Fatal crash on Longboat Key under investigation

The Sarasota Police Department is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that happened on Longboat Key on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at approximately 6 p.m. The Sarasota Police Department has a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Longboat Key to assist with serious or fatal crashes.

12/19/2019 9:02 AM

Sarasota Police Conducting Death Investigation

Sarasota Police officers are conducting a death investigation. This afternoon, Saturday, December 7, 2019, at approximately 1:45 p.m., a body of an adult male, believed to be in his 40’s, was found by boaters in the water several hundred yards off the Sarasota Yacht Club.

12/07/2019 5:14 PM

Shop with a Cop set for Friday, December 13, 2019 – Donations still being accepted

The Sarasota Housing Authority, Sarasota Police Department, Target and Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) are partnering for the eighth year to provide 100 underprivileged children with a unique holiday experience in Sarasota.

12/06/2019 8:16 AM

Sarasota man arrested in death of girlfriend & unborn baby

Casey Swart, 23, of Sarasota, has been arrested and is facing one count of manslaughter, and one count of manslaughter/killing of an unborn child by injury to mother in connection to the death of his girlfriend and their unborn baby.

12/04/2019 11:29 AM

Sarasota man arrested and charged with two counts of burglary

Andrew D. Bailey, 28, of Sarasota, has been arrested and is facing two (2) counts of burglary of a structure following two rooftop burglaries in the City of Sarasota between November 29, 2019 and December 1, 2019.

12/03/2019 2:18 PM

Road Closures for Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade – Saturday, December 7, 2019

The 24th annual Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 7 p.m. The parade will begin at Main Street and U.S. 301 in downtown Sarasota. The parade will end at J.D. Hamel Park at Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue.

12/03/2019 11:12 AM

Sarasota Police Reminding Citizens of Phone Scams

The Sarasota Police Department wants to remind citizens about a phone scam that is happening where a caller claims to be a member of the Sarasota Police Department soliciting for donations. The caller is also claiming that they have a warrant for the person who answered the phone.

12/02/2019 8:35 AM

Residents invited to Lift Station 87 community outreach meeting Dec. 5

Residents are invited to learn about the next phase of Lift Station 87 construction at a community outreach meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Fire Station #2, 2070 Waldemere St., in Sarasota.

11/25/2019 9:26 AM

Sarasota Police Reminder Drivers and Passengers: Buckle Up – Every Trip, Every Time

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest seasons for America’s roads. With millions of drivers traveling near and far for Thanksgiving dinner, it’s more important than ever to stress the importance of seat belt safety.

11/22/2019 8:01 AM

Sarasota Police Investigating Shooting

Sarasota Police Officers are investigating a shooting that happened just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2019, near the area of 30th Street and North Washington Boulevard (US 301). When Officers arrived, they found one person with non-life-threatening injuries.

11/21/2019 2:19 PM

Duo arrested for burglaries; Stolen bulldog recovered & reunited with owner in California

Tracie Eileen Defee, 52, of California, and Michael Paine, 48, of Sarasota, have been arrested and are facing multiple felony charges following a burglary spree in the Lido Key area of the city of Sarasota in October 2019. A bulldog, named Maggie, was also with the duo during the burglaries.

11/21/2019 8:39 AM

Payne Park skate park now free to public

Admission to the skate park at Payne Park is now free of charge to the public, effective Tuesday, Nov. 19.

11/19/2019 3:10 PM

Brookside Middle School Teacher Arrested for Lewd & Lascivious Conduct

Maxwell Guss, 34, of Bradenton, was arrested on Monday afternoon on two (2) counts of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct by a Person Over 18. Guss has been on administrative leave from Brookside Middle School where he was a business teacher. Detectives believe there may be additional victims.

11/18/2019 1:40 PM

Vehicle crashes into home overnight – No injuries, minor damage to home, driver arrested

Lousner Silencieux, 37, of Sarasota has been arrested and is facing multiple charges following a hit and run crash where a vehicle hit a home in the 1400 block of Myrtle Street in Sarasota Thursday night.

11/15/2019 8:29 AM

Citizens’ Academy returns for 2020

City of Sarasota residents, property owners and business owners interested in learning more about their local government are encouraged to register and participate in the upcoming Citizens’ Academy, an interactive, eight-week educational course. Most sessions will be held Thursday evenings from 5:30

11/14/2019 9:22 AM

Payne Park skate park to temporarily close beginning Nov. 15

The skate park at Payne Park will be temporarily closed beginning Friday, Nov. 15, as the City plans for future operations of the park.

11/13/2019 11:31 AM

Teenager arrested in connection to Sunday night shooting

Darion Lee, 16, of Sarasota, has been arrested and is facing two charges of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, felony charges, in connection to a shooting that happened Sunday, November 10, 2019 near the intersection of Carver Street and Orange Avenue in the City of Sarasota.

11/13/2019 9:20 AM

Veterans Day Parade set for Monday, Nov. 11

The City of Sarasota, in conjunction with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, will host its annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11.

11/06/2019 2:54 PM

City administrative offices closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day

11/05/2019 8:45 AM

Sarasota Police Honored with IACP Chief David Cameron Leadership in Environmental Crimes Award

Last week, Chief Bernadette DiPino traveled to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) training conference in Chicago. While attending the conference, Sarasota Police Department Legal Advisor Joe Polzak accepted the IACP Chief David Cameron Leadership in Environmental Crimes Award.

11/05/2019 8:09 AM