MP Patrols

[webmaster]

DoTheMath, do you have a specific complaint or are you just bashing?

[DoTheMath]

I can think of two instances (one for noise mind you :rolleyes: ) that I was personally involved in that were handled with total and careless disregard on the part of the MP. I can't begin to tell you how many I have been witness to that just reinforce the need to bring on REAL, not "part-time" law enforcement officials to do this job. An 18 year old with minimal training and a big ego just doesn't cut it on the lake any more. I have been on the lake since I was 10 months old, (I'm 35 now) and with the changes that have taken place over the years, there is no way that job should be left to a group of part-time amatures these days! I am not "bashing" - (I have better things to do with my time), I am calling it like I see it. If we are going to have laws and enforce them, we need to have it done by full time law enforcement personnel! Next time you have an hour or two to kill, get in a boat - or just go sit on the end of the dock at Weirs beach on a Saturday and watch the antics of the 100's of boaters going in and out of the channel and see how the "mall police" handle it, it's scary!
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CRF450

[tricia1218]

Paying just over $11.00 an hour, good luck finding full time proffesional law enforcement for the job. I don't know where you live but police charge at least $200.00 a detail where I live.

[JDeere]

I do think it is time for NH to hire full time permanent people for the job of MP. I have no idea what those people would do in the winter but I suspect NH could figure that out. If it is budget issues then raise the cost of boat registration. A few extra dollars out of a boaters pocket is well worth a trained, permanent and professional MP staff.

[DoTheMath]

I live just west of Boston in the burbs... and my feeling on it is, take an assortment of State Police and let them sign up for the duty - if they want it - and pay them their regular rate. This would be their "job" for the summer months, much like a motorcycle cop. I find it hard to believe that there is anyone out there of sound mind that finds the current state of the MP satisfactory. That entire organization needs to be reevaluated and revamped, bring in the real deal and manage it accordingly. I'd even pay extra on my property taxes, or move for some reallocation of current funds(being on the water and not using the schools up there) to help fund the effort. Or - in addition - maybe have the state generate a seasonal "pass" for vacationers (non-prop. owners) when they come up for a week or two, $25 per week per boat added to the launch fee. And hit the boat rental places - $25 per unique rental passed on to the customer, you know they will hit something and need the help of the MP's at one point or another... :rolleyes:
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Suzuki DR650S

[webmaster]

If you want to criticise a Lakes Region business, agency, service, etc. here that's fine as long as you are specific and reasonable.

I won't allow this Forum to be used for gratuitous bashing. Your opening comments came close.

[Skip]

Ahhhh, time to bash the Marine Patrol again...regardless of the facts.

Let me try to deflate a few myths constantly posted here...and usually anonymously.

First, the part-time issue. New Hampshire is a small state with a limited police presence. Seems most people up here like it that way. A good portion of the sworn 6,000 officers in this State are part-time. Some are young men & women (at least 18 years of age) just breaking in to the profession. Most are gainfully employed full time elsewhere, and do the job for the sense of satisfaction it gives them. Unlike the thousands of volunteer firefighters and EMT's that protect the State for free, these individuals get a small sum for their efforts.

The Marine Patrol is no different demographically then the dozens of other police departments across the State. A part-time MP may be a full time college student, a regular police officer or firefighter, a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse or a mechanic. Believe me when I tell you that the personnel of the New Hampshire Marine Patrol are a mirror image of the people they are sworn to protect and serve. They hold all types of "regular" civilian jobs, are of both sex and vary vastly in age from the young to the retiree.

And because there are dozens of men & women willing to do the job for the pay they receive, because of their love of the profession (and the ubnderstanding of their family and friends) boating remains and enjoyable and affordable pursuit in New Hampshire.

Do they sometimes make mistakes? Sure....don't you? Remember, no one likes getting caught doing something stupid and many people have difficulty admitting they've done wrong, including me. When you read the anonymous posts here decrying treatment people have received at the hands of an MP just remember the mindset of the indivdual at the time of the contact. Ever watch a few episodes of Cops? Those traffic stop tapes are really an eye opener as to how some people behave when caught in less than fortunate circumstances.

I wish the MP's had more resources. Newer equipment. More personnel. Better pay.

But what I wish the most for is that more people would appreciate, understand and respect the sometimes thankless job these folks do on a daily basis to keep fools like you and me safe on the water.

Bash the Mp's all you want. These men & women are dedicated professionals....no matter how many hours they put in a week, and no matter how well you try to distort their mission, dedication or motivation. Regardless of your criticism they will be there tomorrow, next week or next year to keep us all safe. And regardless of your ignorance, they'll always be there to pull your butt out of whatever jam you manage yourself into.

