| Name: |
sagetek
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/8/2008 6:35:49 PM
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The kids (if 30 is a kid) had the pontoon out again Saturday. They came upon a boat that had run aground on a sandbar. They couldn't get close enought to render aid, so they remembered passing a Marine Police boat a short time earlier. They went back and found the MP boat, who was inspecting another boat. They reported it to the officer, who they said (I was not there to see) gave them a dirty look, and said he was too busy at the time to render any aid. He would get over to the boat "later" if he had time. So, what are they really there for?
I'm just interested in any comments anyone has on this.
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| Name: |
DroughtBuster
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/8/2008 7:23:19 PM
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You have to remember, half of them are there to serve and protect. The other half are there for a pay check.
GS
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/8/2008 8:09:18 PM
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Think of it this way. If you came across a car that had run off the road and gotten stuck in the mud, and went and got a policeman that was busy with another situation, would his duty be to drop everything and go try to pull the car out of the mud? Of course not. He would call whatever wrecker service was on call that day and send them to the scene to render aid, at the motorist expense. Why would one expect any different from the Water Patrol? They are here for law enforcement, not to be good Samaritians and water wreckers. Although they act as good Samaritians in many instances, that type thing is over and above their duty.
Since you mentioned no injuries I can only assume there were none. That would be a different situation, which I am certain would have gotten a different response.
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| Name: |
Blue Creeker
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| Subject: |
What did you expect the...
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Date:
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7/8/2008 9:51:26 PM
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...MP to do?
Oh, he'd done what your kids coulda done.
Tie a rope to the stuck boat...pull it off sand bar.
Ain't rocket surgery.
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| Name: |
Laker
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| Subject: |
What did you expect the...
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Date:
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7/8/2008 10:12:55 PM
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Thats kinda what I was thinking Blue. Im sure between the two boats enough rope could have been produced to get the job done.
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
What did you expect the...
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Date:
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7/8/2008 10:19:28 PM
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Wish I'd have been there. I'll bet the CAT could have pulled them off!
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Sagetek-Hats off to Your Child
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Date:
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7/8/2008 10:45:33 PM
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You obviously raised a fine young man or lady and I applaud their efforts that since they thought they could not provide assistance they were at least diligent enough to take the time and make the effort to try to locate the Marine Police they had seen earlier.
So I applaud their efforts and would strongly encourage you to encourage them to do the same thing the next time as that is what we need in our society ---- more folks that are willing to at least make the effort to assist another party in distress. Not that most lake folks do not make such an effort, but I would suspect most young folks would not.
With regards to the Marine Police Officer, I would think a boat stuck on a sand bar is probably not on the top of their priority list, but you would think they would at least try to go by and assist if they could and thank your child for his/her efforts. Just my thoughts at least, but I could be wrong.
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| Name: |
Summer Lover
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| Subject: |
What did you expect the...
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Date:
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7/8/2008 11:10:42 PM
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Reread the post carefully CAT, they were looking for someone to pull the boat off the sandbar, not pull the transom off the boat. :-)
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| Name: |
Blue Creeker
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| Subject: |
30 is young? Since when?
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Date:
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7/9/2008 12:18:36 AM
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It isn't like these were teenagers.
I wouldn't expect a teen to stop.
I'd hope they would..but wouldn't expect it.
30 year olds pull boats off sandbars.
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| Name: |
Thomas Paine
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| Subject: |
Actually, it's:
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Date:
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7/9/2008 2:45:30 AM
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The Marine Police Division's mission is to enhance safety and promote responsible use of resources on Alabama's waterways though enforcement, education and community activites.
Straight from their website. I don't believe I've ever seen the "serve and protect" thing on their vehicles or boats. Isn't that an old Dragnet slogan anyway?
I would surmise that a government agency can't be all things to all people all of the time.
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| Name: |
Bob
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| Subject: |
Actually, it's:
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Date:
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7/9/2008 8:13:10 AM
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Based on what I have seen the only way the MP would dare go near is if they thought they might be able to write them a ticket. So had your kids gone by and said that there was a boat full of 50 year olds, sipping wine, and arguing over the last life jacket (one too few)...I am certain that the response would have been more aggressive...think SWAT team here...
