City Councilmember Pedersen’s Ride Along With Harbor Patrol

Councilmember Alex Pedersen out on patrol with the Seattle Harbor Patrol

The Seattle Police Department Harbor Patrol keep the great expanses of waterways and shoreline in Seattle safe, all from their base of operations on the Fremont-side of Gas Works Park. Located in Seattle City Council District #4, the Seattle Harbor Patrol base sits in the area overseen by City Councilmember Alex Pedersen.

As the Seattle City Council weighs decisions regarding public safety and a fiscally responsible budget, Councilmember Pedersen has been talking with citizens (including those of color,) Captain Brian Stampfl (the new leader of the SPD North Precinct, and others influencing these decisions. He’s also gone on a ride along with a seasoned police officer, and taken a full tour of the Harbor Patrol.

The Harbor Patrol, among its many duties, does help with fire fighting, on boats, in marinas and on the shoreline

While out on the water with Harbor Patrol, Councilmember Pedersen saw the expansive shores of District #4, along with the Terry Pettus Park, Gas Works and Magnuson Park. The waterways that surround our City require monitoring, and the Harbor Patrol also provide a highly-trained staff of rescue divers for keeping our citizens safe under the water.

Due to these conversations and information gathering, Councilmember Pedersen has submitted an amendment requiring a report on items including how budget reductions would impact response times of the entire police department, including Harbor Patrol. Suggestions have been made that the Seattle Fire Department would take over authority of the Harbor Patrol, and Pedersen has asked how the Fire Department would take on the necessary functions of this skilled squad.

Harbor Patrol currently:

Provides marine law enforcement, rescue and assistance
Investigates water-related accidents and collisions
Manages and performs surface and dive search-and-rescue
Enhances boater and swimmer safety by removing debris and water hazards
Performs boat safety inspections (including life jacket enforcement)
Provides service for disabled boats, and tows
Provides marine fire response and suppression
Provides U.S. Navy exclusion zone protection and enforcement
Manages marine special-events including: Opening Day of Boating Season, the Lake Union 4^th Of July celebration, Hydroplace racing during SeaFair, and assorted Northwest regatta and racing events

While maintaining an extremely conservative amount of equipment and vessels, the Seattle Harbor Patrol have carefully maintained and calibrated boats for patrol and safety.

While Councilmember Pedersen, who represents District #4, went to visit and learn more about Harbor Patrol, this agency actually patrols waterways in Districts #2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The Seattle Police Department Harbor Patrol is not required to patrol the Puget Sound waterway, on its own.

For more information on City Councilmember Alex Pedersen, contact him. He wants to hear from you at City Hall. Send an e-mail directly to the Councilmember at Alex.Pdersen@seattle.gov, or to all 9 Councilmembers at council@seattle.gov. He recently acknowledged that the Council have received an unheard of volume of e-mail this summer, so those who have not received a response can be assured that they still have made an impact – and Councilmember Pedersen wants to hear more. He is available for Virtual Meetings during In-District Office Hours, by phone or video call. Visit the Councilmember’s website (click here,) to sign-up for an appointment!