With Florida leading the nation in boating deaths, the latest episode of the Shop Talk with the Sheriff podcast focuses on the Broward Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit. On this episode, Sheriff Gregory Tony is joined by BSO veterans Sergeant Matt Perricone and Deputy Alex Beer to discuss how this specialized unit, which encompasses BSO’s marine patrol and dive rescue team, safeguards Broward County waterways.
“The majority of the marine patrol’s obligations on the interacostal are boater education, law enforcement, rescues, boating accident investigations and quality of life issues,” Sgt. Perricone said.
Responsible for 23 miles of coastline, 300 miles of navigable inland waterways and canals and more than 500,000 acres of Florida Everglades, the unit also provides support in areas of enforcement and security, including human and narcotics smuggling, port security, rescue of manatees and security for the U.S. military during offshore training exercises.
“We are a community police force that is out there keeping a visible patrol,” Deputy Beer said. “We provide education to the public on how best to operate their boats and, if need be, issue citations if the violation is egregious enough to warrant it.
“Warning and education is really the focus of what we try to get done.”
Listen to Sheriff Tony’s conversation with Sgt. Perricone and Deputy Beer on the latest episode of Shop Talk with the Sheriff for free here or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Pocket Casts, iHeartRadio, Breaker, Overcast, RadioPublic and Castbox.
