Sarasota Police Department

09/01/2026

They work hard, they play hard and they definitely get the best naps! 🐾 Today, we're celebrating K-9s Brody, Koba, Butch and Kodak on this National Police K-9 Day! 💙

National Police K-9 Day is celebrated annually on September 1 to honor the service and sacrifice of police dogs. These four-legged officers help locate people, find evidence and keep the City of Sarasota, Government safe!

09/01/2026

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche Named Secretary of Police Executive Research Forum

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche has been named Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), the nation’s preeminent independent research organization focused on critical issues in policing.

PERF is an independent research organization founded in 1976 that identifies and promotes best practices in policing. The organization focuses on issues including reducing police response to resistance, community policing, technology, crime reduction strategies and other challenges facing law enforcement agencies across the country.

“I’m honored to serve as Secretary of PERF’s Board of Directors and to work alongside law enforcement leaders from across the country who are committed to advancing our profession,” Chief Troche said. “Challenges facing law enforcement do not stop at the borders of our communities. Sharing ideas, learning from one another and using research and proven practices to make our communities safer benefits all of us,” said Chief Troche.

Read more at https://www.sarasotapd.org/Home/Components/News/News/4461/5080

09/01/2026

We appreciate the work of the State Attorney’s Office 12th Judicial Circuit and everyone involved in seeing this case through the justice system. Our detectives and officers work tirelessly to investigate these cases and accountability matters, especially to the victims and our community. You can read more about this case below ⬇

State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Everett Arnold White was convicted after a jury trial of Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm While Armed with a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The crimes were committed on January 18, 2025, and investigated by the Sarasota Police Department. The trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse August 19-21, 2026.

Assistant State Attorney William Greiner, who prosecuted the case, charged White under Florida’s 10-20-Life law. Under 10-20-Life, White faces a minimum prison sentence of 25 years and up to life in prison for the charge of Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm While Armed with a Firearm, and up to an additional 15 years for the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The crimes were perpetrated against a longtime friend of the defendant following a minor argument over $20. After the argument, White retrieved a firearm and shot the victim in the torso. The victim suffered significant injuries and required months of hospitalization.

White previously served more than 13 years in prison for committing two counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder in 1997.

Assistant State Attorney William Greiner stated,

“This is the second time White has nearly killed someone with a firearm and the State of Florida will do everything in our power to make sure he doesn’t have a third opportunity.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney William Greiner in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.

08/31/2026

News Release: Case Update: Registered s*x offender sentenced to 10 years in prison; 15 years of probation

Mark McGoldrick, 70, a registered s*xual offender, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in state prison on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in connection with a July 2025 case. In addition to the 10-year state prison sentence, McGoldrick was sentenced to 15 years of probation following his release from prison.

McGoldrick was arrested and charged in July 2025 with aggravated stalking of a minor and attempted lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor. He was arrested after a 13-year-old victim called 911 and told officers an elderly man in a SUV attempted to lure her into his vehicle.

During the subsequent investigation, Sarasota Police detectives discovered McGoldrick had previous arrests for similar crimes in different parts of Florida and the United States. McGoldrick was featured on America’s Most Wanted in 2011 for failing to register as a s*x offender in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Sarasota Police detectives located previous victims and were able to use their testimony during Friday’s hearing. In addition to the original charges, detectives subpoenaed several social media platforms and learned McGoldrick was using aliases to register as a user. This resulted in a probation violation leading to three more felony charges for failure to report ID, web page or app name in December 2025.

“This case started with a victim who had the courage to come forward and we don’t take that trust lightly,” said Captain Jonathan Todd, Sarasota Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division. “Sarasota Police officers, detectives and the State Attorney’s Office, worked hard to make sure their voices were heard and made sure this predator was held accountable and taken off our streets,” said Captain Todd.

Original news release – July 22, 2025:

SARASOTA, FL -- On Monday evening, Sarasota Police Department Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division, along with Community Action Team Officers, arrested Mark McGoldrick, a registered s*xual offender, for the charges of:

• Aggravated Stalking of a Child Under 16,
• Loitering and Prowling by a Sexual Offender Close to Children.

McGoldrick is accused of attempting to lure a 13-year-old girl into his vehicle on Sunday evening. The victim managed to record the incident on video before fleeing the area and later identified McGoldrick from a photo lineup.

