TOP officers will better isle

The Beach Patrol sees its part in the development and sustainability of tourism for the island as being tourism ambassadors for the island’s No. 1 attraction.

The first and sometimes only contact a beach visitor has with a city representative is with a lifeguard. Their first and lasting impression of our community is how protected and maintained the beach is.

The Park Board Police Department augments the operations of the Galveston Island Beach Patrol and fits under its umbrella. The intent is to expand the capability of Galveston’s lifeguard service and support lifeguard operations by focusing on beach- and water-related enforcement issues the Galveston Police Department might not have the time, manpower or specialized ability to address.

The Galveston Park Board Police Department is in no way intended to replace any of the duties of the Galveston Police Department, but instead is meant to augment and support the GPD, particularly in its beach and marine duties.

The Park Board Police Department’s duties also include supporting beach tourism and assisting in the protection of the natural environment. The recently created Tourism Oriented Police is funded by excess convention center money and is a subset of the Park Board Police Department. It is designed to support tourism by preventing littering, educating the public and addressing minor enforcement issues on the beach front and seawall.

The TOP program will run patrols throughout 10 months during the year. During times of high beach use, patrols will be done primarily on the seawall using mountain bikes, but might also cover the sand, adding to the good work the Park Board Security Detail already does at the parks and all the good things done by the Galveston Police Department.

TOP officers will be a resource for tourists and will give out tourist information as well as educate the public to the importance to protecting the coastal environment. In addition to their law enforcement, medical and lifesaving gear, they will carry a tourism tool kit. This kit will include brochures about Galveston, water safety information and “gimmies” for children.

When on bike patrol, officers will cover the seawall but will go on the sand when necessary for enforcement or educational issues. When the Galveston Police Department deploys its bike patrol, the Park Board Police TOP officers have the option to patrol the sand on four-wheelers as an alternative.

Our intent is to make sure the program is of the highest quality possible in order to enhance the tourists’ and locals’ experience on the beach. The priority will be on education and support as opposed to enforcement. That said, the plan also includes a field training program with the Galveston Police Department. This will improve relations and coordination with the GPD and will allow us a chance to repay all they do for us by augmenting its operations while ensuring our officers have the experience and training necessary to handle the enforcement issues that will invariably arise.

At the end of the day, it’s all about supporting Galveston by enhancing the tourists’ and locals’ experience.

Peter Davis is chief of the Galveston Island Beach Patrol. The views in this column are Davis’ and do not necessarily represent those of the Beach Patrol, Galveston Park Board of Trustees or any other entity. Information on the Beach Patrol is at galvestonbeachpatrol.com.