Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Wednesday, February 9, 1977, page 27 (of 36)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Even on rainy, dreary days boat patrol cruises canals
By ANA MARIA ALVAREZ Staff Writer. Tuesday was a cold dreary day to go boating, but that didn't stop Officer Harvey Davis from taking out the City of Coral Gables' 26-foot Slick Craft. Davis is one of two Coral Gables Police officers who has boat detail. When Davis and Officer Dock Bryson are on duty, they head for Dinner Key where the larger boat is kept, or to the Gables canal where they dock the smaller 21-foot vehicle. On a day like Tuesday, when everything is quiet and the waters are practically deserted, Davis cruised the 36 miles of canals and bayfront areas. Although the boat patrol is undoubtedly more serene than regular police patrol, the water is one of the main avenues used by burglars. The primary function of the Marine Patrol unit is to prevent burglars from using the waterway. Most of the 18-square miles of waterway are bordered by residences—and for the most part are the more affluent homesites in the city. The sliding glass doors and screened porches in many homes and easy access from the water to these properties is definitely tempting to the would-be burglars. So are the outboard motors, fishing rods and radio equipment in many yachts, sailboats and power boats docked throughout the canals and bay areas. Gableites whose home border the waterways perhaps take for granted that the officers on boat patrol can easily recognize their homes from the rear—but its not that easy. Only a handful of residents have their house number written on their property so that it can be easily seen from the water. "Some homes are easily described in case something happens and I have to alert the street patrol," said Davis. "But these people should have their house numbers on the back. It would make our job a lot easier." Enforcing the six-mile per hour speed limit throughout the waterways is also the job of the boat patrol. "The six mile speed limit is so that boats docked along the canals don't get banged against the seawall from waves caused by speeding boats," said Davis, an avid boater recently named Officer of The Year. Just recently, a young Gables teenager was killed in a boating accident. The youth was traveling about 30 to 40 miles per hour when he ran into another boat head on, said Davis. It was the second serious boat accident in the Gables Waterways in about three years. "Parents don't give their 12 and 13-year-old children the keys to their automobiles, I don't understand why they give them the keys to these high-speed boats," said Davis. In addition to burglaries and traffic problems, the Marine Patrol is also responsible for more than half of Biscayne Bay, and on busy days are out there helping stranded boaters. Davis and Bryson usually patrol the area alone, and double-up only once a week. They have no set times to cruise through the waterways, but they do so seven-days a week during the day or night. "It's a whole different thing out here at night. The waterway and residences look completely different and you would be surprised at the number of boaters, fishermen and what have you out here in the evenings," said Davis. Other police officers claim the Marine Patrol is probably the best job on the force. They are probably right. After a morning of cruising through the beautiful Gables canals, S. Dixie Highway, with all its bustle and traffic, can surely seem like a jungle. Officer Harvey Davis is one of two Coral Gables police officers who daily patrol the water byways.
Candidate favors leaving police at present level
Bruce Lehr . . . youngest candidate. From Page 1. a pre-med degree at the UM, would like to see all Gables restaurants have smoking and non-smoking sections. In addition, he is in favor of leaving the police and fire departments at their present level. "They have provided excellent service to this community and I wouldn't want to lose that service by experimenting and cutting down on the number of personnel," he said. The 6-foot-2, 200 pound former semi-pro tennis player with the New York State Circuit, feels the city could attract more business by having a young mayor. "I have great respect for the current government and all the things they have done in the past, but I feel I can bring the Gables an even brighter future," he said. According to Lehr, there are more eligible voters at the University of Miami than the number of residents who voted in the last municipal election.
Commission approves annual Plantarama
From Page 1. ance that would permit the installation of boat davits at his home, 55 Arvida Parkway to have a setback of less than nine feet from his property line, instead of the 30-fooot setback required by the Zoning Code. Approved a request made by architect James E. Ferguson, to provide nine planters in the Valencia sidewalk at the Coral Gables Federal Savings & Loan Building. Approved a request by the Miracle Mile Association for their second annual Plantarama.
PHILBRICK
"The Cost is a matter of Your Own Desire" Effective Date November 18, 1976. FROM $250 $547 $642 $737 $832 $938 UP** COMPLETE Funeral Cost Index The PHILBRICK Funeral Homes. Includes, services, facilities and motor equipment *CLOTH COVERED WOOD **STEEL Cremation Crematory Scattered at Sea xx xx xx Cost. $150 to $185. W.L. & J.E. PHILBRICK, L.F.D. 446-1616 CORAL GABLES 893-3110 MIAMI SHORES.
WASHINGTON FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION
ASSETS EXCEED $650 MILLION NOW IN CORAL GABLES AT 520 BILTMORE WAY PHONE: 444-5071 CONVENIENT OFFICES TO SERVE YOU IN MIAMI BEACH • CORAL GABLES • BAY HARBOR ISLANDS • NORTH MIAMI BEACH • HOLLYWOOD • BOCA RATON. Jack D. Gordon President. Arthur H. Courshon Chairman of the Board. FSLIC. EQUAL HOUSING LENDER.