City Officials, members of the Police Department, and members of the Hampton Ponds Association gathered at City Hall to recognized the Westfield Police Marine Patrol Division Thursday evening. (Photo by Peter Currier)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield Police Department’s Marine Patrol Division was recognized Oct. 24 by Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, who offered a citation for the unit’s efforts in keeping Hampton Ponds safe.
Sullivan said that residents around Hampton Ponds had been complaining of people abusing the ponds and making it dangerous to use due to speeding boats. In 2014, the Westfield Police Department was able to purchase a used boat now dubbed “The Patti Andras,” named after a former city official.
“This really started because citizens of our world up there at the ponds were looking for some help,” said Sullivan, “The help was that there were people speeding in their boats and not respecting the ponds as much as they would have liked. So they needed another set of eyes.”
The Patti Andras, the marine patrol boat that patrols the waters of the city’s North Side. (File Photo)
Sullivan compared the situation to pond weed removal. He said that, as is the case with the weeds, if they stop patrolling the ponds, those who abused the pond would take the opportunity to continue to do so.
“The one year we don’t do it, it means the weeds are all coming back,” said Sullivan, “It’s the same thing with Marine Patrol.”
He added that he hopes the next mayor continues the use of the Marine Patrol in the ponds.
Sullivan recognized City Councilors Mary Ann Babinski, William Onyski, and Cindy Harris for their support for the project.
Police Chief Lawrence Valliere applauded the city for creating the division.
“It goes a long way for us,” said Valliere.
During the ceremony, a collage of pictures of the boat before and after it was cleaned and re-purposed was passed around the audience.
