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Beach Bob’s brouhaha: Swimsuit behind lawsuit

After successfully fighting a citation for his skimpy Speedo, perennial sunbather is considering a different suit — one against the Lee Sheriff’s Office

For the last 15 years, "Beach Bob" Hezzelwood has taken to the beach to relax and read in the sun.  Until that is, he received a trespass warning ticket telling him never to return to Bonita Beach by a Lee County Sheriff Deputy.  Problem was, Hezzlewood was in Collier County and spent $4,000 of his own money to have the ticket dismissed in court.

MICHEL FORTIER / Daily News

For the last 15 years, "Beach Bob" Hezzelwood has taken to the beach to relax and read in the sun. Until that is, he received a trespass warning ticket telling him never to return to Bonita Beach by a Lee County Sheriff Deputy. Problem was, Hezzlewood was in Collier County and spent $4,000 of his own money to have the ticket dismissed in court.

If it's a sunny day on Bonita Beach, Bob Hezzlewood can usually be found sunning himself, dressed in a speedo.  Not very unusual if you're from a European country.

MICHEL FORTIER / Daily News

If it's a sunny day on Bonita Beach, Bob Hezzlewood can usually be found sunning himself, dressed in a speedo. Not very unusual if you're from a European country.

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Beach Bob likes to sunbathe in a Speedo.

Nearly every cloudless morning for more than 10 years, he’s wheeled his tattered lounger down to the same spot, which he says is due west of where the boardwalk opens onto the sand at Bonita Beach, and sets up camp for the day.

And so his retirement was going. Sun-drenched, uneventful. Until one day a Lee County Sheriff’s deputy stopped by and wrote him a warning for trespassing.

The reason?

“Exposed scrotum,” the notice read. “Never return to Bonita Beach Main Access.”

But it turns out that, belied by his self-proclaimed “super-lazy” lifestyle, Beach Bob (more properly known as Robert Hezzelwood, 61, retired court reporter and Bonita Springs resident of 16 years) is a heckuva fighter. Not the sort to let even a warning of a misdemeanor charge go unchallenged.

Not when it comes to his blue Speedo.

Not when he says he was falsely accused.

Eventually, he got the trespass warning thrown out. It wasn’t easy. He hired a lawyer, studied maps of the Collier-Lee county line, trotted some of the other beach regulars up to Fort Myers to testify on his behalf. They reported the patch of sand he claims every day is in fact south of the Lee border, so Deputy William Dunaske had no business patrolling there anyway.

They said Hezzelwood never rolls in the sides of his Speedo like the deputy alleged.

Then, even winning in court wasn’t enough.

Eighteen months after he received the trespass warning, and about a year after a judge threw it out, Hezzelwood now says he’s planning to sue the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. He claims his civil rights were violated.

“This whole thing could have been just nipped right in the bud early on,” Hezzelwood said, if Sheriff Mike Scott had responded to him by saying, “‘Yeah, our guy blew it, we apologize.’”

Scott says his office looked into Hezzelwood’s allegations that Dunaske had lied about the exposed scrotum and found in favor of the deputy, declining to launch an investigation.

That didn’t satisfy Hezzelwood. “My concern is, if that can happen to me, “ he said, “and the sheriff stonewalls me, I don’t think I’m that unique. And anybody is at risk.”

This story begins in 2005. Hezzelwood, who says he has suffered insomnia because of the stress, meticulously catalogues the relevant dates and records of his correspondence in the case. According to Beach Bob, his first run-in with Dunaske was on July 25 — the deputy approached his lounger and told him to unroll the Speedo.

“I have occasionally rolled the top of the Speedo so that the (straps) are a little narrow,” Hezzelwood explained. But he insists there’s nothing X-rated about it: “I’m an old, retired fart who likes sitting on the beach. I was a little embarrassed.”

He says he challenged the deputy, believing they were positioned south of the Lee border and out of his jurisdiction. Soon after, Hezzelwood says, he marched off to the Sheriff’s Office to complain to a supervisor.

To David Mourick, the attorney who represented Hezzelwood in his fight over the warning, what happened next was a matter of prurience. “It was just a Barney Fife that thought it just wasn’t proper, (Hezzelwood) wearing that bathing suit.” For his part, Hezzelwood says it was retaliation.

More than a year later, on October 31, 2006, Dunaske approached Hezzelwood again on the beach.

Out came the trespass notice.

“The first couple (verbal) warnings didn’t obviously make an impression on him,” Dunaske, who says he’d in fact told Hezzelwood multiple times before not to expose his genitals, said in an interview. “He didn’t attempt to cover up or anything. He said he just wanted to get the most sun he could get.”

