Cops Crack Down On Inebriated Boaters On Labor Day
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – In an effort to promote safety on the water on the final day of the Labor Day holiday, officers from a nearly a dozen different agencies were out in force checking for boaters under the influence and looking for violations, like speeding through no wake zones.
Some boaters stayed out until early evening Monday enjoying the last hours of sunshine on the water before Labor Day came to an end.
Monday morning marine units from every Miami-Dade coastal city along with the Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) saturated the popular boating areas.
At least four arrests were made.
"It's very calm," said boater Nancy Arencibia. "People are either tired of the summer, or everyone's just trying to be safe."
City of Miami fire boats took CBS4 out on its patrol to one of the most popular spots on weekends and holidays--Nixon Beach.
"These big parties on the flats with DJs. It's just now something we deal with on a weekly basis, rather than three or four times a year," said Key Biscayne Police Chief Charles Press. "We discussed sharing resources at least once a month and trying to go out there and really put an end to some of the real chaos that can happen on our waters."
On Sunday, one man was arrested after police say he took part in a fight on a sand-bar known as Nixon Beach in Biscayne Bay.
"It was a lot of people, about 20 people, actually fighting in the water," said Lizette Campos. "It was kind of scary."
She said police quickly stepped in.
"It could be a disaster, to be honest with you," said Campos. "I think (I) felt safe. I think the police was ready."
The law enforcement agencies have also set up boating under the influence (BUI) checkpoints in an attempt to cut down the number of boating accidents.
On Sunday, several people were given field sobriety tests at the command post. Three were were arrested, accused of operating a boat under the influence.
"What we're trying to do here is show the boating community that if you're going to do it, do it safe and do it responsibly," said Press.
By adding extra manpower on the water, police hope to prevent accidents like we've had earlier this year.
In May, 23-year-old Ernesto Hernandez was caught in a propeller of a boat in Nixon Beach. The boat was operated by local radio personality, DJ Laz.
On Fourth of July, four young people died after the boat they were in crashed into a second boat, sending various people into the water.
"What we're trying to do here is show the boating community that if you're going to do it, do it safe and do it responsibly," added Chief Press.
Press said he hopes the task force can patrol once in a month, not just on big holiday weekends.
READ: BUI Crackdown Over Labor Day Weekend
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