MP Patrols

[GWC...]

Initial post: ***** You'll know the training when you see it, it will be the group of kids being dropped off & picked up by their parents at the docks. They are too young to drive but the NH MP has no trouble giving them a few hours of training and then sending them out in a boat to make out water-ways "safer". *****

Follow-up post: ***** Actually, I didn't see anything, that was a joke... as in wink-wink- nudge-nudge. *****

Another follow-up post: ***** 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? *****


You'll know the training when you see it, it will be the group of kids being dropped off & picked up by their parents at the docks. They are too young to drive...

Actually, I didn't see anything...

For starters, "gratuitous bashing" - I wasn't even close! I was being fair and objective - and reasonable - and speaking from personal experience.

Are you sure?

[Long Bay Guy]

Just wrong! I think they do an excellent job. My experience with them has been limited. In spite of having a “go fast style boat”, I have never been pulled over. I have met several officers and always found them to be knowledgeable and pleasant. Several years ago my wife was injured while we were swimming off the back of my boat (1997 or 1998 I don't remember which), the first one on scene was a young MP officer (I think he was around 22 years old), he was very helpful and quick to summon the medical help we needed. He stayed there the entire time (helpful as it kept the wake down from passing boats). We were very happy that he was available and responded so quickly.

I happen the like the way we do things in NH (having lived here most of my life). Sure we lack many “big city ways” but that’s why I live here. Part-time Police, Fire, etc., seems to work well. If it isn’t broke…

[DoTheMath]

GWC~ Nice way to edit and twist my post, but no! You obviously missed my point, did you notice this guy ----> at the end of the sentence? That was my humorous way of pointing out one of the largest short-commings in the MP system, the way it is run and by whom. The good ones out there I can count on one hand an have a finger or two left over. Tim Dunleavy is a perfect example of what an MP should strive to be, (and no we are not related or even friends, that's just from my dealings with him in the past, on and off the water). However I still believe that it should be turned over to the State Police, made a full-blown division of the SP and handled accordingly.

Think about it people, with the way things have changed over the last 30+ years, can you HONESTLY say that the MP is even close to sufficent, as it has not changed - to speak of - to keep up!? You really need to think outside the box a bit. It has nothing to do with big city vs. up-country ways, it has to do with protecting the lake as a resource and the people that enjoy it. I don't see the current set up being near sufficent to handle the changes... and that is speaking from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
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[JDeere]

DotheMath may be unjustly harsh.........or more likely he was trolling to stir the pot but the fact is MP would be better served by a higher paid year round force.



People get better at their jobs with experience and the current system makes it difficult for someone to do that. No bashing here. I respect that work that MP does. But I would prefer that they were a stronger presence then they are today.



I believe MP would say the same thing.

[DoTheMath]

JD ~ Nope, wasn't trolling to stir it up, and yeah I guess it would be considered a bit harsh but as you can tell, it is difficult to infer inflection in a forum environment. Not to mention I feel pretty strongly about this subject, can't you tell!? Thanks for your (partial) support, makes me think that there is more than just one of us that thinks the MP is inadequate (overall) as it currently stands.

Happy boating to you all, I'm looking forward to another great summer season!!
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[Lakegeezer]

On general purposes, there should be less security forces. The MP does a great job of protecting people from real dangers, but they are not dealing with the yahoos. To accomplish that, they need heavy hands and those skills are expensive. In the past three years that has been an increase of paranoia in society overall, and the result is a lot more surveillance. The lake is somewhat an oasis from the police state. Don't change it.

[DoTheMath]

LG~ VERY good point - it's not the quantity, it's the quality and right now the quality (overall) is hurting.
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[Just Sold]

Well, I guess everyone has taken a swing at the MP. If you remember the question that started this tirade (at times) it was not how good a job they do but when they are on the lake after ice out. I answered "frdxplorer's" question to the best of my knowledge and some of you took it in a completely different direction.

From that some people took it to make a stand on the ability, age, maturity, capability, who does what etc. of the NH Marine Patrol and the WEB MASTER was right to interject at times today.