Legally, Mourick says, a trespass has to be based on somebody’s complaint. Dunaske said several people complained to him about Hezzelwood’s bathing suit — he told the attorneys in his deposition that the suit was rolled in so much that part of Hezzelwood’s penis poked out.

When Maurick pressed him to say who precisely complained, he said they were vacationers who didn’t want to identify themselves.

In Hezzelwood’s eyes, these are all manifestations of Dunaske’s lies. But the deputy says so many people were bothered by the skimpy suit that he was once cheered by beach-goers for telling Hezzelwood to cover himself.

As for the county line, Dunaske points out that as a contract deputy for the city of Bonita Springs, he knew precisely where he was when he wrote the warning. “I have no doubt I was in Lee County, and Mr. Hezzelwood was in Lee County. But I respect the judge’s” decision, he said.

It was, indeed, the jurisdictional issue that the judge cited in tossing out the warning. Not only did Hezzelwood’s beach friends place him south of the county line, but Hezzelwood claims a deputy-trainee who was with Dunaske that day later said the same.

“I think that’s what the judge chose to go with because it was easiest,” Mourick said.

He wondered why Dunaske didn’t simply arrest Hezzelwood on an indecent exposure charge, if that was the offense underlying the trespass. “It’d be like trespassing someone from a public highway because they’re driving drunk. You arrest them for driving drunk.”

In his deposition, Dunaske said his supervisors told him to pursue the trespass route in such cases.

Now, he’s a detective assigned to the Central District. In his more than 10 years in law enforcement, he said Hezzelwood’s case doesn’t particularly stand out.

“It wasn’t the crime of the century,” he said. “I was doing my job and saw an infraction that I thought bothered the people who were legitimately enjoying the beach.”

But Hezzelwood says the incident mattered a great deal to him.

“It frightens me and embarrasses me to go public with it. But by the same token, I don’t know what else to do,” he said. “I’m a civilian out here who’s been picked on by a little bully deputy and that’s wrong. It’s just wrong.”

“It was a good case in that it showed these deputies can’t just go in there and trespass people just because they don’t like what they’re wearing,” Mourick said.

He asked the reporter if she’d ever seen Hezzelwood in his Speedo. “I don’t find it attractive,” Mourick said, “but I think if he wants to look ridiculous he can go ahead and do it.”

Comments

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LMAO, uhh, can we say single, lonley, and gay

#1 Posted by ncb1978 on May 7, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He should have tased the old lizard. ;}

#2 Posted by Ry42 on May 7, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As long as the ping-pong balls and paddle were covered, he was legal. End of story. Good for Bob for standing up to a Deputy who is obviously jealous.

#3 Posted by Midwesterner on May 7, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Single, lonely and gay."

#4 Posted by babbas on May 8, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Walking Melanoma cadaver. Oh yea. Single, Lonely, smelly and Gay

#5 Posted by Stugots on May 8, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i would imagine the Deputy was responding to a complaint by someone offended by the banana sling. There are many.

#6 Posted by oldcop007 on May 8, 2008 at 1:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What's obscene here, is that he had to spend $4,000 of his money to get the ticket dismissed.

He just wants his $4,000 back for a inaccurate citation.

#7 Posted by volochine on May 8, 2008 at 1:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I, too agree with volochine. He should have his $4,000 back and his rights have been violated. As far as people complaining, watch the ocean, not Bob. He is not the attraction on the beach.

#8 Posted by Giuseppe on May 8, 2008 at 5:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Beach Bob is the perfect example of the epidemic of not acknowledging how your actions affects others. We see it every day from car drivers, to grocery check out lines, to movie theaters, to smokers leaving butts on the beach.

And, now, we have exhibitionist Bob's but on the beach. Yuk. I've seen these thongs ( or rolled up speedos) that I usually dismiss as European weird-ohs that will be sunburned and gone in a couple of days. But to have this egomaniac idiot on a public beach everyday is more then what a normal person needs to put up with.

Bob, you get no sympathy from me. Sun bath in your backyard!

#9 Posted by cornandbeans on May 8, 2008 at 5:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'd be more worried about getting skin cancer than having your junk hang out at the beach old man...

#10 Posted by techie on May 8, 2008 at 6:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If Bob did everything he was supposed to have done he would have been arrested, not given a ticket.

Someone isn't telling the truth, and I don't think it's Bob.

#11 Posted by BlackCat on May 8, 2008 at 6:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

At least he wasn't wearing a thong!
Get a life, cops!

#12 Posted by greathornedlizard on May 8, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like the cops "Gaydar Gun" found a speedo in violation of penal code h8u2-crgr8ps....

