The Sarasota Police Department participates in many outreach opportunities and events throughout the year. In addition to engaging with HOAs and local businesses, they partner with various non-profit organizations to support their efforts in Sarasota as well. Some key community events that are hosted by or attended by the SPD include:
• National Night Out – An annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
• Shop with a Cop – An annual event the Sarasota Police Department partners with the Sarasota Housing Authority and Target. Underprivileged children each receive a $100.00 purchase whatever they please for Christmas while shopping with an SPD Officer.
• Trunk or Treat – SPD participates in this annual safe Halloween event at The Robert L. Taylor Center.
• Annual Christmas Stocking Handout – SPD Officers and Volunteers hand out Christmas stockings to each student at Booker Middle School.
• Books and Badges – annual book give away in partnership with the Sarasota Housing Authority to bring books to underserved children in the community. The event happens every summer in an effort to curb “summer slide” – a regression of academic proficiency due to the break that hinders progress when kids return to school in the fall.
• Pack the Patrol Car – the Sarasota Police Department, in partnership with our community pack the patrol car will new school supplies for children in need for the upcoming school year. Supplies are donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota in north Sarasota.
• Coffee with a Cop – brings police officers and the community together over coffee to discuss issues and learn more about each other and issues affecting their neighborhoods. Meetings are held at local coffee shops.