“What’s New in County 22?”

The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office have once again teamed up to support safe boating on the Mississippi river this year.  In 2015, the departments started a combined river patrol.  With an officer from both counties riding in the same boat we can patrol both sides of the river and give better coverage along with saving in wages and cost sharing some expenses while promoting safer boating or recreation.

          Clayton County has 42 miles of river and here are the stats from last year:

9 - River patrols with Crawford County

1 - Special enforcement project

2 – Fireworks projects

5 – Assists other agencies

7 – Checks for boating while intoxicated

5 – Checks for underage drinking

3 – Boats towed in

6 – Assists with boats broken down

1 – Boat on fire call

66 – Boat stops for violations

66 – Boat inspections

9 – Personal Watercraft stops for violations (Jet skis)

Contacts – 294 Adults and 70 children under age 12

Top Violations

37 Violations of “No Wake Zone”

23 Improper registration

21 Reckless Operation

5 PFD Life Jacket violations

2 Lighting violations

This year we will also be working with other agencies in the 2018 Operation Dry Water.  The United States Coast Guard sponsors this and it is special enforcement looking for intoxicated boaters.    We hope to have 2 other special projects targeting underage drinking on the river.  Our intentions are not to be out there writing citations or making arrests.  We want everyone to enjoy our valuable natural resources, promote safety and protect the public.    

          If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me anytime, e-mail me at mtschirgi@claytoncountyia.gov, or stop by to see me.