Pinellas barrier islands to reopen to public with additional patrols

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The bridges to Pinellas County’s barrier islands are set to reopen to the public late Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re trying to get people back out here as quickly as we can,” Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said.

According to the sheriff, there are still areas without power, water, and sewer.

“There’s no reason for anyone to be out here unless you live here or have a business that you’re trying to get up and running. There’s no place for people that are coming out here that want to do bad things.”

Gualtieri said the biggest concern for law enforcement is looting.

“We’ve already made some arrests out here. We’ve seen people who have come out here trying to look, we’re locking them up and putting them in jail,” Gualtieri said.

To deter crooks, they’re adding 60 marked and unmarked deputies on the barrier islands. PCSO is concentrating the patrols from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the next week.

“For the residents, know that we’re here to protect you. For the people that want to come out here and do bad things, know we’re going to put you in jail,” Gualtieri said.

Bridges to the barrier islands are scheduled to reopen at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

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