Tulare Co. Sheriff’s Dept. takes over boat patrol on lakes
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday it will permanently take over boat patrol duties at lakes Kaweah and Success.
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to transfer boat patrol equipment from the General Services Department to the Sheriff’s Department.
Under a pilot program launched last year, deputies began taking over lake patrol duties from the Parks and Recreation Division and will complete the transition over the next few years.
The general public has shown an overwhelming acceptance of the new law enforcement presence on the lakes.
Tulare County Sheriff’s Department
No drownings or boat collisions occurred from June 2015 through March, and there were more boating under the influence arrests and citations issued for other offenses, the Sheriff’s Department said in a staff report.
“The general public has shown an overwhelming acceptance of the new law enforcement presence on the lakes,” the report said.
The Boating Safety Enforcement Unit will operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week May through September; eight hours a day, five days a week in the off-season. It will eventually have one sergeant and eight deputies.
The Sheriff’s Department already patrols the Kings River in summer season.
Lewis Griswold: 559-441-6104, @fb_LewGriswold
This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Tulare Co. Sheriff’s Dept. takes over boat patrol on lakes."