Are Sarasota County deputies now patrolling Interstate 75 to help FHP?

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office received a $160,000 grant to target aggressive driving and speeding on Interstate 75. 

The grant is funded through a contract with the Florida Department of Transportation. It funds overtime for deputies “involved in data-driven, high-visibility enforcement activities,” an SCSO press release states.

The first operation was run on Nov. 6, and the grant supports continued additional police presence through Sept. 30, 2026. 

In Florida counties with populations of 300,000 or more, Sarasota County ranks No. 15 in aggressive driving incidents resulting in serious or fatal injuries. This grant is a response to that statistic, aiming to reduce serious crashes on I-75.