Quiet night for Venice police and firefighters

VENICE - Calling their emergency preparedness a "well-oiled ballet," Venice Police spokesman Tom McNulty said police and firefighters had a quiet night Monday preparing for Tropical Storm Fay.

"We've matured," said McNulty. "Even citizens from past storms know what to do."

Police made the rounds at the area's half-dozen mobile home communities Monday, urging residents to heed the mandatory evacuation of mobile homes, which are prone to damage during high winds. The police department was double staffed just in case the storm was stronger than predicted.

Some residents and people with special needs on the county's list for transportation were reluctant to leave their homes with Fay on an uncertain path.

"Some left," McNulty said. "Forty-five people took advantage of shelter" at the Venice Community Center, the area's designated shelter.

Even though it became apparent by dawn Tuesday that Fay posed no danger to Venice, many banks and businesses remained closed.

On Venice Avenue downtown, about half the businesses were closed, with few people shopping. About a dozen high school students spent the afternoon at Venice Beach, but with the concession stand closed that meant no snow cones.

While schools and the Venice and Sarasota YMCAs were closed, the Venice Vikings youth football league held football practice as usual.

City offices plan to reopen at 8 a.m. today. Garbage, recycling and yard waste collections resume normal schedules.