MSO moves District 3 substation to Bradenton

MANATEE -- The Manatee Sheriff's Office announced Monday that its District 3 substation has moved from 5030 U.S. 301, Ellenton, to 616 67th St. Circle E., Bradenton.

The new location is at the intersection of St. Rd. 64 and Interstate 75, according to a release. Currently, District 3 encompasses areas of north and east of unincorporated Manatee County.

"We needed a little bigger place because eventually we're going to be splitting into two districts," sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow said Monday. "In the future, we're going to run two districts out of there -- we're going to run north side and east side, but we're going to split it."

Bristow said the agency hasn't determined yet where the split between the District 3 and the future District 4 will be, but that it is definitely going to happen.

"It's a large area when you're considering all the way from the county line -- Hillsborough to Manatee -- and east into Lakewood Ranch all the way to University," Bristow said. "It's a huge district."

Bristow said the creation of another district substation will mean additional deputies. While there will be costs associated with the new district, Bristow said, it's going to have to happen.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 5:49 PM with the headline "MSO moves District 3 substation to Bradenton ."