Sarasota Police roll out the Sarasota Learning Center
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
SPD
Children in the City of Sarasota can look forward to seeing the new Sarasota Police Learning Center pulling up to community events and locations throughout year.
The 28-foot trailer is outfitted with iPads, a smartboard, classroom supplies and more than 200 books. The mobile classroom is designed to provide a safe learning environment that supports academic growth and social development while engaging with police officers.
This vehicle was made possible through the generous support of the Deb Kabinoff Fund. Books were donated by Felicia Donaldson of Mom’s Book Nook and the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County. The colorful wrap, which showcases the city’s skyline, was adapted from an image provided by Liesl Walsh Photography.
For officers in the Community Relations Units, the Sarasota Learning Center will help foster trust and build positive relationships with the youth they serve. While officers will manage the trailer and participate in activities, the goal is for the vehicle to be used as an on-campus field trip experience or for special outreach events for youth in the City of Sarasota.
“We’ve outfitted it with everything a classroom would need,” said Officer Whitney Bentz, Sarasota Police Department Community Relations Unit. “I want to see kids using it and enjoying how much work has gone into to creating this space. I want them to get excited when they see it pull up to the school and think ‘I get to do this today.’”
Initially the Sarasota Learning Center will be available at community events and at elementary schools in north Sarasota as part of a partnership with the Sarasota County School District.
Organizations interested in information or to request the Learning Center should contact Sgt. Luis Paris at luis.paris@sarasotafl.gov.
