Orange Beach Mayor Says ALEA Marine Patrol Is Less Aggressive This Summer

Mayor says ALEA Marine patrol less aggressive following local pushback

After months of hearing complaints from boaters along Alabama's Gulf Coast, Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon is pleased with the results after a meeting with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) secretary Hal Taylor.

"It's been very calm," Kennon told a statewide news outlet. "There isn't near as much activity on behalf of the state and it's more in line with how we do it down here and how other departments do it."

Kennon and Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch voiced concerns about how ALEA's Marine Patrol operated in local waters. Burch went as far as to say troopers were harassing boaters.

Representatives from multiple agencies attended a meeting in May to discuss the issues with Taylor. Kennon said he had support from nearly every sheriff in Alabama when asking for change.

Although he hasn't heard from Taylor since the meeting, Kennon said he believes those changes have been made.

"I wish they had given us a call but if we have some inroads and things are much better, I'll take it," Kennon said. "We understand they made personnel changes and locations and the last few weekends, things have been really good."

Kennon said local and state marine patrols will be watching for violations on the water. However, he wants people to enjoy their time in Orange Beach without worrying about unnecessary boat searches.

In Alabama there are more than 250,000 registered recreational boating vessels. ALEA has to monitor the waters on the coast. lakes, rivers and streams within the state borders.

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