An Alternative To

The Lake Zoar Authority

To the Editor:

Look for the new logo on the Lake Zoar Authority’s Marine Safety Patrol (LZAMSP) boats this coming season. Prompted by concerned input from some local officials that started in June 2004, the LZA has decided to remove the words “Police” from its two patrol boats and replace them with “LZA Safety Patrol.” Also the LZA “Police Department” will now be referred to as the LZAMSP. Its former “Chief of Police” is now the “Chief of Operations.” It is also learned that the LZA Police Manual has been also given a new title and is or has undergone needed revision.

On January 4, LZA Chairman H. Saad was asked if the LZAMSP would be armed this year. He replied that he “didn’t know.” In early January it was also unclear which town(s) will accept the 2005 liability responsibility for the “armed” LZAMSP in 2005. Some wonder if Oxford and Southbury will continue to support the costly armed LZAMSP in 2005.

D.K. Leff, deputy DEP commissioner, stated (October 4, 2004) that one Connecticut Lake Authority “disbanded their lake patrol (in 2001) and now uses the funding that was devoted to their lake patrol to pay for dedicated patrols by conservation officers from DEP’s EnCon Police.” According to Leff, “These patrols are provided at a cost of approximately $74 per hour per conservation officer.”

DEP services could cost less than what the LZA pays for its LZAMSP whose costs in the following areas: insurance, training, fuel, boat/engine repair and storage, and cable television fees could be eliminated. Having the DEP may also remove a certain type of risky liability from the town(s).

Could the DEP be the solution for those who want a possibly less expensive armed presence on Lake Zoar with lesser liability for the towns?

Anthony M. D’Angelo

18 Cedarhurst Trail, Sandy Hook                            January 19, 2005