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Rocky River Police Marine Patrol |
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| Summit County Sheriff's Office |
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| Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District |
COLUMBUS, OH - The Rocky River Police Marine Patrol and Summit County Sheriff’s Office were among 26 marine law enforcement agencies from across the state recently recognized by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for exceptional public service to boaters during 2004.
Both police agencies received Outstanding Marine Patrol Awards during a special ceremony held Wednesday in Columbus. The awards recognized the highest level of service to Ohio boaters by agencies participating in the Marine Patrol Assistance Grant Program.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), which conducts marine patrols on eight eastern Ohio lakes, received the Marine Patrol Service Award for its active assistance with ODNR enforcement and education efforts. The MWCD is Ohio’s largest conservation district, spanning an 18-county region.
Appreciation Awards went to Five Rivers Metro Parks of Montgomery County, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Lorain Port Authority, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, Port Clinton Police Department and the Toledo Police Harbor Patrol Unit.
Recognition Award recipients this year included:
- Butler County Sheriff’s Office
- Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
- Henry County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol
- Huron Police Department Harbor Patrol
- Lake County Sheriff Marine Patrol
- Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department
- City of Mansfield - Clear Fork Reservoir Police
- ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation Regions 11 & 12
- Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol
- Perrysburg Township Police Department Marine Patrol
- Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office
- Portage County Sheriff’s Office
- Put-in-Bay Police Department
- Ross County Sheriff Department
- Sandusky Police Department Marine Patrol
- Scioto County Sheriff’s Office
- Vermilion Police Department
In April, the ODNR Division of Watercraft awarded $541,000 in Marine Patrol Assistance Grants to help support local agencies in their boating safety and enforcement efforts. Along with state watercraft officers and the assistance of other boating partners such as the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons, these combined efforts resulted in Ohio’s safest boating season ever, with a record-low of seven boating-related fatalities in 2004.