Stay away if it’s not an emergency. Law enforcement adjusting to coronavirus outbreak

Law enforcement agencies in Manatee and Sarasota counties are making some adjustments when it comes to public access amid the novel coronavirus outbreaks in the area.

Police officers and sheriff’s deputies are still very much on duty and ready to respond to emergencies, but public access into area headquarters for typical non-emergency related reports will be limited at some agencies.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has closed its records and civil sections lobby until further notice, but residents have alternative options to process requests.

“Civil process enforceables that are usually submitted in person to our civil section can be given to deputies in our telephone reporting unit inside the main entrance at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office operations center, 600 301 Blvd. W., Suite 202,” the sheriff’s office said. “That paperwork will be given to our civil section for processing immediately.”

Fingerprinting services at the sheriff’s office also EW suspended.

Non-enforceable paperwork also can be mailed to: Manatee County Sheriff’s Office ATTN: Civil 600 301 Blvd. W. Bradenton 34205.

The sheriff’s office also implemented a widely used online records portal for records request to reduce, “unnecessary person to person contact during the COVID-19 outbreak. This seamless interface by which the public and members of the media can submit their own requests without staff interaction, will allow records personnel to focus on the production of records, rather than processing manual intake of requests.”

The Sarasota Police Department has closed its front desk and records division until further notice due to COVID-19 concerns, but the closure will not affect emergency calls.

Those who are in need of emergency assistance should still call 911. To reach the Sarasota police front desk with questions, call 941-263-6025.

“The men and women of the Sarasota Police Department will not stop serving our community during COVID-19,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino. “We’re serving and protecting our community 24 hours a day, seven days a week while making sure we’re taking all the necessary protocols and following the guidelines of the CDC and Florida Department of Health.

“The safety and health of our community and the men and women of our agency is my number one concern.”

Sarasota residents and visitors are encouraged to follow protocols put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for questions about the coronavirus, the Florida Department of Health has set up a hotline at 866-779-6121,

So far, the Bradenton Police Department and Palmetto Police Department have not announced any changes. Neither agency immediately returned phone callsl Tuesday morning.

The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller also remains operating as normal. Officials ask that anyone experiencing symptoms of an illness not come to the courthouse. The clerk’s office also has decided to move all marriage ceremonies to the courthouse courtyard gazebo instead of inside.

For questions, call the clerk’s office at 941-749-1800. Visit manateeclerk.com for a multitude of online services.