SARASOTA – Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office holds their 2nd annual open house. 2017 kick-started this Open House event when the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, moved to a new facility on Cattleridge Blvd. Ever since, Deputies say they continue to celebrate another year of reduced crime.
Spokesperson for Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Kaitlyn Perez says it gives law enforcement the opportunity to connect with the people they serve.
“So often, we interact with the public, unfortunately, for negative reasons, to take people to jail, respond to a domestic disturbance, for example,” Kaitlyn Perez said. “But, today, deputies are out here, kind of, a little outside of their comfort zone; hanging out with the community, showing kids what their uniform looks like, what their vehicle looks like, it just gives us an opportunity to connect with people and that’s what we love to do.”
Members of the agency’s Emergency Response Teams and other units displayed their special equipment giving guests an inside look at the Special Operations Bureau.
A little boy with a bright future ahead of him, Kyle Darby, says he wants to be a sheriff when he grows up.
SNN’s Annette Gutierrez asks him if he wants to wear this the kind of vest you want to wear in the future, and he says “Yes.”
And other kids, were just excited to come. Toni Chapman, from Venice Florida, brought her great-niece, Brook, to the event.
“We wanted to see the officers,” Brook Chapman said.
It’s a family-friendly event for all to enjoy. Music to dance to.. obstacle courses to drive some healthy competition… and even animals to adopt.
Families love it.
“It’s very nice to see them in person,” Toni Chapman said. “And tell them how much we appreciate their service every day. It’s a hard job they do to keep us safe, and can’t appreciate them more.”
Not only did the event have food, animals, and bounce-house, it also included a very special guest, Santa Clause.