#13 Posted by JunkYardDog on May 8, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't understand people's fear of speedos. US is really becoming a fundamentalist country! Good graciousness, I don't think that the old guy has something more, or different, than any other male on this planet. Besides, I find very annoying the high-school tone of certain comments. It seems that when speedos are involved everybody becomes a retarded teenager: "Look, speedos! Lonely, smelly, gay!"
Guys, Grow up!

#14 Posted by Monthofsundays on May 8, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Same reason why old ladies go bra-less. It pulls all the wrinkles out of their face!

#15 Posted by Flacrkr on May 8, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bob's gotten more than his "alloted" 15 minutes of fame these past several years!

#16 Posted by biomanogt on May 8, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"What's obscene here, is that he had to spend $4,000 of his money to get the ticket dismissed.

He just wants his $4,000 back for a inaccurate citation."

The truly obscene thing is that this will waste even more tax payer dollars to go into the courts once again when he sues.

#17 Posted by floridasteel on May 8, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am nauseous, have insomnia and will never be the same after that visual.

#18 Posted by flahill on May 8, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There is a man on Marco who wears a bronze speedo. From a distance, you'd think he was naked. Combined with the fact that he looks like he's ready to give birth to quints, it is not a pretty sight. I have nothing against people wearing speedos so long as the wearer is in shape. The same goes for string bikinis.

#19 Posted by marcoislandgal on May 8, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I just had an occasion to visit family that came down from Philadelphia and were staying at the National Hotel on South Beach. Beach Bob's attire is the uniform of the day there, and woman are usually top-less. It didn't seem to bother anyone...the beach was packed.

Bonita/Collier is not South Beach however, given the amount of European vacationers and the money they spend, we want to attract as many as we can. I think that some of these people are going to "push the fringe" of what is acceptable attire for a family beach. Beach Bob has been here for a long time, obviously keeps to himself and does not flaunt his partial nudity. I'm in agreement that the deputy made Bob a target, and did so unfairly. He could have used a more professional decorum in dealing with this situation, and he forced his boss (Sheriff Scott)to do what all cops do - back-up their own. I speak here as an expert...I'm a retired LEO.

I guess he got his "promotion" to detective to get him off the beach and end the controversy. The blogs written here are in serious bad taste...there is no reason to slander this man, nor make prejudiced gay remarks, regardless of his choice on how to live his life - where in this article did it mention if he is gay or straight? Once again I'm disappointed by the low class, low life remarks from a few that affect the many...your negative blogs are not a good example of being good neighbors in the neighborhood.

#20 Posted by MarcoRobert on May 8, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"as a contract deputy"

says it all....

#21 Posted by beachrunner on May 8, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SXULDV8?

Bob?
or
The Deputy?

#22 Posted by bicoastal on May 8, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wow, it takes balls to file a lawsuit like that. Hopefully the penal system will be fair

#23 Posted by goodgrief on May 8, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If it was an old or young woman in a string bikini would the deputy have given her a ticket?? I doubt!! Even if she should NOT be wearing the string bikini. If people want to look ridicious in a bathing suit that's there right. Just look away!

#24 Posted by martinigal on May 8, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Not the type of picture you wanna see on the front page, when your about to have your bacon and two eggs! The story was a little cheesy, but the picture was way to much!!!

#25 Posted by Journeyman on May 8, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This story is just "Ball's Out"

#26 Posted by BignRich on May 8, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't NDN do a full page story on this guy last year ( Neapolitan Section) and how he spends 10 hours/day on the beach and smokes cigarette after cigarette?

#27 Posted by biomanogt on May 8, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Seriously, roll down the sides of the Speedo, what sides? There's barely anything there, if he wants to tan his junk he ought to pay to go to a tanning booth and do it in private. Nobody wants to see old fart scrotum hanging out. Must be a slow news day to put this on the front page anyway. Way to go NDN!

#28 Posted by amused on May 8, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

#29 Posted by BignRich on May 8, 2008 at 11:31 a.m.

...and with BignRich comment we reached the bottom and started digging...
I was wrong, not highschool level: kindergarden. The "man who loves other men" word sealed the deal.

#30 Posted by Monthofsundays on May 8, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like MR. MEAT should have had boxers on.

#31 Posted by Garfield on May 8, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Of course, the guy walking by Scrotum Bob in the photo looks like he ran out of the house in his underwear. Smoking on the beach (cigarette smoking) is the least of our worries when these guys are on the loose.

#32 Posted by BobbyBacala on May 8, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The deputy should have just cited him for indecent exposure if that was the crime he committed. This type of bungling, inept police work costs the community so much.

