Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/147897
Sarasota News Leader August 2, 2013 Page 54 16 percent in 2012 and a 21 percent drop in And those demographics show that, with a crime since Knight took office in 2009, the re- higher cost of living and an older population in the county, many of his recruits will have to port notes. come from other places. That also will mean To maintain those trends, Knight told the paying them enough to entice them to reloCounty Commission in late June, he needs to cate. continue hiring highly qualified people. That was why he commissioned a workforce study, "We're very proud of [the lower crime rate]," he said: to help the commissioners understand Knight told the commissioners on June 18. the demographics with which he will have to "The county is your vision," he added. "My job work — through budgets they will approve — is to keep your vision intact through proper over the next several years. planning … I truly believe we live in the great- A chart shows reasons law enforcement and corrections officers gave for leaving the Sheriff's Office over the past four years. Image courtesy Sarasota County Sheriff's Office