Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch is working on a boater's rights campaign after another year of hearing from concerned citizens about one or two officers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division.
"I don't look at it as enforcing the law, I look at it as harassing boaters," Burch said on FM Talk 106.5 with Sean Sullivan.
While he understands the need for law enforcement to ensure people's safety on the water, he believes some incidents are unnecessary.
"I guess the most egregious things that someone gets stopped for is making a wake," Burch explained. "You know, that is so subjective. Every single boat design drafts differently and you know, my boat being a tri-toon, it doesn't make hardly any wake at all."
Burch said that while he doesn't like speaking against another law enforcement agency, he and other boaters are sick of these troopers pulling over boaters in a "checkpoint" style.
"I hate to be in opposition to another law enforcement officer, but it's also my position to protect people's constitutional rights as well," he explained. "That's my primary job."
The sheriff said he isn't sure what the motivation is but that "there's just a couple of guys that are doing it."
Burch said he had to get lawyers involved with the campaign, which will include social media and a television commercial. He will also put pamphlets out at restaurants and marinas. He said from now on, there will be sheriff's office boats in the water to educate boaters about their rights and pass out pamphlets, koozies and keychains.
ALEA's director of external affairs Amanda Wasden responded to a media request by 1819 News with the following statement:
In response to the statement made concerning Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division “harassing” boaters, it’s important to clarify the role and responsibility of the ALEA Marine Patrol Division. The primary mission of ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division is to ensure the safety and compliance of all individuals on Alabama’s waterways. This includes enforcing state laws that address critical issues such as boating under the influence (BUI), minor in possession of alcohol, and the enforcement of no-wake zones.
The enforcement of these laws is essential not only for protecting individuals from dangerous behaviors but also for fostering a safe and enjoyable environment for all who use Alabama’s waterways. It is important for the public to understand that the work of ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division is focused on safety, education, and law enforcement.
ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers are responsible for enforcing laws on Alabama’s waterways. Interactions between vessel operators and ALEA Troopers occur to ensure safety on the water and stops are made based upon reasonable suspicion or probable cause. If a vessel operator is stopped by an ALEA Marine Patrol Trooper, it’s because a violation has been observed, and they are taking action to address an issue in order to maintain and preserve public safety on Alabama waterways.
We encourage educational materials on boaters’ rights, as well as efforts to educate citizens on the laws of Alabama as it relates to boating and waterways. Boating rules and regulations can be found here: Boating Rules and Regulations | Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
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