#33 Posted by doodlebug on May 8, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He should be glad he wasn’t arrested. Bob leave it alone. Spending $4k so you can go to the same beach end is a tad ridiculous, considering we have a couple hundred beach ends to choose from in Collier and Lee counties. Not that I want you to take your freak show on the road. Oh and Bob you’re the reason I can’t take my kids to the beach! I just don’t feel like explaining why that old suitcase on his lounger has his marble bag hanging out to a 4 and 6 year old. Bob if you want to get sun on the old twig and berries keep in the back yard, sorry I forgot your condo association would probably have you arrested and evicted. LCSO put an undercover officer on that beach end, $50 says Bob is exposing himself to older men every time his “gaydar” goes off.

#34 Posted by thehappiestplaceonearth on May 8, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

umm, excuse me your balls are showing.

#35 Posted by orgflcrkr on May 8, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually Monthofsundays "man who loves other men" is a British colloquialism for cigarette! No matter how you look at BignRichs statement it was funny! I personally don't think speedo's on any man is something to look at...Give me a pair of board shorts any day. Why show the gr8p's anyway?

I was at Verdado Beach access working on a condo next store and this old (70+) guy in a speedo was fondling himself under the shower while people walked by....Nasty pervs....like post #27 said,go to the tanning booth and play with yourself at home.

#36 Posted by JunkYardDog on May 8, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Two things, thank goodness he wasn't a 300 pound german guy.

And lucky for him he didn't try this at the Pelican Bay beach, he would have been shot there.

#37 Posted by RockfordGrad on May 8, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They will have to start acting like regular people over there at Pelican Bay beach just as soon as we get the new Pier at Pelican Bay built for the benefit of the youth of Collier County!

#38 Posted by greathornedlizard on May 8, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Leave the guy alone and let him tan in peace! He isn't harming anyone! He is in retirement and trying to enjoy life! If you don't like it, don't look...simple as that! Honestly, people in FL have nothing else to do with their time then to worry about other people's lives! We live in a beautiful state guys, thats why lots retire here. Hence the old bodies on the beach! But I mean do you really think they care what people think of them at this age? Highly unlikely. Just leave him alone!

#39 Posted by sweetpea121 on May 8, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ew he needs to put his grapes back where they belong..*barf*

#40 Posted by xxkandykoatedxx on May 8, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

xxkandy...

his grapes aren't bothering anyone. lol stop staring at them!

#41 Posted by sweetpea121 on May 8, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

grape smugglers are for use in your own back yard. For Gods sake the beach already looks like the land of the walking dead, cover up!

#42 Posted by trehuger on May 8, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well said trehuger! meatBALLS for din din anyone?

#43 Posted by xxkandykoatedxx on May 8, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All this talk about grapes and meatballs has me hungry...lol

#44 Posted by sweetpea121 on May 8, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

leather anyone? why does he have to be gay? I don't get that part?

#45 Posted by NaplesTeacher on May 8, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lee Sheriff deputy booked me in 2007 using a regulation that was ruled unconstitutional in 2003.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/a...

Booking took 11 hours before I was released at 2-am after a cash bond was paid.

District Attorney was aware the law was unconstitutional but choose to wait 90 days before deciding NOT to prosecute.

The solution includes electing LEGISLATORS who will vote to REMOVE laws that create unintended consequences from non-violent victim-less crimes.

While other big states find ways to reduce prison population and crime at the same time, Florida continues to stuff its prisons, DESTROY people's lives, and WASTE taxes.

Charlie Green, Lee County Clerk of Court, recognizes the huge cost to taxpayers and loss of personal liberties from unintended consequences of non-violent victim-less crimes.

Sheriff budget INCREASED 245%
2001- $66,755,000 .... 2007- $163,000,000

#46 Posted by jacktanner on May 8, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ol' Bob and the boys went down to the beach,
for a little reading and sun.
He pulled out a chair and combed back his hair,
his work life was over and done.
In the spot that he claimed it was only his aim,
to kick back and live out his dream.
But Denaske came by with a gleam in his eye,
at the urge of the tourists that scream.
You can't air out your junk you old geriatric punk,
for all the world to see.
We don't want to know and you surely can't show,
what your maker has given for free.
So with a stroke of the pen and a summons for when,
you'll answer to Scott the big cheif.

#47 Posted by cupcake on May 8, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I couldnt help it.

#48 Posted by cupcake on May 8, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ol' Bob by himself went down to the beach,
for a little reading and sun.
He pulled out a chair and combed back his hair,
his work life was over and done.
In the spot that he claimed it was only his aim,
to kick back and live out his dream.
But De'nasty came by a gleam in his eye,
hoping to get some action.
You can't air out your junk you old geriatric punk, unless I get a fraction.
We don't want to know and you surely can't show,
What De'nasty would like for free.
So with a stroke of the pen and a summons to appear, De'nasty went back to his beer.

