The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Department Marine Patrol operates five boats on the major waterways of the county, including the Canal System, Cayuga Lake, Cross Lake, Owasco Lake, Skaneateles Lake, and Lake Ontario.
Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck says while patrol officers have the power to write tickets and make arrests, the unit prefers to educate operators about marine law and safe operation.
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Part-time seasonal officers and civilians patrol waterways
The Marine Patrol is staffed by part-time seasonal police officers and civilians who pair up on each patrol to not only perform law enforcement functions but to offer safety checks and assistance to the many who use our beautiful waterways for recreation or sport.
Agency Cooperation
Patrol officers work closely in Fair Haven on Lake Ontario the U.S. Customs, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, and their Auxiliary.
Snowmobiles
The Sheriff’s Office maintains and has trained operators for our 3 snowmobiles along with a fully outfitted enclosed trailer for various details throughout Cayuga County often working in conjunction with local Snowmobile Clubs and the New York State (NYS) Forest Rangers. We are also capable of assisting in various search and rescue operations.
Four-Wheelers
The Sheriff’s Office maintains and has trained operators for our 3 four-wheelers which can be deployed for patrol on the County’s network of trails and public lands. They are often utilized to patrol the County’s shoreline in Sterling as well. They are most frequently utilized to assist in various search and rescue operations or to track fugitives.
Listen to my full Inside the FLX conversation with Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck below.
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