Sarasota police: ‘Operation Safe Summer’ took 34 guns off streets, led to 54 arrests, including six juveniles

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Sarasota police released the results of a months-long operation that began in late May after a string of shootings happened within a five-block radius of north Sarasota.

The operation led to 54 arrests, including 95 felony and 41 misdemeanor charges.

Thirty-four illegal guns were recovered by police. Some firearms were seized from juveniles, authorities said.

Along with targeting gun-related crimes, officials also seized the following:

• 950.5 grams of cocaine
• 15.5 grams of fentanyl
• 6 grams of heroin
• 20.1 grams of methamphetamine
• 1,410.4 grams of marijuana
• 18.7 grams of oxycodone
• 104.9 grams of synthetic cannabinoids
• $28,625 in cash

Police said of the 54 people arrested, six were juveniles.

“We are pleading with the community to keep the guns away from these juveniles, by locking up their doors,” Sgt. Robert Morrison said. “If you have a firearm at home, make sure that your children don’t have access to it. If you are going out, make sure you lock your doors on your vehicles because we have seen a crime trend where these guns are being stolen locally and then used in crimes.”

Six of the guns seized during the operation have been linked to other crimes in the community, including some of the shootings this summer, according to police.

Morrison said the community is safer as a result of the work done during the operation and officers are committed to continue that work.

“It is very, very dangerous for us to go and get these guns off the streets and these guys do it day in and day out,” he said. “A large portion of this operation was officers coming from our patrol division who signed up for extra duty hours, so they are coming in on their off days and they are staying late, coming in early, so a lot of personal sacrifice to help this community stay safe.”

Anyone with any information regarding illegal or stolen firearms is asked to contact the Sarasota Police Department’s non-emergency line at 941-316-1191. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 941-366-8477 or online .

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