#49 Posted by 676 on May 8, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My apologies to cupcake, all poets and English teachers.

#50 Posted by 676 on May 8, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Leave the old guy alone.

If he's been tanning the raisins for 10 years and there has been no complaints of him exposing himself to anyone, I doubt he is.

I bet he's quite the sight walking down to the water pulling his chair in that little banana-sling though......wow.

#51 Posted by Native on May 8, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cupcake THAT was funny!! pretty darn good too

#52 Posted by mikesgirl on May 8, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There should be a roped off allocated area for Bob and his european friends to "hang" out.

Just not near me... :-)

#53 Posted by Opinionated on May 8, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go Beach Bob!
Pablo is rooting for you!
On a more serious note: Beach Bob has been a monument at that same exact spot for as long as his friend Lucy or anyone else can remember.
People handily move away from the offensive smell of a rotting fish carcass, so rather than trying to impose their puritanical views upon the rest of us, I imagine that they should do the same if offended by a Speedo-clad sun-worshipper. Just move down the beach and sit next to a cigar-puffing beer-swilling overweight cracker who sets a fine example of a family man.
I hope the judge agrees when he decides on Beach Bobs settlement.
Now that the construction industry is going down the drain the last thing we need is to tell our German and French visitors that they're going to be arrested for wearing a speedo. America as you might know is the only place where men wear long skirt-looking accoutrements to keep their thighs milky white.
Blame it on the surfers who don't want to chaff.
JUST HOPE THAT THE OLYMPICS DON'T GET CENSORED OFF THE AIR BY THE LOCAL TV STATIONS BECAUSE OF SPEEDOS!!!

#54 Posted by Naplestango on May 8, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

676...you're a poet and you didn't know it! I was actually hoping for a little more insight from your days ' in blue' on this injustice. He should have been booked in for indecent exposure if the deputy was so concerned for the violation.

Since I blogged in this morning I'm even more dismayed at the gay bashing and senior bashing in these 55 or more blogs. We have a very prejudiced group that reads the NDN on-line, but to think of those that don't even read the paper everyday I'm really more frightened!

#55 Posted by MarcoRobert on May 8, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Response from Beach Bob:

First, a more appropriate headline for the story might have been "Deputy Lies Under Oath, Gets Promoted; Sheriff Scott Plays Ostrich." THAT'S the real story here and the major basis for my possible lawsuit. Deputies are sworn to tell the truth, and when one of them violates that oath, dishonoring the uniform, and the sheriff does nothing about it, that sets an appalling example for other deputies and endangers the law-abiding public, the people the deputies are sworn to protect and serve, as well as damaging the reputations of the deputies who actually honor that oath (I hope that's the vast majority of them).

Second, thanks to MarcoRobert (Posts #20 and 55), to JackTanner (#46) and to Naplestango (#54) for some of the few reasonably mature comments here (not to leave out the eleven others I noted as of about eight p.m.Thursday evening).

Third, this article was the result of a supportive email I sent to Phil Lewis after he wrote a column (March 16, 2008) about a negative interaction he had with Sheriff Scott.

Fourth, contrary to the imaginative posts of several people here, I have no interest whatsoever in tanning my genitals and have NEVER worn any of my swimsuits (speedo-style or otherwise) in any way that has ever exposed any portion of them, contrary to Deputy Dunaske's equally imaginative fabrications.

Fifth, the issue of speedo-style suits is a matter of personal choice, not of law or of law enforcement, and all are welcome to their own opinions, however maturely or immaturely they may be expressed here or elsewhere.

Sixth, as for the "single, lonely and gay" post(s), yes to the first, rarely to the second and no to the third.

Seventh, for anyone who ever seeks to make a
complaint about a deputy's behavior, I'd suggest that you get something in writing acknowledging its receipt; when it comes to deposition time, a verbal complaint can be "forgotten" by the officer who received it.

And finally, here's a link to an article about the importance of truthfulness by law enforcement personnel. I'd suggest readers pay particular attention to the last four paragraphs.
http://www.clearwaterpolice.org/artic...

#56 Posted by beachbob on May 8, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lee County cops are like mafiosos these days. There is a thug culture in the agency. The Ferrante brothers are calling the shots.

#57 Posted by snicksnack on May 8, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Since when is rudeness a crime?

#58 Posted by swflstickers on May 8, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If what snicksnack said in Post #57 is at all true, that is frightening.