This post was in jest so don't freak out...I love me some cops...Brother is one and Dad was one...
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
Actually, it's:
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Date:
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7/9/2008 9:23:43 AM
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..just a microcosm of America today. Always turn to the government for the solution to any and every problem. Forget personal responsibillity and accountabillity. The masses turn to government first, looking to the 'nanny state' to provide for them from womb to tomb. Presumably you had two boat loads of people that didn't attempt to solve the problem, yet ONE MP officer is expected to come to the rescue. Sad IMHO.
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| Name: |
crappyattitude
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| Subject: |
It's incredible!
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Date:
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7/9/2008 10:11:02 AM
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I was at my local lake this past weekend and rendered aid to a disabled boater who had no....zero....rope with them at all to be towed with. They had a paddle...but....no rope. I don't know about ya'll...but a paddle just doesn't do much good on a 19' Donzi runabout. Luckily I am pretty anal about supplies and I pulled him in from about a mile away. Ya'll have a great day!
Crappy : )
Just outside of Nashville
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| Name: |
boataholic
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/9/2008 12:22:13 PM
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Pontoon stuck on a sandbar? Were the people on the pontoon boat too elderly or handicapped to get off onto the sandbar and push it off? Why couldn't your kids get close enough to lightly beach their own boat and render help? Sounds to me like two boat operators who need a lesson in beaching and un-beaching a pontoon boat. Pick a sandy, isolated beach and intentionally land your boat. Great fun can be had!
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| Name: |
Mack
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| Subject: |
It's Rare
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Date:
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7/9/2008 12:27:01 PM
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that any stranded boater must wait very long for help on Lake Martin. I've towed boats several times and seen others do the same many times.In my 18 years on LM a helping hand goes right along with a smile and friendly wave. Rarely see that on a highway, do you?
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| Name: |
crappyattitude
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| Subject: |
sure would be nice!
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Date:
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7/9/2008 12:35:38 PM
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Nothing but rocks and mud here!
Crappy : )
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| Name: |
Landlocked
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/9/2008 1:32:07 PM
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Sometimes you can get them out without even getting wet. Just throw some big wakes their way and they'll come off, sometimes.
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/9/2008 4:08:01 PM
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Usually all you have to do is have everyone move to the rear of the boat and the front end raises right off and away you go. That was my point earlier, two boat loads of folks, but they expect one MP to be able to fix it. We have a tow service on the lake now, IMO all the MP should do is call them. I bet if faced with a bill for services rendered, someone would have figured something out.
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| Name: |
sagetek
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| Subject: |
Sagetek-Hats off to Your Child
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Date:
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7/9/2008 6:09:48 PM
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Thanks,
They could not get close enough, in their opinion, to get a LINE to the other boat, as it was well aground without possible damage to our pontoon boat. The other boat was a ski boat, not a pontoon. Dragging a fiberglass hull over rocks or whatever invites problems also. They went to the MP as a source of possible help they could give the aground boat. Obviously they were not aware the MP are on the lake only to enforce boating laws and give tickets. Not like State Troopers you see all the time changing tires, etc.
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| Name: |
CindyA
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| Subject: |
FAQ from website
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Date:
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7/9/2008 7:05:23 PM
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well, according to the website for the FAQ of Marine Police in Alabama...
"The Marine Police Division is responsible for public safety on the State's waterways and registration of pleasure vessels. The officers of the Division have full police powers and are an integral part of the State's law enforcement community. Officers patrol their assigned area to prevent accidents, enforce boating safety laws and assist the boating public. Their routine duties include enforcement of boating laws, investigation of boating accidents and drowning, search and rescue, preparation of court cases and testimony, and conducting boating safety education programs. The Division maintain year-round patrol of the waterways and expects and encourages it's officers to work cooperatively with other law enforcement agencies."
I would think that helping someone stuck on a sandbar would qualify as "assisting the boating public"
If nothing else, go by and make sure someone does not do anything silly and then call the tow service that is on the lake.
There were two people that drowned at Lake Lanier due to inexperience and trying to get a pontoon boat off a sandbar.
