patrol the Jolley Bridge, one of two key entry points to the island.
"Obviously, you got the bridge there, coming on and off. It can be a dangerous area to speed in," Prigge said.
Alcohol-related incidents make up a significant portion of calls during the tourist season, and officers often look for signs of impairment when making stops.
"More so at night. People are having dinner, they're having a few drinks... You'll start off with their driving pattern. If they're not maintaining their lane, or they're going through a stop sign, stoplight. A lot of times people don't have their lights on," Prigge said.
The increase in population during the season contributes to the workload. Marco Island is one of many cities in Collier County that becomes exceedingly more populous during the winter months, both with seasonal residents and tourists.
"I believe our population triples during season... The majority of our calls, this time of the year, revolve around alcohol, unfortunately. Being a resort town like we are, it does increase the potential for drinking and driving," Prigge said.
Not all calls are routine. During Gulf Coast News' time on the road, officers were dispatched to:
- Noise complaints
- Reports of an armed suicidal individual
- Medical calls
- A suspicious vehicle
"There's a lot of variety. You never know what kind of call you're going to get... but that's why we are here," Prigge said.