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| Bal Harbour gets new boat to fight crime on high seas |
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| Bal Harbor police officer, Alex Alvarez, stands in front to the department's newest purchase. |
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| Photo BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN Special to The Miami Herald |
RODOLFO ROMAN / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD
Bal Harbour is upping the ante when it comes to fighting crime on the high seas: The police department has purchased a new 35-foot Seahunter boat with 250-horsepower Yamaha twin engines.
''This boat could handle any type of condition,'' Police Chief Thomas Hunker said.
The Bal Harbour Council unanimously agreed to use $100,000 from police forfeiture funds to pay for the boat at its meeting last month. The boat, from Miami-based Seahunter Boat Company, will replace the department's 26-foot Nautica, which was traded in along with a seized boat.
The new boat, which was on display at the Miami Boat Show last month, is valued at around $180,000. It was delivered to the village Feb. 20.
Hunker said the new vessel will help police officers protect residents and visitors who take to the village's waters.
''The Haulover cut is dangerous,'' he said.
``On the weekend, the cut is like I-95 during rush hour. We have a lot of jet skies, kayaks and swimmers. Safety is our priority.''
The dry-riding vessel is customized for law enforcement with a center console equipped with night lights that will make it easier for officers to catch crooks at night.
Police officer Alex Alvarez, who helped research several boats before Bal Harbour made a final decision, is one of eight officers who will be operating the vessel.
''This boat will allow us to go offshore. We feel a lot safer in this one because the handling and construction is better,'' said Alvarez, an avid fisherman.
Alvarez said the boat is typically used for outdoor fishing and reaches a speed of 55 miles per hour.
In recent years, Bal Harbour has had several cases of human smuggling of migrants from Cuba and Haiti, as well as smuggling of drugs, Alvarez said.
''The boat is intimidating,'' he said. ``Once they see us, they won't want to run away from us.'' |
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