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
Sagetek-Hats off to Your Child
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Date:
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7/9/2008 8:23:48 PM
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I have NEVER seen a Trooper change a tire.
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| Name: |
JIM
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/9/2008 9:27:31 PM
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Most of them washed out at the Police Academy.
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| Name: |
jhau
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| Subject: |
Sagetek-Hats off to Your Child
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Date:
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7/10/2008 8:27:44 AM
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I have. A trooper stopped and helped my wife change a tire on I-85 between Auburn and Montgomery a couple of years ago.
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| Name: |
Tallyman
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| Subject: |
Kill switch
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Date:
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7/10/2008 9:49:38 AM
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I would have expect the MP to go the grounded boat and ticket them for failure to wear their kill switch lanyard while aground.
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Like
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Date:
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7/10/2008 1:31:16 PM
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A bolt of lightling out of the sky! Jim you crack me up....
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| Name: |
Broke Point
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/10/2008 4:42:17 PM
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Ok, here is the correct answer:
http://www.alabamalaketow.com/
Check their web site out!
URL: Lake Tow Service on Lake Martin
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| Name: |
sagetek
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| Subject: |
Can't resist.............
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Date:
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7/10/2008 6:31:25 PM
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At the time, that internet address was as useful as telling a drowning man they sell life jackets at Wal-Mart!
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| Name: |
realfast
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/11/2008 12:28:14 AM
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I don't have totell everyone how the weather was Fri. night before the fire works. But i will tell you what i saw across from the sailboat club. a couple of boats ran aground one was a cabin cruiser that was anc. before the storm that broke lose in the wind and was blown on the rocks before the people could get the boat started. a poontoon went out and pulled it off after several people stoppped but drove off. The second boat ran aground with two elderly people on board and a 40'ish man. This is when the WATER PATROL was easing around the bank with his spot light on as if he was looking for something. When he saw this boat in distress he cut off his spot light went directly behind the island and beached his boat. At this point the same pontoon went out and once again pulled the second boat off the rocks. never did the water patrol offer to assist or attempt to assist. I know if a State trooper or a city patrol they stop and assist. I have never seen a water patrol assist or offer any kind of assistance. I do know of them leaving a sinking boat in the youngs island area one fourth of July. I personally think they are here to assist and serve not just to ticket and collect. With all the gas thefts on the lake you would think they might ride around the public ramps and see who had extra fuel cans in the back of trucks !! ( HINT HINT) If they are the law of the lake.
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| Name: |
Broke Point
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| Subject: |
Can't resist.............
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Date:
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7/11/2008 6:37:34 AM
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Can't resist either... but the advertisement was in the Lake Martin publications... if you read them. Good to know but again, you have to be aware of what is happening around the lake to be able to take full advantage of most situations that arise.
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| Name: |
DaBurglar
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| Subject: |
Marine Police-Serve & Protect?
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Date:
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7/11/2008 4:30:40 PM
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I once called the Water Patrol to tell him someone was camping across the lake and the liter was unbeleivable, and would they check it out. They told me that they actually had to see him littering before they could do anything and they never came to look at it. About 1 week later the gentleman caught the woods on fire and I called the fire department. No one was interested in the hull number to the person you did this. well, about 3 days later the fire popped back up so, I went over myself and used 5 gallon buckets hauling water till I was sure it was all out. Now we get to look across the lake at burnt trees...
Thanks Water Patrol
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| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
Sagetek-Hats off to Your Child
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Date:
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7/11/2008 4:44:44 PM
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I have seen troopers help change tires several times over the years......I've also seen them give a bunch of tickets (and unfortunately I'm the recipient of a few) : (
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| Name: |
lakerlady
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| Subject: |
Sagetek-Hats off to Your Child
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Date:
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7/12/2008 12:24:39 PM
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I have. When my daughter was a majorette at AU she was on her way home for the Thanksgiving break when she had a flat, a Trooper pulled over to check on her.The Trooper changed her tire, said War Eagle and sent her on her way.
On my way back up here after going home to attend my Uncles Funeral this past Thursday I saw a trooper changing a tire for an elderly couple.
I agree this probably not the norm, but it does happen.
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