Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
With warmer than usual water temperatures, Michiganders are spending more time on the water, and as a result, Michigan’s DNR has increased patrols on waterways throughout the state.
During the 4th of July weekend, conservation officers made contact with over 15,000 boaters in 72 hours.
Gary Hagler, Chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement division, said he hopes the DNR’s visual presence will help prevent unfortunate accidents and keep boaters safe.
Conservation officers focused on making sure people were sober while operating their watercraft, and making sure everyone on the water had a life jacket.
Patrol activity numbers from the 4th of July weekend included 15,715 public contacts, 830 warnings, 170 civil infraction tickets, 70 criminal complaints and 45 misdemeanor arrests.
Michigan Conservation Officers are fully commissioned peace officers and provide natural resource protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.
