August 05, 2003

Orange County launches patrol boat

By Brendan Scott
Times Herald-Record

On the Hudson River – Sheriff Carl DuBois stood with one foot on the gunwale of Orange County's first river patrol boat and scanned around him.

Boaters. Marinas. Freight trains. Passenger trains. Power plants. Cargo ships. The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.

Numerous points of interest – or possible targets – line Orange County's 18 miles of Hudson River shoreline. And for the first time yesterday, county government had a way to keep an eye on it.

"After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, especially in this part of the world, we can never get enough security," the sheriff told a crowd of police officers and dignitaries moments earlier at the boat's official launching.

Despite the efforts of at least two past sheriffs and increasing police presence in neighboring stretches of the river, patrols were never seriously considered in Orange County. But over the past decade recreational boating has increased exponentially in and around the Newburgh waterfront.

A donated dock and $90,000 in grants from the state and Dynegy Northeast Generation Inc., which operates two power plants near Balmville, put wind in the county's sails. The new 25-foot Parker 2520XL and its two 150-horsepower Yamaha outboard motors arrived last month.

Eight deputy crewmen have been trained and patrols will begin this weekend.

County Executive Edward Diana was aboard. He took the co-pilot seat as helmsman Deputy Jerry Molloy made a quick circuit on the river for politicians and media.

Said Diana: "The water is just a little bit safer than it was yesterday."