CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
As part of an effort by the Corpus Christi Police Department to respond to crimes on the water more quickly, they have established a new Marine Patrol Unit.
The new unit, which will be out on the water this coming Labor Day weekend, is made up of two officers, veteran patrolmen Josh Swain and Jon McGinley. They are now adding the title of Marine Safety Enforcement Officer to their resumés.
Crime around the city doesn't only happen on land. A number of burglaries are actually committed by boat, by those prowling the canal waters looking for an easy score.
The officers were in action along the Packery Channel Wednesday. They were demonstrating what they will be doing a lot of the times, out on the water, teaming up with agencies like Texas Parks and Wildlife.
The officers will be working to uphold our local ordinances out on the water, something state and federal agencies aren't always able to do.
"We're taking ownership of our beach," Swain said. "We know this is a problem. We figured with our love for the water, with our love for scuba diving and fishing, this is one way we could give back to the community."
"It's a portion of Corpus Christi that we've had difficulty enforcing," McGinley said. "Any crimes, any fatalities, any injuries; that's our responsibility. To take action prior to them occurring. We're looking to be out on the water before something happens."
The new marine patrol unit was trained and certified by the State Wildlife Department. They will work every case imaginable, including people complaining about boaters playing loud music, to handling drunks out on the water.
The CCPD hopes that, over the coming years, this marine patrol unit will be expanded. That's because there is plenty of coastline for those and many more officers to monitor.
The department also hopes to have its own boat in the future.
