News Briefs

+ Boaters’ Coalition says no to Big Pass dredge
On Saturday, the Sarasota-based Boaters’ Coalition joined a growing chorus of opposition to the Army Corps project, injecting the voice of stakeholders not focused on Siesta Key into the contrarian camp for the first time.

The group announced its official opposition to dredging Big Pass in a Saturday email to the County Commission. The Boaters’ Coalition, which comprises members in locations from Clearwater to Marco Island, unanimously passed the measure announcing its opposition to the dredge.

In a statement to the County Commission, Peter van Roekens, a former Siesta Key Association board member and chairman of the Boaters’ Coalition, wrote: “The Boaters’ Coalition opposes this dredge based on navigational concerns that Big Pass will end up in the same condition as every other dredged inlet that does not have protective jetties, namely they become shallow and basically impassible for anything except shallow draft boats without repeated dredging on a regular basis.”

Van Roekens also claimed that the dredge’s unintended consequences might include the closing of the pass to all boat traffic, which would affect operations out of the Sarasota Yacht Club, the Bird Key Yacht Club and Marina Jack.

+ Sarasota Police Foundation searches for board
Larry Twill, president of the Sarasota Police Foundation, is working with attorney Dan Bailey and philanthropy consultant Charlie Ann Syprett to find the group’s inaugural board of directors.

The organization was founded in 2008 as a way to help fund the Sarasota Police Department. The group is focused on engaging with the community to get input on who citizens would like to see on the board of the police foundation, according to a press release.

In the future, it plans to distribute a survey to community leaders and the heads of human service nonprofit organizations to get a sense of the community’s priorities for the police foundation.

“We trust this effort will pay dividends, enabling us to assemble a groundbreaking board that will build community support and raise supplemental resources for our city police department,” Bailey said.

+ Sheriff’s Office braces for spring breakers
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office announced March 7 it is stepping up patrols at area beaches and entertainment establishments in anticipation of spring break.

An increased law-enforcement presence at specific areas is intended to preemptively disrupt incidents and deter criminal activity. The Sheriff’s office said deputies will be extra vigilant regarding underage drinking, drug possession and traffic enforcement.

“We want to ensure that residents continue to enjoy their community as we experience the annual influx of spring visitors,” Sherrif’s Office spokeswoman Wendy Rose said.

Meetings & agendas
Regular City Commission Meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Monday, March 17, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

Downtown Improvement District Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, SRQ Media Studio, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.