‘Port police making waves (July 11, 2008)
By Renee Worthing
Staff Writer
Kennebunkport police have a new vehicle at their disposal – a 21-foot Action Craft boat, received from the Department of Defense’s Reutilization and Marketing Program.
The program allows police departments to acquire equipment that is considered “in excess” of the needs of the Department of Defense, Kennebunkport Police Chief Joseph Bruni said.
The boat, two motors and a Boat Master trailer were brought to Maine from Florida.
“The boat was gutted,” Bruni said, and he credits Deputy Chief Kurt Morse and Matthew Pasquale from the Kennebunkport marina with renovating the boat.
He said the men went online to sites such as eBay to purchase – and swap – boat and engine parts.
“The cost of picking the equipment up in Florida to launching it was $6,200,” Bruni said.
He said funds came from the police department’s budget during the past two years.
“I’m very excited about this,” he said.
Bruni said the boat will be used primarily for public presence near the shore, such as Goose Rock’s Beach and may be used for rescues close to shore and near the islands.
“Just this past week a kayak overturned on Goat Island,” he said. “The fire department did a phenomenal job, but if we had had the boat then, it could have been that much easier.”
He said he hoped a police presence on the water would “bring more sensibility to boaters.”
While the boat will be used to enforce boating laws, he said it will not be used to monitor the activities of fishermen and lobstermen.
He said two Coast Guard certified captains on the police department will man the boat in addition to a third officer.
“They are very familiar with maritime laws and the water,” Bruni said.
He said use of the boat will occur when there are enough officers on duty so taking officers off the street would not affect citizen safety.
He also he has a “mindful eye” on the department’s fuel budget.
“If we are using the boat instead of two cruisers, it should even out,” he said.
He said the boat will not be used seven days a week.
“We might have three or four hour details once or twice a week,” Bruni said. “Right now we’re just putting our big toe in the water.”
Staff Writer
Kennebunkport police have a new vehicle at their disposal – a 21-foot Action Craft boat, received from the Department of Defense’s Reutilization and Marketing Program.
The program allows police departments to acquire equipment that is considered “in excess” of the needs of the Department of Defense, Kennebunkport Police Chief Joseph Bruni said.
The boat, two motors and a Boat Master trailer were brought to Maine from Florida.
“The boat was gutted,” Bruni said, and he credits Deputy Chief Kurt Morse and Matthew Pasquale from the Kennebunkport marina with renovating the boat.
He said the men went online to sites such as eBay to purchase – and swap – boat and engine parts.
“The cost of picking the equipment up in Florida to launching it was $6,200,” Bruni said.
He said funds came from the police department’s budget during the past two years.
“I’m very excited about this,” he said.
Bruni said the boat will be used primarily for public presence near the shore, such as Goose Rock’s Beach and may be used for rescues close to shore and near the islands.
“Just this past week a kayak overturned on Goat Island,” he said. “The fire department did a phenomenal job, but if we had had the boat then, it could have been that much easier.”
He said he hoped a police presence on the water would “bring more sensibility to boaters.”
While the boat will be used to enforce boating laws, he said it will not be used to monitor the activities of fishermen and lobstermen.
He said two Coast Guard certified captains on the police department will man the boat in addition to a third officer.
“They are very familiar with maritime laws and the water,” Bruni said.
He said use of the boat will occur when there are enough officers on duty so taking officers off the street would not affect citizen safety.
He also he has a “mindful eye” on the department’s fuel budget.
“If we are using the boat instead of two cruisers, it should even out,” he said.
He said the boat will not be used seven days a week.
“We might have three or four hour details once or twice a week,” Bruni said. “Right now we’re just putting our big toe in the water.”
Comments