That post came in while I was seeking a copy of Sheriff Don Hunter's superb guest commentary in the May 10, 2007 issue of the NDN (Page 5E). I don't have a link readily avaiable, but I'd recommend that, as well.

Bob "Beach Bob" Hezzelwood

#59 Posted by beachbob on May 8, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ignore that last commment - I posted it to the wrong story. Too many margaritas at Iguana Mia, obviously.

#60 Posted by swflstickers on May 8, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Charlie Green, Lee County Clerk of Court, recognizes the huge cost to taxpayers and loss of personal liberties from unintended consequences of non-violent victim-less crimes.>>

Speaking of Charlie Green, I emailed his office four times in recent weeks and have gotten NO response. The first two times were to ask a question about jury duty, the third time was to comment that no one answered the email, and the fourth time was about getting personal info removed from his website.

Makes one wonder why they even have an email address if no one is going to answer it.

#61 Posted by swflstickers on May 8, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bob-

Those of us who know you from the beach know that there's no truth to that charge. Keep fighting!

#62 Posted by swflstickers on May 8, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

old men in speedos should be against the law on public beaches where families and children frequent...why doesn't beach bob go hang out with the other old men perverts his age at one of collier counties weenie parks...

#63 Posted by hunting46555 on May 8, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MarcoRobert, the injustice here is that this man was hassled in any way. I didn't respond as a former cop because the action taken was ludicrous.
beachbob, I was a competitive physique builder (anyone who cares, no, no steroids) until my late 30's. The "Speedo" was the competition uniform.
My guess is the majority of person with a large posteriores that posted negatively are jealous of your tan and lack of body fat. I gave up the Speedo with the competitions, and I'm a couple years younger than you, but I still get a negative comment or two thrown in my direction when I'm on the beach (always suggestions of steroids). Lot's of person with a large posterior, out of shape fools out there.

#64 Posted by 676 on May 8, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Surely law enforcement has more pressing duties than walking the beach trying to glimpse up men's bathing suits. You bloggers accuse Bob of being gay, I am more inclined to put my money on the cop. Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with gay, in fact, if I were a woman, I'd be lesbian. Go Bob! Keep fighting the illegitimates! Go to beach and enjoy cooking yourself! If you ever decide to run for Emperor, you have my vote.

#65 Posted by ZhuZhu on May 8, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know that cop was hot to throw the handcuffs on him and get rough.

People need to come out of the closet in less creative ways.

#66 Posted by BackRoadsWine on May 9, 2008 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bob, keep up the nice work......However, the minute you get a
beer gut, the police will arrest you for impersonating an officer.

Somehow, I think it is highly doubtful.

Be well, young man, be well.

#67 Posted by volochine on May 9, 2008 at 2:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hang in there Bob! We really don't care what you wear and the Gestapo really have better things to do than harrass people for personal style.
Sounds like Denaske just wants to be somebody.

I have a feeling your picture on the front page made more than a few old birds very happy that day.

#68 Posted by cupcake on May 9, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Look at my user name.

Leave this place to the retirees - it doesn't seem like a great place to raise kids. Too much of a generation gap to even bother with it.

He is within his rights (as long as there's no indecent exposure going on). And that, my friends, is why I'm leaving. I too don't feel like trying to explain to my kids why that old man is half naked.

This place without the enjoyment of the beach is pretty much worthless. Oh I know, we could go to Bass Pro Shops and let the kids watch the fish for 5 minutes, pay too much for gas and food, and then come home and sit in the air-conditioning because it's way too hot outside to even think! Another great Saturday in Naples...

#69 Posted by LeavingNaplesAndLovinIt on May 9, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice to see that the more reasonable folks are posting (thanks to swflstickers, 676 and again to MarcoRobert for your posts later last night, and to cupcake for this morning's; and to volochine, if I do develop a bigger gut than I have now, the speedos are history; not being a drinker, it won't be a "beer gut," though; and to BackRoadsWine, I'd agree with your first sentence).

In rereading the article more closely, I'd suggest that the single most telling sentence was this one: "Scott says his office looked into Hezzelwood’s allegations that Dunaske had lied about the exposed scrotum and found in favor of the deputy, declining to launch an investigation." With no investigation, how could he come to that conclusion legitimately?

But to have an investigator simply come to the beach and interview any of the many people who've observed my location and behavior over several years could probably resolve the issue in less than half an hour (as long ss it's not used as an opportunity to intimidate witnesses).

It's rather like asking the head fox to investigate a member of his pack for attacking a henhouse. Impartial? Doubtful ... at least so far.

#70 Posted by beachbob on May 9, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have worked with Dunaske in the past and he is a true work or art! I would be willing to bet that he was just harassing this guy and lied about the exposure. It is an embarrassment that he and his kind are allowed to be a LOE in our area.

#71 Posted by JoeMama on May 9, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Random Thoughts:

Barney Fife is an excellent description of the Deputy.

61 is NOT old, when you get there, if you're lucky, you'll understand.

Cupcake is cool.

Bob is a man doing what he wants to do, he is a lucky guy.

#72 Posted by CarlLeFong on May 9, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Bob. I meant the cop has issues, not you. I hope you sue them into next year.

#73 Posted by BackRoadsWine on May 9, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bill Dunaske - Scrotum Inspector!

#74 Posted by JoeMama on May 9, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe Denaske needs a citation for exposing an A-hole.

#75 Posted by cupcake on May 9, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This place without the enjoyment of the beach is pretty much worthless. Oh I know, we could go to Bass Pro Shops and let the kids watch the fish for 5 minutes, pay too much for gas and food, and then come home and sit in the air-conditioning because it's way too hot outside to even think! Another great Saturday in Naples...>>

Life is what you make it. I see people all over down here leading the exact same lives with their children that people lead in NJ or Kansas or Oregon. They go to work and school, and spend their weekends watching baseball or soccer games and going to church, and in this case, the beach.

Doesn't sound like you're going to be happy anywhere.

#76 Posted by swflstickers on May 9, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Violations of the Florida Penile Code should receive stiff punishment.

#77 Posted by AARGGHHH on May 9, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AARGGHHH I do agree with you. Enforcing the penile code is hard on you but with this problem you just can't lick it by being soft!

#78 Posted by YearRoundResident on May 9, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hasn't this guy already had enough exposure?

#79 Posted by pit_stop on May 9, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is an expose about exposure. Nice tan Bob...er is that the seat from your car?

#80 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on May 9, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A different color speedo might help. It looks like ol' Bob is out there in his bvd's. Give em' hell Bob. Global warming, UV rays and yam bag tan lines be blasteded.

#81 Posted by Carpetbagger on May 9, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bob, i have only seen photos, but i think you look just fine, and a lot better than most. your responses and thoughts are the most mature and literate of all of the posts. may the force be with you!

those other jerks need a life.

#82 Posted by newspup on May 10, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Joemama,wrote: "I have worked with Dunaske in the past and he is a true work or art! I would be willing to bet that he was just harassing this guy and lied about the exposure. It is an embarrassment that he and his kind are allowed to be a LOE in our area."

Your a real piece of work if you truely are LEO and a co-worker of Dunaske's. To call him a liar, and to say he would harass a law abiding citizen. Your crazy! I really have worked with Dunaske and know him to be highly ethical and agressive Deputy Sheriff, which you obviously are not. And I am sure of one thing, if you have worked with Dunaske he was there when you needed him, and probable saved your sorry bottom more than once. I could care less about "Beach Bob" he is just a retire exibitionist wasting his own money along with the money of all hard working tax payers. He would not be sitting on the beach the way he is, if no one paid him any mind. If you notice when the forum slows, there's Beach Bob" stiring it up once again.
I hate to tell you this, but if your breaking any law regardless how small, Dunaske is the last Deputy you want showing up. He knows his laws and how to use them. I wish there were a lot more like him. 12-20-11!!!

#83 Posted by RockBottom on May 10, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Beachbob spends his days at the beach because he enjoys the peace and serenity there. He has done so for years without any problems...that is, until the deputy who was obviously authority-happy and using his faux-morality as an excuse for his lack of intelligence and tolerance appeared on the scene to harass and intimidate. I have known Bob for years--his intelligence, honesty and decency are the qulaities I have most noticed...not what style swimsuit he chooses to wear. As is obvious from a large number of posts on this topic, many people have not a fraction of Bob's integrity...least of all the Deputy.

#84 Posted by MSLP on May 12, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Beach Bob made the Drudge Report!

http://www.drudgereport.com/

#85 Posted by CoconutTelegraph on May 12, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So Drudge DOES make things respectable.

#86 Posted by RockfordGrad on May 12, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Lot's of person with a large posterior, out of shape fools out there."

Hey, I don't appreciate being labeled a fool!

#87 Posted by mthalo on May 13, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mthalo, lol.

#88 Posted by 676 on May 13, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, Beach Bob in Bonita Beach also made Jay Leno's monologue tonight (5/14).

#89 Posted by jim09091 on May 15, 2008 at 2:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

People, stop being so concerned about what your kids might see at the beach. It's not going to traumatize them. People walk around practically nude anyway.

