Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/313059
Sgt. Scott Osborne of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office stood before members of the Siesta Key Association on May 1 and said, "It's my favorite time of year; spring break is over." Osborne heads up the Sheriff 's Office's Community Policing Station on the island, w h i c h w a s i n u n - dated with visitors during season, busi- nesses and residents have agreed. "April was extremely busy for us," he added, noting that the Sheriff's Office assigned more than 38 deputies to Siesta that month just to deal with the extra crowds. "Every year," he continued, "you hear more and more people are coming, but I think it's true. More and more people are com- ing here." Osborne's observa- tion is borne out by t h e l a t e s t To u r i s t D e v e l o p m e n t Ta x (TDT) revenue data f r o m t h e S a r a s o t a People head out on Siesta Public Beach in early March, ready to claim their spots. Deputies reported the parking lot full most days by 9:30 a.m. during season. Photo by Rachel Hackney $964,257 AND COUNTING TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX REVENUE CONTINUES TO CLIMB AT THE SAME TIME OTHER COUNTY REVENUE DATA PROVES STRONG Every year, you hear more and more people are coming, but I think it's true. More and more people are coming here. Sgt. Scott Osborne Siesta Key Community Policing Station Sarasota County Sheriff's Office By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor