Quote:
Originally posted by kjbathe
How exactly is this neighborhood watch program by recreational boaters going to deplete Marine Patrol? The last time I checked, my local police department came under no additional pressure when my neighbors and I started keeping a better eye out for misdeeds in our neighborhood.
If I'm reading Airwaves correctly, if/when recreational boaters are educated on ways to keep a better eye on the lake it's going to create a big whooshing sound caused by MP officers getting sucked to the coast? That kind of thinking is why we don't let you vote in NH
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This is not exactly like looking out your window and calling the Cops.
As I understand the Homeland Security mandate New Hampshire will have to develop and implement programs in which recreational boaters keep watch on coastal vessels.
The New Hampshire Marine Patrol will be required to develop the program, implement and enforce it as well as monitor coastal recreational boats.
The Homeland Security mandate is to make sure recreational boats are not a threat and can be used as a "Neighborhood Watch". That means NHMP, not Homeland Security, needs to inspect, board and make sure that "we" are not a threat and can be trusted at all times.
How is this going to effect Lake Winnipesaukee? The bulk of the NH Marine Patrol boats and crews are on Lake Winnipesaukee. So now that Homeland Security has added additional responsibilities the NH Marine Patrol boats and crews will be needed to patrol, monitor and interact with coastal boaters. Some of those additional Marine Patrol boats and crews will come from Lake Winnipesaukee. Because NH does not fund the Marine Patrol from the General Fund (taxes) funding comes from boat registrations. Those registrations are likely to remain stable or drop because of the economy so we are asking the Marine Patrol to do much more with less funding.
So, let's add the new Homeland Security mandate to the proposed Speed Limit bill! These additional mandates will divert Marine Patrol boats and manpower from safety patrols on Lake Winnipesaukee to radar posts and patrols along the coast.
That leaves Lake Winnipesaukee with fewer Marine Patrol boats helping to maintain safety on our lake.
There is no additional funding coming the way of the Marine Patrol. So given the increase in costs...gasoline for one...even level funding is a cut. Now we're going to add two additional mandates and expect that things will remain the same? I don't think so.
No whooshing sound.
Homeland Security trumps. Fewer Marine Patrol Boats and crews patrolling on Winnipesaukee because of the Homeland Security mandate, and fewer still because of radar posts. Add them up (or actually reduce tne number) and we get a less safe lake.