NRP Reports A Successful Holiday Weekend

Annapolis, Md. (June 3, 2010) – The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) observed a successful Memorial Day weekend as the number of alcohol-related incidents on public lands and waterways dropped by 62 percent, from 60 in 2009 to 23 last weekend. The number of people arrested for operating a vessel while under the influence dropped from 16 last year to nine this year.

“New polices and public awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence contributed to fewer alcohol-related incidents this year,” said Colonel George F. Johnson IV, NRP Superintendent.

NRP also unveiled a new initiative, “Be Cool, Wear It,” to increase awareness of recent legislation that makes it mandatory for children under the age of 13 to wear life jackets while on a vessel under 21 feet in length and underway. During this promotion, which will continue throughout the summer, officers will be giving away coupons for a free Rita’s Italian Ice to any child wearing a life jacket.

“We hope that wearing a life jacket while boating becomes as ingrained as wearing a seatbelt is among drivers of automobiles,” said Colonel Johnson.

Last year Maryland had 17 boating fatalities, and 16 of the victims were not wearing life jackets. NRP reminds boaters that wearing a life jacket is the single most important tool in preventing boating deaths.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov