Sarasota Plans Security Screenings At Commission Meetings

SARASOTA, FL — The city of Sarasota is set to begin new security screenings before residents are admitted into commission meetings, according to city officials.

City spokesman Jason Bartolone told Patch that residents will be subjected to the new screenings starting on Monday when officials hold a regularly scheduled commission meeting.

"Screenings will consist of a handheld wand and a bag check by trained personnel," Bartolone told Patch on Friday.

He said the change is in response to a state law that prohibits firearms at meetings of governing bodies.

"This precautionary measure is not in response to any specific incidents or threats," he said.

In late January, traffic was shut down around city hall for a time when a person is believed to have taken their own life with a gun across the street from the building.

City officials said residents and visitors should plan on arriving a few minutes early for Monday's meeting to allow time for the new security measures prior to entering commission chambers.

“This is simply a precautionary step to ensure all those attending our public meetings will be safe and secure at all times while exercising their rights as citizens,” said City Manager Tom Barwin, who consulted with Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino with respect to the screenings.

City officials said the security screenings would remain in place until further notice.

Monday's meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. at Sarasota City Hall. Click here to view the agenda.

For more information on City meetings, visit SarasotaFL.gov. Sarasota City Hall is located at 1565 1st St.