Sarasota PD Parks SWAT-Style Truck In Neighborhood To Deter Crime

SARASOTA, FL — Fed up with repeated drug activity, Sarasota police said they hope to deter dealers and buyers from setting foot in one neighborhood.

"If you’ve driven in the 1300 block of 15th Street, you may have noticed this vehicle in front of the home where we’ve executed two search warrants in the last several months," the police department posted to Facebook on Wednesday.

According to the police department, they recently parked a SWAT-style truck from the Bradenton Police Department along the street next to the house.

Anyone up to no good will not know when the vehicle is actually occupied — which is the point. Break the law, you just might get caught. The truck is equipped with cameras, police said.

"We’ve parked this vehicle to deter further illegal narcotics activity in the area," the department said.

The department's decision to park the truck in this particular Sarasota community has received praise from residents — as well as criticism.

"Awesome Job SPD! Wouldn't mind seeing more of them," one person commented.

"They used to park police cars on in our neighborhood to deter speeding. It worked." another person posted.

Others said the truck made the neighborhood look bad and did not believe it would prevent crime.

"There goes everyone's property value," one person said.

"What a waste of taxpayer money," another person commented.