Off-duty patrol discussions still in works

Lakewood Ranch CDD 1 hopes a contract with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office can be secured within three months.

District Attorney Chris Van Hise said Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 1 is still several months away from finalizing a contract with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office with off-duty patrols but has overcome several required steps, such as an engineering certification.

Van Hise said there are still issues with a proposed inter-local agreement because it is designed for districts that own and maintain their own rights of way. Manatee County owns District 1 roadways.

The district began the process to secure off-duty patrols on an as-needed basis in summer 2015. It previously paid a security company to conduct security patrols throughout the district, which includes the Summerfield and Riverwalk communities.