I have seen the patrol on more than just one body of water in NH. They are not always there when YOU see something that needs attention and sometimes they are there. No different than the State Police, County Sherriff or local police. I have found that all of our NH police officials are very helpful but if you give them an attitude as so many do today then they react to that. Maybe it is not a perfect response because they are human too. They are not perfect.

We have a younger Marine Police because of the pay but that holds true for most of the police forces in the state. The majority are young.

I have known State Police officers, a County Sherriff and a number of local Chiefs and finding good quality officers is always a problem and the money offered is never enough. They do what they can with budget constraints as everyone does.

Give our NH Marine Patrol officers a chance to do their job and when you need them they will be there.

Remember the statement: "As we get older they look younger and younger all the time." I have to remember this as my 24 year old son is a full time fireman laying his life on the line every day here in NH.

[madrasahs]

Originally Posted by Long Bay Guy

If it isn’t broke…

Sorry, but it is broke.

Fifteen years ago, the MPs were up to the job; now, however, they've been swamped by too many clueless boaters/Jet-Skiers.

I've had to "call off" the MPs when too much time elapsed between my initial call and the:

1) drunk Jet-Skier and unwilling/underaged/drunk female passenger
2) two small boys in two unlighted boats after dark
3) "go-fast-style-boat" has completed filming his two Jet-Ski buddies jumping his offshore's wake.
4) serial "flasher" in a power boat.

(And that's just what I can recall right now from last season!)

Unfortunately, NH has allowed too many people who want to violate too many rules a "free pass". Boaters and Bikers who couldn't get away with their "antics" in M............ Ma........... [their nearby home state]... do it at Lake Winnipesaukee.

As another has mentioned here, I haven't met one MP officer that wasn't courteous. There's just not enough officers to meet the demand of responsible boaters who want to be safe and left alone.

[Skip]

I have waited several hours to see if the MP detractors would post verifiaable evidence of their claims of malfeasance on the part of the MP.

I have waited in vain.


I also find it amazing that the reason by another poster for motorcycle and boating infractions is negligence on the part of "the State".

Wow, I have never seen "the State of New Hampshire" riding a motorcycle or driving a boat!

We are the problem, not the so called "State". It is out inability as a society to behave appropriately when not in the presence of a law enforcement official that causes many of the problems cited daily on this site.

Isn't it amazing that some among us truly beleive that if a Marine Patrol officer cannot be stationed in every cove, at each dock and throughout every channel in Lake Winnipesaukee....that the "State" is then failing us?

There is an old saying that simply states to be careful what you wish for, you may get it. Methinks that could very well apply in the case of Winni if it was flooded with an inordinate amount of law enforcement officers. And when you redirect your limited resources (like State Police) from the highways & byways of the State, who is now to protect those same roadways,,,which are much more dangerous?

Don has been patient enough to let me respond twice to this topic. I have definitely used up my .02 worth of bandwidth.

I will close with the fact that I know law enforcement in this wonderful area first hand, as some of you have already guessed. I know that the men & women of the New Hampshire Marine Patrol are highly qualified individuals that do an outstanding job with the limited resources they have at hand. And while I sometimes let unsubstantiated negative posts to the contrary get under my skin , I take great solace in the belief that vast majority of the responsible individuals frequenting this site ( and the Lake) share in my opinion of these dedicated individuals that make our Lake as safe as they possibly can!

[DoTheMath]

Don ~ Fair enough, your court - your rules, I can respect that.


