COLUMBUS, OH - A total of 27 local marine law enforcement agencies and two officers were recognized Wednesday by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) during an awards program to honor exceptional public service during 2002.
Agencies participating in the Marine Patrol Assistance Grant Program provide important boating education and assistance to the public, said Ken Alvey, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. These marine law enforcement agencies and individual officers deserve special recognition for their commitment to waterway safety.
Receiving the Outstanding Marine Law Enforcement Agency Award were the Rocky River Police Department in Cuyahoga County and the Summit County Sheriffs Office.
The Knox County Sheriffs Office and Lawrence County Sheriffs Office received the Marine Law Enforcement Service Award as well as the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District in Muskingum County.
Appreciation Award recipients included the Cleveland Police Harbor Unit; the Toledo Police Harbor Patrol Unit; the Lucas County Sheriffs Office; and the Sandusky Police Department.
Recognition Award recipients this year included the Butler County Sheriffs Office; City of Mansfield-Clear Fork Reservoir; Five Rivers Metro Parks; Hamilton County Sheriffs Office; Henry County Sheriffs Office; Lorain Port Authority Marine Patrol; Lake County Sheriffs Office; Mahoning County Sheriffs Office; Ohio State Parks (Region 11 & 12); Ottawa County Sheriffs Office; Perrysburg Township Police Department; Pickaway County Sheriffs Office; Portage County Sheriffs Office; Put-in-Bay Police Department; Ross County Sheriffs Office; Scioto County Sheriffs Office; Trumbull County Sheriffs Office; and the Vermilion Police Department.
Life Saving Awards were presented to deputies Jim Schell and Todd Reed of the Lucas County Sheriffs Office.
Earlier this year, the ODNR Division of Watercraft awarded $562,000 in Marine Patrol Assistance Grants to local agencies in order to further their boating safety and enforcement efforts. The Marine Patrol Assistance Grant Program is funded through the states Waterways Safety Fund. The fund is supported through boat registration fees and taxes on the sale of marine fuel.
For Further Information Contact:
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6695
-or-
Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882