Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/332945
On Wednesday, June 11, Sarasota Police Department officers arrested a 48-year-old Sarasota man in Fredd Atkins Park after receiving a tip about drug dealing in the park, the department has announced. About 4:10 p.m., when officers arrived at the park, which is located at 2581 Washington Court in Sarasota, they found and detained the suspect, a news release says. During a search of the man, they allegedly discovered two nylon sunglass holders filled with mar- ijuana in "dime" baggies and a clear baggie of loose marijuana, the release adds. The total amount of the drug was 63.1 grams, the release notes. (See the accompanying photo.) "Addressing the flagrant sale of illegal sub- stances in and around our public parks is one of the several strategies we are using to eliminate open-air drug markets from our neighborhoods, with the ultimate goal of returning public spaces to law-abiding citi- zens," said Lt. Pat Ledwith, commander of the Criminal Investigation Division, in the release. S i n c e M a y 2 0 1 3 , t h e S a r a s o t a P o l i c e Department has made 37 arrests in the area of Fredd Atkins Park, the release points out. The suspect in the latest case, Al Jenkins of 5770 Beneva Road, Sarasota, was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell within 1,000 Feet of a Park. ARREST RESULTS IN SEIZURE OF MORE THAN 60 GRAMS OF MARIJUANA Sarasota Police Department detectives seized 'dime' bags of marijuana and a bag of loose marijuana from a suspect in Fredd Atkins Park this week. Photo courtesy Police Department A l J e n k i n s / C o n t r i b u t e d photo Sarasota News Leader June 20, 2014 Page 84