#90 Posted by YoMama on May 15, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My question to all those who site "beach Bob" as being single, lonely and gay...would this citation have happened if it were a young attractive woman in a skimpy bikini? Somehow, I dont think anyone would have blinked an eye at that...they would have been to busy drooling.
Bravo to Bob for at least having enough confidence in himself to sport the banana hammock. Maybe we could all learn something from him.
How about the large marges in bikinis?????

#91 Posted by tabatha on May 16, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bob,
we are living in a crazy country. It is actually worth than Arabic ones. Professional swimmers always wearing speedos. You have a great body and most of those people are just jealous. I am sure 99.9 of those who wrought comments are fat. I would prefer to see you on a beach in your speedo swimsuit than 250 lbs old ass in her shorts or tennis skirt (they are walking like this even in Waterside Shopping Center!). Ignore those idiots and sue the Deputy!
Crazy president and crazy country...

#92 Posted by latitude on May 16, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not trying to one-up Beach Bob, but my nightmare has only begun.

I was arrested for a misdemeanor charge of annoying and molesting a minor under the age of 18 (California PC 647.6(a)) for sunning myself wearing an scant, speedo style suit while some kids hunted for crawdads nearby at a local creek/swimming hole.

I'm all for protecting children from sexual abuse. But this law is so vague that it doesn't actually require any molestation, touching, annoyance, exposure, luring, or obscene remarks in order to be charged. Yet, if convicted, I will be required to register as a sex offender.

My lawyer thinks the charge is ludicrous and doesn't seem worried that it will even go to trial, much less result in a conviction. However, for me, the damage is done: local newspapers reported that I was arrested for exposing myself to children (although I wasn't charged with indecent exposure). I have moved out of the county in order to avoid the humiliation.

For those of you who want to joke about the treatment Bob rec'd from local authorities, imagine yourself being publicly humiliated by an overzealous cop. When I saw the crime report in the local paper, I considered consuming approx. 30 Vicodins in a prescription bottle I rec'd following back surgery, hoping never to wake up.

I've gotten past those dark hours, although I wake up every night from "courtroom scenario" nightmares. I am now determined to fight this. When the criminal case is over, I have no doubt I will pursue civil action.

Best of luck in your civil case, Bob.

#93 Posted by villified on May 18, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

First, a quick good luck to "vilified," with hopes that your lawyer is right on his "ludicrous" assessment, but agreed on the damage that can be done by publicity. I haven't experienced much of that live and in person .. yet, only in this virtual realm. The folks who know me at the beach have been most supportive since this article came out, as have all of the few strangers who've introduced themselves.

I should also say that I agree to some extent with several of the print letter writers who decried the photos and the salacious focus in the story itself. I would have thought a story perhaps one fifth as long about my notice of the intent to sue (not only for civil rights violations, but also for what I believe is called "negligent supervision" and some other legal grounds), with perhaps a one-inch head shot, would have sufficed. But mine is not to question reportorial and editorial discretion.

However, after the local TV station got it slightly wrong and that mistake was picked up by a TV station in Orlando, where the headline became "Man Ticketed for Wearing Speedo on Beach," and THAT was then apparently picked up by a nationwide headline clearing house for media types, with the headline "Florida Man Arrested for Wearing Speedo on Beach," I started getting calls from radio stations across the country, most, but not all, from "schlock jock" types, as well as inquiries from the Neil Cavuto and Fox and Friends shows on Fox News, even the Dr. Phil show. I agreed to do a phone interview for the Neil Cavuto show, but got bumped from that for some breaking news; the other two I politely declined. Jay Leno's joke on 5/14 was about that headline, no mention of me by name or nickname, so it's not something I took personally. And a Speedo distributor called and sent me ten freebie Speedos.

I wound up reluctantly doing around fifteen radio interviews on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings last week, trying to set that headline straight and managing for the most part to keep the "schlock jocks" focused on the primary issues (the deputy who lied and Sheriff Mike Scott supporting his actions in spite of the judge's ruling) and off the less important but more salacious portion, although I did learn several new (to me) terms for Speedos and male genitalia. Five or six stations, including the two more intelligent ones (in Denver ... or maybe it was Seattle ... and Boise) followed through on my request that they email me an MP3 of the interviews I did with them.

This week, as some new "hot-button" issues (combined with the abbreviated attention span of the "general public") has apparently made my story yesterday's news (whew!), my phone has been mercifully quiet now for two whole days and I think I'm able to refocus on the primary issues and not so much on the fallout from that mistaken headline. For now, though, it's time for a nap.

#94 Posted by beachbob on May 21, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually, speedo's are quite popular in Europe.
At least, people shouldn't be judged on that.
If there's other issues associated with it then its a diff story but as far as Speedos I dont see any probs with them.

#95 Posted by Elle on May 25, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)



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