Sarasota County implements new system for non-emergency calls

The Sarasota County Public Safety Communications Center has implemented a new automated attendant system for the sheriff’s office non-emergency line. 

According to a press release from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the office handled 657,970 calls with 289,624 emergency calls for service in 2022. 

“These recent changes were made following a rise in call volume versus last year,” the release said. “This added convenience will better direct non-emergency calls.”

Non-emergency calls will be directed to one of the following locations: 

• County Correctional Facility 
• Animal services 
• Records 
• Fingerprinting 
• Sex offender registration
• Civil matters 
• Fugitive apprehension 
• 311Connect 
• Communications operator

In the event the caller has an emergency, the caller will be directed to press 1 to be transferred to a 911 call taker. If at any time a caller presses 0, the call will be routed to a communications center operator for further assistance. A Spanish option is also available with the same prompts under the new system. 

“The county hopes the new system will help both the agency streamline communication and address issues more quickly,” the release said. 

When in doubt on whether you are having an emergency, dial 911. The non-emergency line is 941-316-1201.