Skip~ Very lucid statement. As I had mentioned already, I do a fine job of "policing" myself, my family and friends when it comes to the lake, and all that is involved. All of my friends that have places on the lake are the same, they know it is a "limited" resource to some extent and it needs to be protected for now and the future. As a waterfront property owner, I have the utmost repect for the lake and all that encompasses it. However, as times have changed over the years - and they have changed, a lot - the process of maintaining it and protecting it grows exponentially. All I am saying - in a nutshell - is that the PROCESS of how things are done, ie. unregulated boat rentals, countless jet skis operated with no restrictions with regard to ability, (to name a few) needs to be addressed. And the largest issue I see at this point is how the MP is to handle it all. It is human nature to just see a cop on the road and "behave", is it not? Why is it that we do not allow drinking and driving in a car, but we do in a boat? But, if you get caught boating & intoxicated it has repercussions back to your drivers license? (And no, I do NOT have personal experience with that, but I know people that do...). Everyone is quick to support the system as it is, but if you look at it from outside the box, it needs help. Do we do a combination of "part-time" deputy MP's and a set of State Police to round out the mix? Do we add a "fee" to the boat registrations - everyone is so against fees but if it helps the lake to be a better place and all...? Do, we add a section to our property tax for the homes that are in towns that surround the lake maybe, an extra $.20 per thousand assesed value to help fund the MP, or a new "system" to support & preserve the lake? Maybe if we change the rules of the game before the players hit the first tee, we won't have to rely on the MP so much!? I have often said that there should be an organization of lake-front homeowners who work in conjunction with the state & the MP to do our part to make the lake the best place it can be. If there is anyone that has the same feeling, step up to the plate and lets help out!!! I don't know the correct answer in this, but I am always willing to pitch in... I don't want the lake to loose it's charm and appeal that brought my family here over 60 years ago as a vacation spot, but it needs some help, in a lot of ways and I don't see it getting better. Squam Lake has done a fine job of preserving it's heritage, it's our turn to do it here.

Public safety and school teachers should make more than they do, no question - (I know plenty of both) and they hit it hard everyday! They educated us, they shape our childrens future, and they protect & serve all day - every day! There is always a better way to do things, it just takes a bit of time, effort and some good ideas...
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[Skip]

I will break my own rules and make a final reply...

You're last post is 180 degrees opposite of the previous 8 posts you made on the subject where you ridiculed and denegrated members of the New Hampshire Marine Patrol, all without a shred of evidence to support your claims (claims that others showed were false).

Anyway, someone made a very good point. They offered a bit of advice that I think would heed you well in your future posts to this site....let me reprint it for you;

...There is always a better way to do things, it just takes a bit of time, effort and some good ideas...

If only I could remember who offered that pertinent and timely advice!

[.:Wakeboarder180SS:.]

Um.... last summer, we were in a boat (thats me driving, and my dad chilling somewhere aft (and I'm only 13 with a Mass. Cert.)) They NEVER stopped me EVER-- we passed them like 5 times. Even one time we were in the Channel, we were goin into Paugus and we passed each other. There were 2 guys- one with a Coke waving to us, and the other vegging out with his shoes off, and they looked about 18. What we were surprised at is-- nobody cared that some little kid was driving a boat! Never stopped us or anything, thats scary-- I could've been some psyco kid that has problems with setting fires or playing bumperboats on the lake (no im reely responsible and careful tho dont u ppl worry ) And, MP, if ur out there-- Im not disclosing my name! :-X
u guys need some more emoticons lol Great new look webmaster!

[DoTheMath]

Originally Posted by Skip

I will break my own rules and make a final reply...

You're last post is 180 degrees opposite of the previous 8 posts you made on the subject where you ridiculed and denegrated members of the New Hampshire Marine Patrol, all without a shred of evidence to support your claims (claims that others showed were false).

No Skip - read it again. People here were not paying attention, or just seeing it as they saw fit and one person even decided to twist my post up and make it look much different than it was. I still think that the current state of the MP is BROKEN! This is based mainly on the PERSONNEL that make it up. I have two very specific instances that I was DIRECTLY involved in (over the last 5 years) that substantiate my stand on this. Not sure who it was that "showed my claims to be false" but please point them out to me...? I am offering an objective opionion on a situation that is not getting better and needs some help. However, feel free to maintain your stand, you are welcome to that, but DO NOT degrade my feelings on this because YOU feel the need to play judge and jury. As I said before you have your opinion - it is not right or wrong - it is just your opinion, much like mine.

And for those of us - like me - who have no idea who you are, what makes you such a staunch supporter of the current system? Are you on the MP, related to an MP or just as passionate about your side as I am about mine!? If you are asking me to support my end of this thread, maybe you can step up and support yours?

If you want all the dirty details of what happened, I would be happy to share them with you, but I refuse to air it here - no need to eat up Don's memory & bandwidth so you can be satiated by it.
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