City of Bradenton & BPD covered up Chief Melanie Bevan's car crash

 Friendly_Invite_2641

4d ago

In 2019, shortly after the annual Desoto Parade, Police Chief Melanie Bevan struck Rita Bonnett with her unmarked Ford Explorer. Bonnett, who was holding her 4-year-old daughter at the time, managed to throw her daughter out of the vehicle's path but was unable to break her fall. She hit her head on the ground, suffering a traumatic brain injury that has resulted in seizures, migraines, and recurring nightmares about being run over.

A rookie officer wrote the incident report, which was later approved by a veteran sergeant. The report, however, did not include Bevan's name. According to a former department source, the officer claimed he was instructed by two superiors on what to write.

Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown has never publicly addressed the incident, despite his office being served with a summons for a negligence lawsuit filed in 2021 by Bonnett against the city. Brown, who also serves as the city's police commissioner, oversees Bevan. At the time of the accident in 2019, however, Brown was a city council member, and Wayne Poston was mayor. Poston, too, was Bevan's supervisor.

At least 10 individuals may have been aware of the accident, including Bevan, Brown, Poston, Bradenton Police Officer Josh Lunder, Sgt. Joseph Kelly, Lt. Shannon Seymour, Assistant Chief and current city councilman Josh Cramer, BPD Legal Advisor Paul Driscoll, City Administrator Rob Perry, and City Attorney Scott Rudacille. Yet, the incident has never been mentioned in any Bradenton City Council meetings, according to agendas and minutes. Additionally, it has never been publicly disclosed that a settlement was reached in 2022, likely using taxpayer money.

Read the full Herald Tribune investigation... https://archive.ph/wljbi

Tanner Farmer

 Tanner Farmer

Tanner Farmer

It’s no secret that at the beginning of the holidays (thanksgiving-Christmas) our district is easy pickings for entering autos, one way to combat crime in our neighborhood is STREET LIGHTS!! Not only does it reduce crime it also has a significant impact on reducing traffic accidents! When elected, I will fight for street lights on every road in our district and in our parks!! MAKE CHEROKEE HEIGHTS SAFE!!

Rules for thee, but not for me?

 William Tompkins

·

Rules for thee, but not for me? If you have been following social media or attending city commission meetings, you are likely aware of the ethics complaints that have been filed. The primary concern raised is the lack of oversight regarding city officials' use of city-issued credit cards. Specifically, there have been allegations of questionable charges on one commissioner's credit card. While one commissioner was singled out and investigated, the city commission declined to authorize an outside investigation into all city-issued cards. That is troublesome. Are they afraid of what an investigation might turn up? As someone with 25 years of management experience, I have only had one instance where I was issued a company credit card. In my opinion, eliminating city-issued credit cards could be beneficial. In most corporate settings, employees are provided with a daily meal allowance guideline when traveling. Expenses are reimbursed upon submission of receipts, minimizing the potential for questionable charges. It is perplexing that the entire commission would not welcome an independent investigation. If elected, I pledge to refuse a city credit card. It is time for honesty, accountability, and integrity in city hall. Elect me as your next commissioner, and together, we can strive to make our city a city of excellence.

https://nextdoor.com/p/BmFXZxhW2fqz?utm_source=share&extras=ODEyMDc2ODU%3D&utm_campaign=1743537413880&share_action_id=8d75d7fe-2959-4be1-9155-a8341f2786ae

AccuWeather predicts active 2025 hurricane season

 

AccuWeather predicts active 2025 hurricane season AccuWeather released its forecast for the coming hurricane season — June 1 through Nov. 30 — predicting an active and turbulent year for th… Read more

Ware County Sheriff Press Release

 Robert Phillips

Friday afternoon we received a call concerning a death in St George. Local resident Johnny Leonard Rawls was found deceased at his residence. The investigation determined Mr Rawls died of natural causes. Our condolences are extended to the family!

Later we were called to a fire at the area known as Soggy Bottom. Deputies arrived on scene and Charlton Co EMS was treating and transporting several individuals with burn injuries. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called in and determined there was no foul play. The fire was a result of gasoline being mistaken for diesel fuel that was poured on a fire causing an immediate incendiary reaction.

Sgt Jeff Floyd and Sgt Wyatt Garvin, Deputies Colby Thompson and Dylan Kurtz were working the St George area Friday and Saturday nights resulting in the arrests of several individuals.

Sgt Floyd made an arrest on Phillip Larry for possession of meth, operating a motorbike on the highway without a helmet and driving while his license suspended.

Sgt Garvin made an arrest on an individual for driving while license suspended and speeding.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law!

Corrections Officer Marvin Webb took community service workers out on Saturday morning and picked up 13 bags of trash, 2 televisions and 1 fan from Highway 40 down to Camp Pinckney landing. We gotta do better with our trash folks!

We are receiving a lot of calls concerning possible scams on cell phones and emails! Please remember this one thing in determining the validity of such messages: If they want you to send any money to them for you to receive their rewards-it’s a scam.

If you receive a threat of arrest for not paying an alleged fine for any infraction you know nothing about-it’s a scam!! If you receive a threat from some alleged law enforcement agency saying you failed to report for jury duty and you must send them money-it’s a scam!

PLEASE call me at 912-276-4854 or call my office at 912-496-7321 and ask for me or Major Kenny Jones and we’ll check in to the information you received! NEVER send anyone any money, checks or cash cards to these hooligans!!!

Several of our citizens have been scammed over the last few years by unscrupulous criminal actors to the tune of up to $4,500. DON’T send them anything! Call me right away!! Let us protect you! If it’s legit, we’ll verify it and guide you to the proper people!!

Example of a recent scam:

“CRITICAL NOTICE: Toll Fee Payment Is

Due

This is a key reminder that the toll fee for your vehicle is due by March 31, 2025.

Failure to make timely payment may result in vehicle registration suspension, significant penalties, and harmful impacts on your credit rating.

Please take immediate action to avoid these serious complications.”

Thank you all and take the time to protect yourselves by calling us!!!

Sheriff Robert Phillips

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AQZaE9RQc/

John Ian Drawdy was arrested

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Waycross Police

ontorSedsp0rci M1mf c61tu0hM46772481au6f099c4 Ama9a a3:ilf0m  · 

Please call our Community Automated Tip (C.A.T.) Line at (912) 287-2924 if you have information concerning criminal activity and want to remain anonymous. Be our partner in fighting crime.

All reactions:

6868