News Briefs

+ County Commission approves Amber Alert sign
If the city of Sarasota gives its approval, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s office will install a new sign by the historic Sarasota County Courthouse to display crime reports and Amber Alerts to the public.

The County Commission Dec. 13 approved the concept unanimously.

The LED sign would be no larger than 6 feet by 7 feet, according to information provided to the commissioners. It would be located adjacent to the southeast corner of the historic courthouse.

All the messages on the sign would be coordinated through the Sheriff’s Office.

Crime Stoppers has been working on the concept almost a year. The County Commission Jan. 25 directed the county administrator and the county attorney to draft a lease agreement with representatives of Crime Stoppers to install the sign outside the Sheriff’s Office on Ringling Boulevard. However, that site later was slated for other usage, so Crime Stoppers, in consultation with city staff, chose the location by the courthouse, according to a memo to the County Commission from Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis.
Because the county owns the property, the commission’s approval was necessary.

Crime Stoppers has submitted an application to the city of Sarasota, requesting an adjustment of its downtown zoning code to allow the sign with a changing message.

The sign is expected to go up within 90 days of the city’s approval.

Meetings & agendas
• Siesta Key Village Association — 8:30 a.m. Jan. 3, Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar, 5250 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key.
• School Board — 6:30 p.m. Jan. 3, Sarasota County School District Offices, Board Chambers, 1980 Landings Blvd., Sarasota.
• Siesta Key Association — 4:30 p.m. Jan. 5, St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Room F, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key.
• Sarasota County Planning Commission — 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5, Commission Chambers, Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.