WWSB ABC 7 Sarasota: Sarasota Police Increase Visibility

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - If you live within the Sarasota city limits or are visiting our fine town, you may notice there are a few more police officers out of their cars. You may have seen them patrolling, interacting with residents on foot, by bike or maybe even ATV. It's all part of the department's renewed push to increase visibility in communities across the city, allowing them to deter crimes like open drug activity, aggressive panhandling and alcohol-related crimes. Community policing isn’t new to the area, but they have made some improvements with the new chief of police. “For one, you see us out here right now doing increased foot patrols like I was saying, over the next several weeks. You'll see increased foot patrols, increased bicycle patrols, ATVs. Even in our patrol vehicles. Just showing face with the community, getting to know what your problems are and what we can do to solve them,” said Sarasota Police officer Adam Bearden. Folks with the department say the increased visibility will be city wide. Coming up at 5 p.m. on ABC 7 News at 5, we're going to hear from the new chief of police in Sarasota on this campaign. Why he says it is so important and so effective as part of the agency's strategy.