Blast on Bowdoin

All quiet during the day at 451 Bowdoin Circle

There were fireworks of a different kind this past July 4th in our Lido Shores neighborhood. Those of you here over the holiday surely heard it, or may have heard about it. Either way, what happened has become a recurring story, one that is unpleasant at best for nearby neighbors. And one that Board President Bob Garvin would like to shine some light on. Here’s Bob’s take:

____________________

Late night parties at 451 Bowdoin Circle have a character all their own. The place is owned by Kristen Rocks, address somewhere else on Lido Key, and is inhabited by her son Steve, about 18 years of age. On July 5 at 12:30 am, he gave his name to the police as Anthony Biscaglia, and his age as 17. Do we know for sure that Steve is her son, or his age?

We know nothing for sure. But we do know that loud music emanates from 451 Bowdoin Circle, very loud music, sometimes at one in the morning. We know that because we live on Westway Drive, way across John Ringling Parkway, and can hear the music. So can our neighbors on Westway Drive. 

We’ve called the cops, and pretty soon the music stops. The Sarasota Police log shows that the cops have been called to the house five times this year for noise complaints, 17 times in the last five years; many more calls than the police expect from a normal household. 

People who live across from 451 Bowdoin Circle hear the music too. They also suffer in other ways from the major parties at that house — broken light fixtures on their wall from parkers or partiers, broken For Rent signs, beer bottles all over the driveway and street, and of course the ever present loud noise.

On the 4th of July at 8:40 pm, an ambulance arrived at 451 Bowdoin Circle. A young woman had passed out, probably drunk and probably under legal drinking age. Police officers also responded. They called parents to collect other young people from the party and take them home. 

We’re told that Steve rented a room of the house to an intern at Mote Marine. Later, at 1 am that morning, she allegedly called 911 because, she said, a man in the house had gone berserk, and was smashing up furniture.  

The police again came, along with an ambulance. Witnesses say it took several officers and paramedics to restrain the man and strap him onto the gurney to haul him away, with a towel wrapped around his head to quiet his ranting. Blood was everywhere.

Later that night, presumably for thanks, a person unknown smashed the windows of the intern’s car.

Steve doesn’t seem to change his ways.  Neighbors and the police have talked to Kristen Rocks — and so far, nothing changes.  This has gone from private annoyance to public nuisance; certainly as serious as a few homeless people smoking cigarettes at Five Point Park. 

Underage drinking is a crime. What recourse do we have as neighbors? It may be time to seek legal redress. It is also time for the city to take action as it has with the homeless.

~ Bob Garvin

____________________

According to Bob, the facts have been verified by the Sarasota Police Department.  

Diane Desenberg has also done some investigating. Diane says: 

"As much as I don't like the inconsideration for neighbors, I was even more aghast at what happened to the Mote intern. So, I contacted the Mote intern coordinator to make sure they know that they should avoid placing Mote interns at this house. I did get an immediate response."  ~ Diane

"This property is not on Mote's housing list. Sometimes interns find places on their own and, unfortunately, this one turned out to be a poor choice. I found the intern a new place to stay within two days of the incident..."  ~ Mote Intern Coordinator

Good news. But we still need to address the noise and nuisance factor. Lido Shore’s by-laws provide a mechanism for terminating membership. This house owner, however, is not a member of the association. 

Lisa Kates says let's get the police more involved, or at least more accountable:

"Here is something I simply do not understand…if this young man is under 21 and there have been problems with underage drinking, that included the police, then his mother is legally culpable for his actions. The police should be taking some action here as well as the neighborhood. The complaints have been filed. I'd look into the police's responsibility in this problem.  ~ Lisa

And Anne Essner says:

"Clearly there's no ramification to the owner's LSPOA membership, as she [Kristen Rocks] isn't one. However, I think we should support one another in fighting this; as one who has not been a victim of this noisy crowd, I'd like to help — I just don't know how to do so."  ~ Anne

Bottom line: The purpose of this post is to get the word out to all of our membership that despite contact with the police, the situation at 451 Bowdoin Circle persists. This is hopefully a first step toward coming up with a permanent solution. We'd like your thoughts, comments and suggestions for turning down the noise by turning up the heat on those responsible. ~ BT