OUR WATERWAYS
Sarasota Considering Volunteer Marine Patrol Program By Harmon Heed wo members of the Sarasota Power Squadron, outgoing Cmdr. Demitri Lignos and incoming Cmdr. Leon Warshaw, who are also members of the Sarasota volunteer police program, have made a proposal to Sarasota Police Chief Mikel Holloway that he may not be able to refuse: Create a volunteer marine patrol program. The Sarasota Police Department (SPD) presently has only one officer, Officer Ken Goebel, on the water and he is available for marine patrol only 30 hours a week. He patrols a water area larger than the land area of the city, which has over 175 uniformed police officers. Sarasota Bay has nine marinas and approximately 200 boats anchored in it. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) runs right through it. Officer Goebel’s backup is ex-marine patrol Officer Bruce King whose primary job is a land patrol officer. Both men are sworn officers who carry weapons, and their wages and retirements are paid for by the city taxpayers. They both hold Coast Guard OUPV (six pack) captain’s licenses, which they earned on their off time. The SPD already has the police volunteer program with over 80 volunteers who assist the land-based police for free. The volunteers do not have law enforcement authority nor do they carry weapons. They are provided uniforms with
volunteer badges sewn on the chest and the word “Volunteer” clearly stitched on the left shoulder. Before they are accepted they must undergo background investigations and physical evaluation. Before they begin volunteer duties they are trained by SPD personnel. The amount of training determines what duties they may perform. Some of those duties include crowd control presence at parades and city celebrations, honor guard, neighborhood patrol and, for a few, writing non-moving traffic violations. Other volunteers work inside doing administrative duties like processing records and tickets or in logistical services, such as supply room assistance. Twelve members of the Power Squadron are police volunteers. The SPD volunteer program is run by crime prevention Officer Ford Snodgrass, an ex-marine patrol officer. “This program will enable us to increase our protective presence on the bay without increasing our budget.” He thinks the program will be implemented this year and possibly as early as this summer. The idea of a volunteer police marine patrol program is not new. Delray Beach, FL, has had one since January of 2004. Their volunteer roving patrol, under the supervision of Officer Andrew Arena, has been the “eyes and ears” of
CLASSIC RESTORED STAR SAILBOAT FOR SALE
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Contact Joe Barnette: 941-928-9207 • cjbarnette@yahoo.com To read more about the Star, see the SOUTHWINDS article in the August 2010 issue at www.southwindsmagazine.com 34 February 2011
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