Stop and Search

I am not for police harrasment but I do think the random stops are helping to solve the the crime rate that is growing in our area. Look at the number of drugs, weapons and contraband that are taking off our roads evey day. Who says the same things are not happening on the water. With all the terrorism that is occuring around the world as well as what has happened here in our own state, right on the hudson river we do need to be more careful. There are still alot of areas that can be accessed from the river with very little protection. We are a great target and there really isnt much out there to help prevent it. Things have changed alot here in our state as well as country, we are a target now and the way we live our lives has changed.

One thing I didnt mention in my earlier post was the large drug bust that just occured in the newburg area. Those drugs came from some where. It is in the area that the coal tankers unload so Perhaps the drugs are comming in from the water. I for one will tolerate what ever it takes to stop the drug traffic in the area.

Why the sudden increase in boardings that occured this weekend is a mystery, I did hear the coast guard was training new recruits. If I remember correct we also had a weekend last year this occured. They even came into bowline and boarded a large raft up.

As I have stated before, I am not for police harrasment, and yes some of these boardings may seem like it, I do support what ever it takes to help make my weekend enjoyment safer as well as make our water ways a better place for us.
 
I've been boating now for nearly 11 months. We're out 2 or 3 days every week in the Tampa Bay area (to be fair - week days). I've heard the CG on the radio quite a bit, but have only seen them on the water a handful of times, mostly escorting cruise ships out of the Bay. I saw the local PD handing out fliers in Sarasota Bay before the fireworks, other than that, they're pretty scarce. I see the Sheriff almost every time and they only have 1 boat! Once I was cruising from Sarasota up to our dock on the Manatee River and saw the Sheriff's boat 3 times along the way as they cruise a HUGE area.

The only stop I ever witnessed was an elderly couple just as they were leaving their sailboat on their dink after a night on the hook. They held up 2 life jackets and the guy motored away.

Hmmm... just over 400 hours of boating in a little under a year and this is all I've seen so far. In fact, I see the CG helicopters and C130 more often than their boats for some reason.
 
My .02.

I'm all for security and safety checks but I can see how this can get old really fast.

Just give me the document that says I passed an inspection. If you want to check me out for security reasons, fine but don't put me throught the hassle of a safety inspection over and over.

I've been lucky so far. Maybe the Power Squadron burgee buys a little leeway.
 
Sounds like it's out of control to me.

This issue should be presented to the local newpapers, maybe they can do a story highlighting this absurd abuse.

A simple case of too many cooks in the kitchen if you ask me.

Jonathan
 
Jonathon,

That is probably the best course of action. Lex, send your story to the journal news and let them investigate. Why are the police making such a concerted effort? I have been boating on the hudson 3years and have only been boarded once (2 years ago). So this level of acitivity has certainly changed. As a reminder, what do we need on the boat?

Registration
Floatable throw PFD
Flares
Fire Extinguishers
what else?

But what I don't understand is if it was drugs or national security, why are they wasting 20 minutes per boat to write up violations. Wouldn't they just move on to the next boat in search of a "real" illegal activity. To me this seems like simply police harassment and not a real effort to stop drug running or improve national security. I think hogan's right, they need to justify the expense.
 
If it was to stop drug running or improve security, I'd suspect a few things would happen:
1) The USCG would run the mission with help from local departments - not happening
2) Each department would stay within its jurisdiction - not happening
3) They wouldn't issue BS tickets - not happening
4) The presence would be more even over the week. Instead, it seems to be Friday night to Sunday evening...prime overtime hours for LE officials - not happening

Sorry, I just think this is a free-for-all...everyone writing tickets to put gas in their shiny new boat and justify overtime. I'm not buying the security need.
 
