Sarasota Police are finally implementing marijuana civil citations
SARASOTA – More than a year after it was passed into law, a citywide civil citation program for people caught with small amounts of marijuana is finally being implemented by Sarasota Police.
Michael Harrell, the department’s civilian police investigator, told city commissioners on Monday that policy changes earlier this year have resulted in 32 civil citations issued since February.
Before that change, officers issued only one citation in the first two years under the law.
Sworn police officers at the agency have received new training and are now required to carry scales to ensure that those caught with 20 grams of cannabis or less would be issued a civil citation and would not be arrested.
City of Sarasota extends health emergency measures through April 30 Commissioner suggests curfew for Sarasota. (Source: WWSB) By ABC7 Staff | April 23, 2021 at 11:51 AM EDT - Updated April 23 at 11:51 AM
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - The City of Sarasota has extended its declaration of a local citywide public health emergency through April 30 following a weekly review, as required by the City Charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The emergency order was issued Friday by City Manager Marlon Brown, in consultation with Mayor Hagen Brody and City Attorney Robert Fournier.
The cityâs temporary street closure program allows additional space for outdoor dining to help restaurants and retailers severely impacted by the pandemic. Lemon Avenue will be closed between Main Street and State Street from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and from 3:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
9 hours ago Share Although the city rejected the Arts and Cultural Alliance’s proposed partnership, the nonprofit still intends to bring affordable live-work space to the North Trail.
If the yearslong effort to create an affordable artist-housing project in Sarasota is going to become a reality, it won’t be with significant financial support from the city.
On Monday, the commission voted 3-2 to reject a request to partner with the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County on construction of live-work space for artists at 4644 N. Tamiami Trail. The Arts Alliance is negotiating with Sarasota County to use the site, which county officials are trying to sell to aid the development of affordable housing.
9 hours ago Share Officials are exploring opportunities to revise the city’s building regulations outside of predominantly residential areas. What could this mean for Sarasota’s future?
It’s been more than two decades since the city adopted a comprehensive overhaul of its zoning code, but that could change next year.
On Monday, the City Commission voted 3-2 to move forward with a plan to develop options for revising the building regulations in nonresidential areas of Sarasota. The forthcoming proposals could reshape permissible developments downtown and on commercial roads, such as U.S. 41.
Monday’s vote did not commit the city to making any changes. The commission authorized the Planning Department’s plans for drafting and evaluating potential revisions, a process likely to extend into 2022.
City extends emergency order for another week mysuncoast.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mysuncoast.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.