As the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office continues to enhance its level of service to Sarasota County residents and visitors, the agency looks to the future with more efficient, streamlined, and productive ways to do business. In 2017, the agency consolidated 60% of its personnel to one central location in Sarasota, conveniently located just off I-75 at Bee Ridge Road. The consolidation was the result of constant review and analysis of personnel and facility needs to best serve in a fiscally conservative and citizen-focused way.

Beginning Monday, March 4, 2019, as a result of continued analysis, evolving technology, and citizen needs, the south county sheriff’s office front desk allocated at S.R. 776 in Venice, will be permanently closed. The closure promotes effectiveness and efficiency by allowing personnel to better accommodate the desires of citizens which often includes making reports by phone; through the agency’s mobile application; and/or having a deputy respond to a residence rather than requiring the citizen to drive to a facility during specific business hours.

Following the final day of front desk operations at the south county facility, the agency’s Sarasota headquarters will become the primary location for citizens to visit a front desk deputy. Citizens are strongly encouraged to engage with their sheriff’s office through their preferred method including use of the agency’s website, general email address (info@sarasotasheriff.org), mobile application on both Android and Apple devices, social media accounts, and non-emergency line (941.316.1201).

“I am very proud of my staff who continues to look for new and smarter ways to serve the public,” commented Sheriff Tom Knight. “If we want to continue to be successful, we have to stay progressive and constantly look for ways to improve. By relieving the south county desk, there will be more boots on the ground and by all accounts, that is something our citizens are always eager to see.”