Sorry Don....had to get that off my chest!

[Jan]

Ahhh...a voice of reason. Thanks Skip!

And thanks to the MP for being there for us even though you are underappreciated and underpaid.

[NBR]

Three Cheers For Skip

[DoTheMath]

I have to disagree with a good chunk of what I have just read. For starters, "gratuitous bashing" - I wasn't even close! Come on Don, re-read it and you'll see for yourself. I was being fair and objective - and reasonable - and speaking from personal experience. How tight do you want to "police" this forum, to the point that anyones opionon that may be just the silghtest bit strong, you're going to toss?

Secondly, sure we all make mistakes. Growing up summering on this lake for the last 35 years you will be hard-pressed to find anyone that respects the lake, the people and all that it represents more than I do. I could sit here and spout off about my experiences with the MP, and say what you want, if I had one encounter on tape - Mr. MP would have been out of a job that day! Being about 30 at the time, I bit my tounge, took his crap for about 45 min. and parted ways. I contacted Mr. David Barrett over it all and he basically told me it was our word against the MP's and to hang it up and go home. Didn't even want to hear about it! Now, you tell me - professional organization, whatever! It went so far as to involve the management of the marina that the incident took place at, they backed me on the deal - and still nothing!

Skip, I don't know who you are or why you have your opionion as you do, but like mine it's not all-together right or wrong, it's just your opionion. I happen to like the small-town feel of the lakes region, and the people that live and / or own a second (or third) home up there are great! But I genuinely believe that the MP as a whole needs to be revamped, as it falls short in several areas. I am not misinformed, I am not ingnorant and I am sure not hiding behind anything. I don't go around "breaking the rules and then get caught and get all bent out of shape". I have refused to have good friends back up to my house to visit for tossing the slightest bit of trash overboard, I have no trouble "policing" myself and my company. To call what is there now professional and right, is just wrong.
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BMW R1100RS

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by DoTheMath

I have to disagree with a good chunk of what I have just read. For starters, "gratuitous bashing" - I wasn't even close! Come on Don, re-read it and you'll see for yourself. I was being fair and objective - and reasonable - and speaking from personal experience. How tight do you want to "police" this forum, to the point that anyones opionon that may be just the silghtest bit strong, you're going to toss?

I'm not going to debate my moderation of this Forum. I didn't "toss" you or your messages. I just tried to encourage you (and others) to be specific when you criticize. I don't intend to step in often to this new Forum but if I feel "gratuitous" (unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified) bashing is taking place I will first give a warning, as I did.

Now please, back to the subject at hand.

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by DoTheMath

...sit on the end of the dock at Weirs beach on a Saturday and watch the antics of the 100's of boaters going in and out of the channel and see how the "mall police" handle it...

Interesting, I did just that one day. Wife & I were enjoying a weekend at Weirs and while sitting on the motel balcony noticed a boat with a flashing light next to another boat just about 200 yards off the docks. I figured it was the MP. I noticed how all the boats headed for the channel slowed nicly and proceeded well spaced at headway speed to and through the channel. About 20 minutes later the flashing light was gone. The sight of boats now racing to see who could get to the channel first was quite a sight. The boats tied to the docks were really rocking now from the waves. It seemed to this tourist that the presence of one MP boat with a flashing light did a lot to improve manners, even if only for a short time. There should be more of them, imho.

[Kona Bay Girl]

sit on the end of the dock at Weirs beach on a Saturday and watch the antics of the 100's of boaters going in and out of the channel and see how the "mall police" handle it, it's scary!

The MP stopping those 100s of boats in the channel is similar to highway patrol stopping everyone who speeds. There's almost no way to control boating traffic in Meredith and Laconia -- 1000s of boats versus a small patrol that has to cover 72 square miles makes it rather hard to control anything in general. While the multitude of boats are spread out across the lake, so is the Marine Patrol. Generally, the MP has to serve somewhat of a double duty; they have to protect all who enjoy Winnipesaukee's waters as well as taking care of the lake itself. Things such as feeding the ducks or showering in the lake, foolish as they may sound, also have to be watched out for. I give the Marine Patrol a lot of credit; they can't exactly be in one spot at the lake at all times. Unlike a roadway, Winnipesaukee doesn't have yellow lines marking it up, save some markers and no-wake signs.


We got pulled over last year for speeding. Of course, it was 6 mph on a No Wake zone, but it was just nonetheless. And silly.

Who's just about ready for summer?