06/17/2026
Last Friday, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program students had the opportunity to learn more about important local government facilities. 👨⚖️
The cohort toured the Sarasota County Jail and got a behind-the-scenes view of the role guards play in inmate spaces. The group learned about the jail’s day-to-day operations, including inmate services and rehabilitation.
🐾Following the tour of the jail, the Leadership Program had the opportunity to interact with K-9 officers and observe how the K-9s are trained. The group gained a closer look at how the dogs respond to potentially dangerous situations and how their deployment can be the safest way to engage with suspects.
After learning more about law enforcement operations, the group attended presentations by Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller Karen Rushing, Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner, Sarasota County Tax Collector Mike Moran, and Brian Loughrey from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office. Each speaker provided an overview of their roles within Sarasota County, helping the group better understand how even the most overlooked daily services are carefully managed by county employees.
The group’s final stop was the Emergency Operations Center and 911 Call Center. During the tour, the cohort observed how operators handle emergencies and efficiently dispatch the appropriate departments to the scene.
🏛 Overall, the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program’s Government Day helped participants gain a deeper understanding of the wide range of services and work performed by Sarasota County.
Thank you to Grim Reaper Pest Solutions Llc for sponsoring the day! 👏
