Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol officers now patrolling without weapons but still oversee safe boating and certifications

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.  - The Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol has a new look and a change in the way they handle education and enforcement at the waterfront.

Under a law signed by Governor Newsom in 2001 (Senate Bill 2) with key changes taking place now, the officers are no longer carrying a firearm or handcuffs. There is also a uniform change from tan shirt to  navy blue. The officers duty belt will have a communications radio but that's all.

Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol Captain Nathan Alldredge said, "our officers will continue to enforce all boating law enforcement all municipal code down here in the harbor district and in the waterfront  district. The only  change is  they won't be enforcing the  California State Penal Code."

The Harbor Patrol for months has been working with the Police department and various city departments to have a smooth transition. With the passing of a Senate bill, to keep their firearms and to do penal code enforcements, the officers would have had to go through 850 hours of instruction over five months. It would be through the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training program (POST). That would create uniform standards.

The day-to-day operations now will require a 911 call or an emergency radio communication to the Santa Barbara Police Department if there is a crime requiring law enforcement such as a felony or violation of the penal code.   

Police are also regularly active in detentions and arrests in the harbor already on a call out basis.

Alldredge said, "there will be no loss of service whatsoever. What we are going to do is probably standby to get the police to respond with us."

The day-to-day operations now will require a 911 call or an emergency radio communication to the Santa Barbara Police Department if there is a crime requiring law enforcement such as a felony or violation of the penal code.   

The new change has been a coordinated effort for weeks with the City Manager, Human Resources, City Attorney, Waterfront Department, Harbor Commission and Police Department.

Even with this change there's plenty do for the Harbor Patrol officers not only in the waterfront area on the streets and beaches but in the harbor there are 1300 boats they have to keep an eye on.  Alldredge says that includes checking on boating compliance, updated registrations and certifications, and keeping a watchful eye on the always busy harbor entrance full of multi-sized boats and smaller personal vessels. 

There's also around-the-clock commercial fishing fleet.

The Harbor Patrol is also a first responder for medical calls and at times, fires that start on the wharf. They also keep an eye on mammals to see if any are injured or have been attacked. The officers are ready for environmental issues and have an oil spill response plan that has a rapid response from the harbor parking lot with stored gear.

 Brower was on patrol Wednesday and from a Harbor Patrol boat he said, "as you go down the rows you are looking for boats and making sure everything looks normal. (Making sure) boats aren't listing on the  port or  starboard side which could indicate their taking on water."

Alldredge said, "we're a safety preventative force.  All of officers are Coast Guard licensed boat captains, emergency medical technicians,  lifeguards, ocean rescue, marine firefighting. We wear many many hats down here."

The harbor patrol goes outside of the harbor to the boats anchor east of Stearns Wharf and  responds to emergencies to the west by Shoreline Park on a regular basis.