If you like to go wild on Lake Grapevine, watch out: Police are getting a boat
Grapevine police will soon be patrolling more than just the city’s streets.
The City Council this week approved the purchase of a $98,400 police patrol boat to assist with an increasing number of service calls to Lake Grapevine. The city will use state and federal forfeiture funds to pay for the boat.
The Police Department does not have a boat of its own, but it has used the fire department’s rescue boat as needed.
“Enforcement responsibilities on the lake have shifted over the years, and while we are maintaining a strong partnership with our Texas Parks and Wildlife resources are limited,” Assistant Chief of Police Marc Shimmick told the council at a March 3 meeting.
Shimmick said there are more calls related to alcohol, safety violations and emergencies at the lake and the boat would help ease concerns about parks and lake operations.
“While the city has implemented several measures over time, such as ordinances, adjustment to park hours, creating pay parks and controlled access,“ Shimmick said. “Those measures alone cannot address incidents occurring on the water.
Shimmick said his department has tried to address these concerns last summer using the fire department’s boat to combat these issues and that effort has resulted in 600 citations and 175 arrests.
“However, that model is not sustainable long term,” Shimmick said. “From a safety standpoint it improves officer safety during water based operations, It reduces response times, increases voluntary compliance through our visible law enforcement presence, particularly during peak hours and special events.”