City of Sarasota New Year’s Eve Celebration Safety Reminders and Road Closures

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 

 

SPD

 

The men and women of the Sarasota Police Department are working to make sure our community can enjoy a safe start to the New Year. Officers urge everyone to avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and to refrain from discharging weapons in the air to celebrate the arrival of 2025.

If your holiday celebrations include consuming alcoholic beverages, avoid driving while impaired. There are safer and less expensive travel options, including designating a sober driver, using a rideshare service, or taking advantage of the free ‘Tow to Go’ service offered through AAA. For Tow to Go in Sarasota, call 1-855-2-TOW-2-GO (1-855-286-9246). The Sarasota Police Department will be out, and there is zero tolerance for the dangerous act of impaired driving.

Some individuals celebrate the arrival of the New Year by firing a weapon into the air, a practice known as celebratory gunfire. This is both dangerous and illegal. “What goes up, must come down.” A bullet fired into the air will come down, and the unintended consequences can be tragic. It is against the law to fire a weapon in the City of Sarasota, and violators will be arrested.

The annual Pineapple Drop will be held in downtown Sarasota at Lemon Avenue and Main Street. The Sarasota Police Department asks those attending to leave backpacks, coolers, and alcohol at home.

Several roads will be closed for the annual Pineapple Drop on December 31, 2024.  Vehicles not removed by the posted time will be towed at the owner’s expense.  For information on towed vehicles, please call Upman’s Towing at 941-365-7084.

The following road closures will be in place for the Pineapple Drop between December 29, 2024, and January 1, 2025:

  • 4 a.m. December 29, 2024, until 4 a.m. January 1, 2025:
    • Pineapple Avenue from 1st Street to the Roundabout
    • 1st Street from Pineapple Avenue to Central Avenue
    • Central Avenue from 1st Street to the Roundabout
  • 4 a.m. December 31, 2024, until 9 a.m. January 1, 2025:
    • Main Street from Orange Avenue to Palm Ave.
    • Lemon Avenue from 1st Street to State Street.