About two weeks ago, my husband, grandson and I had the opportunity to take a ride with the Seattle Police Harbor Patrol Unit. This came about through a purchase I made at a fundraising auction. I’ve always loved seeing how the police work and have ridden along before, but always in patrol cars. This was a first and now my favorite ride along of all.
The sun gods offered us one of the most beautiful days so far this summer, so being on a boat on Lake Union made the time even more perfect.
The two officers who took us out shared all kinds of information about the Harbor Unit and it boggles the mind all the different events they have to be prepared for. Almost every officer in the unit dives, their boats have firefighting capabilities so the officers are also trained in firefighting and of course, they have to be skilled in boating. This is all in addition to their regular police training.
The Harbor Unit patrols both Lake Union and Lake Washington with a fleet of seven boats. Our Seafair celebration on Lake Washington this coming weekend is their busiest time of year.
During our tour, we responded to a call of a small oil spill from a docked boat. Nothing too dangerous, but a frequent occurrence for the Unit.
If you get a chance to ride with a police officer, in any jurisdiction, I highly recommend doing so. It truly is eye-opening.
Oh, a ride along in a harbor patrol boat would be so cool! I’ve ridden in patrol cars as well. Can’t see very well in the dark from the back of a patrol car. 🙂
I ride in the front seat of patrol cars, not the back, Kerri. That’s a totally different issue.
LOL, Heather. The ride alongs I’ve taken have been in the back, and no, I wasn’t under arrest! 🙂