Sheriff's Office to Host Mounted Patrol Barn Open House

NEWS RELEASE 20-015 - FEBRUARY 3, 2020 
Mounted Barn Open House Flyer FINAL

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to welcome the community to an open house event at the agency’s new Mounted Patrol barn, located along Rustic Road in Nokomis.
 
Construction on the new metal barn began in February 2019 and is designed to withstand winds of up to 150 miles per hour, equivalent to a category 3 hurricane. The facility includes workspace for up to eight deputies, an industrial-grade washer and dryer, and breakroom. There are currently seven horses assigned to the Mounted Patrol Unit, six riders, and one barn technician. In 2019, the unit performed 3,448 hours on horseback, attended 370 hours of training, and received support through volunteers who donated 350 hours of their time. While the new facility will serve as the unit’s main workspace, the old pole barn will remain intact and allow for other horses to be housed during regional training events and competitions.
 
On Wednesday, February 26, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol Unit will debut the facility, which is located just west of the original pole barn, at 3445 Rustic Road. Community members are invited to meet and greet the entire unit, tour the new barn, and enjoy light refreshments. 
 
“We are so excited to debut this beautiful new facility to the Sarasota County community,” commented Sheriff Tom Knight. “Our Mounted Patrol Unit is one of the most unique and frequently utilized parts of the sheriff’s office and for good reasons. From proactive patrol during the busy holiday season to traffic enforcement by horseback, and community events throughout the year, the unit does a great job educating and connecting with the citizens we serve. It is my pleasure to recognize their hard work on this special day.”
 
To RSVP to the mounted patrol barn open house, please email info@sarasotasheriff.org or contact the agency’s Community Affairs Office at 941.861.4005.