News Briefs

+ Undercover sting comes up short
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department began an undercover operation last week, to catch a suspected gang of vehicle burglars. The sting has yet to yield any arrests, said Sgt. Scott Osborne during a Tuesday, Aug. 7 meeting of the Siesta Key Village Association.

There were at least 10 vehicle burglaries at the main public beach access in July, Osborne said. Each vehicle was unlocked the same way, and deputies suspect a group of criminals is targeting the area.

Rental vehicles tend to be the main targets, so officers used decoy Chevy Impalas to lure the suspects. Several stolen credit cards were used immediately after they were reported missing, allowing deputies to obtain video footage of possible suspects.

+ Staff wants permit reductions to stay
It’s been two years since the Sarasota County Commission reduced building permit costs by 10% to encourage economic activity, and staff in the building department want them to remain discounted.

Sarasota County Executive Director of Planning Services and Development Rob Lewis Aug. 7, told members of the Siesta Key Village Association he will recommend commissioners renew the amendment when it’s up to expire this fall.

+ Siesta Key Village flags need tending
Sarasota County is transitioning Siesta Key Village upkeep into the hands of a selected private firm, and in the flux one patriotic responsibility has been temporarily been forgotten.

Siesta Key Village Association President Russell Matthes during the organization’s August meeting asked for volunteers who would be willing to lower the flag for national tragedies, such as the Aug. 5 Sikh temple massacre, and to notify the incoming firm when a replacement is necessary. The meeting didn’t draw as many members as it usually does and there were no immediate responses to accept the duty.

“I can’t tell you how frustrated I get when I drive around and don’t see the flags at half-staff,” Matthes said.

Meetings & Agendas
• Historic Preservation Board — 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, City Hall, Commission Chamber, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Sarasota County Development Review Committee meeting — 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, Conference Room 2, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota
• Sarasota County Commission budget workshop — 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, Third Floor Think Tank, Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
• City Commission Regular Meeting — 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, City Hall, Commission Chamber, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• School Board of Sarasota County monthly work session — 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, Landings Administrative Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd., Sarasota