Roughly 300 animals were confiscated a year ago, when the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office raided Napier’s Log Cabin Horse and Animal Sanctuary. Dogs, cats, horses and other animals were found living in filthy conditions. Their fur was caked in feces. Many of the animals had infections and parasites. Several were put down, but most were sent to local animal rescues for treatment and adoption preparation. READ MORE »
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has been reaccredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.
An accreditation team visited the department for three days in August, reviewing policies and operations of the agency. The sheriff’s office learned Wednesday that it is 100 percent compliant with all 259 standards applicable to the department.
The assessors noted that the department is “undertaking numerous projects to better the citizens of the county,” a news release states. READ MORE »
A viral fundraiser which has people dumping buckets of ice water over their heads has reached the local law enforcement community. The Bradenton Police Department S.W.A.T. Team did the “ice bucket challenge” Tuesday, challenging their counterparts at the sheriff’s offices in Manatee and Sarasota counties. READ MORE »
The Sarasota Police Department released a video recently in support of an Indiana officer who died earlier this month in the line of duty.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Patrolman Perry Renn was killed July 5 during an exchange of gunfire with a man brandishing a rifle.
The Indianapolis Star reported that the officer told the man to put the gun down, but when he failed to comply, the gun battle ensued.
The family of the suspect reportedly told media in Indianapolis that had Patrolman Renn stayed in his car, he would not have died, according to the Sarasota Police Department.
The incident sparked support from law enforcement agencies and the Sarasota Police Department’s video.
The video features various officers standing outside their patrol vehicles saying they will always get out of the car.
The video includes #IWillAlwaysGetOutOfMyCar.
and Sheriff Knight. Photo provided by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
Four Sarasota County Sheriff’s employees at were promoted Thursday in the Corrections Division, which oversees the jail.
Lieutenant Brian Meinberg was promoted to Captain and named the Corrections Operations Bureau Commander.
Sergeant Jay Doyle was promoted to Lieutenant.
Deputy Eleni Koenig and Deputy Michelle Gilbert were promoted to Sergeant.
“These men and women have demonstrated their commitment to the care, custody and control of inmates at the Sarasota County Jail,” Sheriff Tom Knight said in a news release. “They have established themselves as leaders and have worked diligently to advance their careers.”
A 13-year-old boy seriously injured during a hit-and-run last month when a driver struck his bicycle is ready to ride again. READ MORE »
Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube is hosting a community supper where citizens can discuss areas of concern and achievement with him and his staff.
A special discussion is planned on medical marijuana legislation.
Supper with the Sheriff
6 p.m. May 1
Police Athletic League cafeteria
202 13th Ave. E., Bradenton
$3 per plate
No reservation needed
Several Sarasota County law enforcement agencies are taking part in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
This is the eighth time in three years that the Drug Enforcement Administration has sponsored this nationwide campaign.
People are encouraged to drop their unused or expired prescription or over-the-counter medication at participating agencies. No questions asked.
Participating locations include:
-New College Police Department, 501 College Drive, Sarasota
-North Port Police Department, 4980 City Hall Road, North Port
-Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, 2071 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota
-Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, 4531 State Road 776, Venice
-Sarasota Police Department, 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota
-Venice Police Department, 1350 Ridgewood Avenue, Venice
All of the locations, expect for New College Police Department, have drop boxes available year-round.
The North Port Police Department noted that needles and syringes can be taken to any North Port fire station for disposal.
When I first met Beatriz Alvarez, I didn’t know what to expect.
We sat at a picnic table outside of the newspaper office with a translator. She was quiet and calm. Sometimes words flowed from her mouth; other times she would speak with long pauses, perhaps trying to find the right word or find the strength to say them.
Alvarez became emotional as she explained her family’s journey since her teenage daughter was hit by a vehicle and put in a semi-comatose state. At one point, she grabbed a receipt from her purse to wipe her eyes. That made me wish I had grabbed the box of tissues from my desk upstairs. READ MORE »
Four employees of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office have been recognized for their work in 2013. READ MORE »