The Lake County Council voted Thursday to defer the purchase of a $770,060 boat for the Lake County Sheriff’s Department because it would like more information about the need for a new boat.
Lake County Chief of Police Vincent Balbo told the council recently that the department has two boats to monitor 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline from the state line to Porter County.
But, the one boat “is aged” with high mileage, Balbo previously said, so it is “critical” that the department purchase a new boat. Department representatives have looked at a number of boats, he said, some as expensive as $1.5 million, and Balbo recommended purchasing a $770,060 Metal Shark.
“This purchase is imperative to Lake County citizens and their safety and security,” Balbo said.
Sheriff Oscar Martinez said in a statement that the department’s current boats are a 1994 Silver Ships 35-foot Endeavor and a 2013 Silver Ships 29-foot Ambar. The Endeavor’s top speed is 30 mph, and the Ambar’s top speed is 50 mph, he said.
The new Metal Shark boat, which can reach 60 mph, would replace the Endeavor, Martinez said.
Councilwoman Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, said the price of the boat doesn’t bother her as long as the money is available. But, Cid said she doesn’t have enough information about the new boat or the current boats to make a decision.
Councilman Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, said that while he’d like to approve the items the sheriff’s department needs, he also has to remain fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars. Dernulc said he’d like more information about potentially selling or trading the old boat to lower the cost of the new boat.
Councilman Charlie Brown, D-Gary, said the price of the boat shocked him.
“I’m opposed to spending that level of money without backup information about the condition (of the boat), the frequency of using the boats, how many times has one or two boats that we have been involved as a first responder to drownings or accidents,” Brown said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department did not respond to request for a response on the deferral.
Martinez, referring to the Great Lakes Surf Water Rescue Project, said at least 16 people have drowned in Lake Michigan so far this year, 11 of those drownings occurring in May and June. Last year, there were 56 drownings in Lake Michigan, he said.
This year, the department’s Marine Unit performed 772 patrols, including Homeland Security patrols and checks of the Port of Indiana, beaches and other areas, Martinez said. Also, the department has responded to 16 calls for boaters in distress, eight of those calls required towing, he said.
“This vessel is specifically built for the challenging and rapidly changing conditions like those we experience on Lake Michigan,” Martinez said.