Through the investigation, detectives learned that McGoldrick has allegedly been stalking the same child multiple times over the past year. The girl reported that he frequently approached her while she was alone at her school bus stop during the school year.

McGoldrick was arrested at his home and is currently booked in the Sarasota County Jail.

Anyone with additional information regarding McGoldrick is asked to contact the Sarasota Police Department at 941-263-6773.

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08/31/2026

🚨Four days. Four violations. One very important reminder.🚨

Each of these photos show the SAME vehicle driving through a school zone in the City of Sarasota and one of those violations was recorded at 83 mph in a 40 mph zone. The others show the vehicle driving 54 in a 45, 65 in a 40 and 62 in a 40. 😮

In this case, the registered owner received FOUR $100 notices of violation for unlawful speed in a school zone. One for each day. If the registered owner chooses not to pay, the violation can become a $206 uniform traffic citation.

Here’s how our School Speed Zone Safety Program works:

When the school zone sign is flashing, the camera issues a violation for speeds more than 10 mph over the flashing school-zone speed limit.

When the school zone sign is not flashing, but during the enforcement period (school day), the camera will issue violations for speeds exceeding 10 mph over the normal posted speed limit. Learn more at https://www.sarasotapd.org/virtual-front-desk/school-speed-zone-safety-program

When you see those flashing lights in school zones, take your foot off the gas and slow down. Those flashing lights aren’t there to annoy drivers, they are there to slow traffic down and keep kids, parents, crossing guards, teachers and everyone else traveling through our school zones safe.

08/31/2026

Good Monday morning, City of Sarasota, Government and beyond! 🌤 A few safety reminders as we get a new week started:

🚔 Give yourself a few extra minutes. Speeding doesn't magically make traffic disappear.

🚔 Phone down, eyes up. That text can wait. Your eyes belong on the road.

🚔 Slow down, buckle up and be kind to one another.

Stay safe, Sarasota. We're here if you need us.

08/29/2026

Shaping up to be a rainy Saturday afternoon/evening in the City of Sarasota, Government.

🌧️ Wipers on = lights on.
🌧️ Slow down, leave extra space.
🌧️ Phones down, eyes up.
🌧️ Always buckle up.

Few extra seconds of caution can make all the difference. Drive safely, .

08/26/2026

Happy from your Sarasota Police K-9 Unit! 🐾🐕 We're celebrating the four-legged members of the Sarasota Police Department who show up every day ready to work, protect and serve our community.

From tracking and finding suspects to keeping their handlers safe, our K-9s are an incredible part of our team. 💙🚔 We may or may not have heard they may receive extra treats and belly rubs today.

08/25/2026

Our Explorers Program recently kicked off its first meeting of the year with their Physical Abilities Test (PAT).👟💪

Our Explorers put their strength, speed, endurance and agility to the test by running, tackling obstacles, dragging a 150-lb. dummy, and much more. And this isn’t a one-time challenge. We'll repeat the PAT periodically to track progress and see how our Explorers improve along the way!

Want to learn more about becoming an Explorer with the Sarasota Police Department? Visit https://www.sarasotapd.org/your-spd/divisions/patrol-division/community-relations-unit-cru

08/25/2026

Shellie Legarsky, the City's Homeless Response Coordinator, joined ABC7 Sarasota - WWSB yesterday to discuss the City's comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness in our community.

Shellie explained how the City's civilian caseworkers collaborate with the Sarasota Police Department to provide a range of services to homeless individuals, connecting them with the help they need to get back on their feet.

In addition, Shellie expressed that the kindest way to respond to an unsheltered person is to reach out to the Homeless Outreach Team rather than giving money, food, or supplies. If an individual feels their needs have been met while living on the street, it is much less likely that they will seek the help they need to eventually become housed. Those who want to take a more active role in addressing homelessness are encouraged to donate or volunteer their time to local charitable organizations, like Resurrection House, that coordinate with the City.

For more information or to get in contact with the Homeless Outreach Team, email [email protected] or call 941-263-6302.

Watch the full interview here: https://www.mysuncoast.com/2026/08/25/seeing-someone-experiencing-homelessness-sarasota-heres-how-city-says-you-can-help/