Freeport PD back to patrolling waterways

Police Chief Michael Smith told News 12 that their marine unit boat had been out of the water due to “certain constraints, budget and manpower,” and that last year, it started coming back.

Cecilia Dowd

Aug 14, 2024, 9:25 PM

Updated 25 days ago

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The Freeport Police Department once again has a presence on its local waterways after about a dozen years without boat patrols.
Police Chief Michael Smith told News 12 that their marine unit boat had been out of the water due to “certain constraints, budget and manpower,” and that last year, it started coming back.
He said over the last several years, there’s been a “significant increase” in boat traffic.
Now, the boat is patrolling the waterways seven days a week in the summertime.
Summonses are issued for speeding, and excessive wake among other things.
Boater Bob Valletti said the police presence is making a “big difference” because “people behave themselves when cops are around.”