Chris,

If you were a cop would you rather:

A) Sit on desk duty answering phones

b) Sit in your police car eating donuts parked in front of the Palisades Mall

c) Go boating, harass nice people, write them tickets to insure that you get to go boating next weekend

Jonathan
 
Exactly Robyn's Nest,

Which leaves us with our only recourse IMO, is to write to the newspapers and let them know what it is - Police Harassment and a waste of taxpayers dollers!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Rugger8

Exactly Robyn's Nest,

Which leaves us with our only recourse IMO, is to write to the newspapers and let them know what it is - Police Harassment and a waste of taxpayers dollers!

Click to expand...


Correct. This issue must be brought to light. Someone call the ACLU.

Like I said, glad I do most of my boating down in NY Harbor/Sand Hook area and LI Sound where it's quiet of Police presence!!!

Jonathan
 
Lex, which dock are you on at White's? I'll stop by and introduce myself. Not sure why you are being stopped so much, but try playing some music while you are on the water, although maybe that's not the reason I don't get stopped! (Hey, are the agencies lurking here too?) I think it also has to do with so few boats being out, it is all they have to do, although tomorrow night might paint a different story.
 
Jonathon,

You are in NY harbor and not getting stopped...hmmmm.... what are they trying to protect up here, the state parks???? I would think NYC is a much more likely target. ok, Indian Point makes sense, park the damn cops there and let em stay there! Again, simple harassment.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Robyns Nest

quote:
Originally posted by Rugger8

Exactly Robyn's Nest,

Which leaves us with our only recourse IMO, is to write to the newspapers and let them know what it is - Police Harassment and a waste of taxpayers dollers!

Click to expand...


Correct. This issue must be brought to light. Someone call the ACLU.

Like I said, glad I do most of my boating down in NY Harbor/Sand Hook area and LI Sound where it's quiet of Police presence!!!

Jonathan

Click to expand...


Good, We will send them your way.
 
Maybe thats why when you call an agency on the radio because of a misbehaving PWC or boater it takes over an hour for someone to show up?

Can't interrupt a safety check right?
 
quote:


Good, We will send them your way.

Click to expand...


Most of them wouldn't be able to handle the rough water and all the boats and confusion down here on a weekend. We have our share of LEO down here but they seem to be all business and can't be pulling everyone over.....except Dan!!!

Jonathan
 
Got my new flares today, for the weekend! Old ones expired in May. Everyone can feel safer now. I'll keep the 3 old one, plus you can only buy 4-paks now, so I have 7 onboard - all of which I hope never to use. BTW, spotted a pack of flares in West Marine that expired in 2005! Check em when you buy em.

After some research, I confirmed that flares are not required. Visual Distress Signals are. Flares are the easiest option. But for about $15 more than replacement flares you can get an electric light which qualifies. It must be specifically approved for this purpose and produce an automatic SOS. Plus you need an approved orange flag for daytime use. (FYI).

I'll consider myself lucky, since I crossed in front of one of the patrol boats sitting under the TZ and only later determined my flares were old.
 
Hello Everyone!

I encourage everyone to re-read my original posting. There have been some comments suggesting the papers should do a story and my point of posting in the first place is to TAKE ACTION and NOT accept the increased level of police harrasment.

I called the Times Herald Record and they were Very interested in doing a story on this! A reporter and photographer came out on the boat with me this past Thursday. A feature story is supposed to run tommorrow Saturday 7/21.

It is important that you take action as well. Call the Journal News and asked them to do a story. Call the NY Times and others. Call your local, state and national leaders and tell them to stop the Police Harrasment.

The police harrasment on OUR Hudson River is a local reflection of the bigger, disturbing trend of more and more police intrusiveness in the "name of security!"
Lex
 
So why don't they do this stuff at all the toll booths for the bridges? How much stuff is moving over them YA THINK?
 
Great Point Dan!

Also, Mannmade, I am on F dock. Stop by and say hello! I am about 7 boats down on the left.
 
Wow, look at all the activism taking place!!!

Seriously, I wonder if there is some real Homeland Security thing going on. I can't believe all this harassment is just police department fund raising. Why would they be so hell bent on making everyone miserable???
 
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