BELLE ISLE, Fla. — Belle Isle police’s marine unit is patrolling Lake Conway during Labor Day weekend as hundreds of people are expected to be on the water.
Police said marine units will be out during the holiday weekend, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Officers said the goal is to keep people safe while allowing boaters to enjoy the holiday.
“Our number one concern is people getting home safely. Like, we want people to have fun out here and enjoy the holiday weekend,” said Douglas Kimberlin, a marine unit officer with Belle Isle police.
Kimberlin said officers will watch for common safety issues, including people not wearing life jackets on personal watercraft and boaters going too fast in congested areas.
Labor Day is typically one of the busiest holiday weekends on Lake Conway, police said, bringing more boats, more people and a greater potential for accidents.
Police are reminding boaters to have the proper safety equipment, monitor the weather and never drink and drive.
“We want to avoid that, especially on a busy weekend like Labor Day,” Kimberlin said.
Belle Isle police said patrols will continue on Lake Conway during the holiday weekend.