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

Erica Thomas • June 12, 2025

Mayor says ALEA Marine patrol less aggressive following local pushback

Gulf Shores Marine Police

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.


RELATED ARTICLE:  Officials With Orange Beach and Mobile Meet With ALEA About Marine Patrol Complaints


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.


  • gulf shores news

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
Add As GOOGLE News Source
  • news in gulf shores

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • port at zekes

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • saunders marine gulf shores

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • yabbas snack shack

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • freedom boat club orange beach

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • buzzcatz coffee

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Recent Posts

Gulf Shores Airport Road
By Gulf Shores News Staff • September 27, 2026
A major road extension project along Waterway East Boulevard in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is approaching full completion following two completed construction phases. Funded entirely by a RESTORE grant
Kratom is Illegal in Alabama
By Gulf Shores News Staff • September 27, 2026
Investigative authorities at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) are looking into the deaths of two college students after packaged, store-bought kratom was discovered at both scenes.
Toast For The Coast Gala
By Gulf Shores News Staff • September 26, 2026
CoastAL Orange Beach is preparing to host its first-ever Toast for the Coast, a premier black-tie fundraising gala designed to bring together community leaders, conservation advocates, local businesses, and coastal supporters.
Show More