Abay.com - Has 9/11 Ruined Our River ?

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Has 9/11 Ruined Our River ? - Friday, July 27, 2007 at 10:36:06 PM

Thanks to the 9/11 Attack our River is just not the same place. Don't get me wrong, it is still beautiful out there, but between the Border Patrol, Coast Guard, Park Police, Troopers, and whoever else it is getting out of hand.

It has gotten so bad it is seriously affecting the amount of people that come to our town via the river.

You can pretty much forget about going out on the river at night without getting stopped. You can't go to lake of the isles at night and tie up for a swim and a few beers. You can't come back to the Bay from Swan Bay later in the day without being stopped.

I know a lot people that no longer come downtown via the river at night because they don't want to deal with all the law enforcement.

WE ALL KNOW THERE HAS TO BE INCREASED BORDER SECURITY BUT EVEN SO...

IF YOU'RE NOT DOING SOMETHING WRONG AND YOU'RE NOT CROSSING THE BORDER AND YOU'RE NOT DOING SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS YOU SHOULDN'T GET STOPPED NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF THE DAY IT IS.

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT IT OR A STORY TO SHARE PLEASE DO SO.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LIVE RIVER CAM !!

Comments

Comments by ''Alana'' from United States on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 9:56:40 AM - IP Logged

Just a correction to a comment made, The USCG has been in A-Bay since the late 60's and before that their station was near Cape V. It would be nice if everyone could agree but that is never going to happen. Also it would be nice if the world never changed but 9/11 happend and life everywhere is never going to be the same. Get used to the change and respect those who serve their country, they are the ones that scarifice nigths, weekends and hoildays for your freedom to run your mouth. I grew up on the river, I learned to drive a boat before I was 10 but with that at any age comes responsiblity and the risk you can get pulled over whether you are local or not! Its time to grow up and except life the way that it is and stop calling each other names and pointing fingers. The River is a wonderful place so go out and enjoy it.

Comments by ''Abay Local'' from United States on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 8:42:09 AM - IP Logged

There are plent of morons on the river and Law Enforcement should have more than enough to do pulling over the people being stupid. That being said leave the people obeying the laws of the river the f**k alone!!

Comments by ''cry me a river'' from United States on Thursday, August 09, 2007 at 7:11:08 PM - IP Logged

How about we stop bitching about the people that are out there protecting you 24/7 365 and start showing them some respect. You mean to tell me that you are going to bitch and whine about stricter enforcement of BWI laws? As a born and raised local I'll tell you straight out they aren't strict enough! If you knew anything about boating laws you would know that there is no law against drinking on a boat, but the driver can't be drunk,and that's bad how? Take every drunk boater off the river you can USCG, that is less idiots I have to worry about running into me and my family while truly enjoying the river. And stop bitching about law enforcement driving away tourists, it's the fact that the streets are full of drunken idiots wearing penis costumes, the shops are run down and gas prices are high. Every time I come home it's the same drunks in the same barstool telling the same story waiting for winter unemployment. Time to wake up A-bay! Pathetic I'm embaressed to say I grew up there.

Comments by ''B-Rad_Jingles'' from United States on Thursday, August 09, 2007 at 2:18:58 PM - IP Logged

our family has a camp on the river in chippewa bay. i can rember when we could go out fishing all day with some friends have a few beers and not have to worry about comming back to the local dock and gitting questioned by border patrol. this has happened to me many times! come on now the more the enforcement that comes around is going to make me stop going out on the river that i love doing more then anything. the USCG never used to be around in these areas and if they were it was because someone called them or they were just passing by on the channel.

Comments by ''J.T.'' from United States on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 at 1:01:27 PM - IP Logged

I actually know who the tour boat captain guy is. He is pretty much retired from that business now and in his tour boating career he never ran into another boat nor did he work for the place where that happened so stick that information up your high horse and smoke it.

Comments by ''henry'' from United States on Monday, August 06, 2007 at 10:28:18 AM - IP Logged

to the tour boat captain referring tothe rules of the road in regards to the coast guard sitting with there lights off, first i am reitred coast guard and they can do that they're rules of the road are justlittle different so you might want to get your info straight. also referring to rules of the road for you tour boat captains didn't on your catpains crash into the back of a tour boat last year, impressive. The coast guard does not have quotas like the state police or park police or local police all they have is a job to do. all you people know is what you see or want to believe you want to know what they really are doing, join thn you will stop complaining. the law enforcement is not ruining this town it is the GAS PRICES, and all the old timers running this sh*t hole who will not put any money into the town, the town resembles the 1950's. so quit blamming the law enforcement and starting blamming the gas prices and your old ass town thatneeds a face lift

Comments by ''Alana'' from United States on Saturday, August 04, 2007 at 10:34:08 AM - IP Logged

Just to give the accurate info, the USCG does have guotas and in the 217 yrs the USCG has existed they have had quotas, please give correct info if you are going to run your mouth. I am very proud of my service and my husbands to our country, can any of you say the same! Also if anyone wants to argue with me I am from the Bay and I am now stationed in Oswego so come find me and make your comments to my face. Thank those who are preserving your freedom!

Comments by ''Jasper'' from United States on Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 11:52:55 AM - IP Logged

"Cali" you're an IDIOT. Nuf Said.

Comments by ''Jimmy Hubert'' from United States on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 9:31:22 PM - IP Logged

I have been stopped twice this year (so far) at night. zero, nothing to drink... both times. that pisses them off. Our Coast Guard treats us like criminals.. They dont even let me put my fenders out. Same little short guy both times. This guy is suffering from the worst case of short person syndrome I have ever seen, his attitude is the worst. Making comments about my boat just shows his jealously for his bad decisions he made in life. They are breaking the law out there floating around without lights on. Six (6) Coast Guard employees in one boat is a total waste of tax payers money. Only they know how many illegal boarder crossers they have caught we will never know. But, i'm sure it is not a high number. What a waste of money.

Comments by ''flkk'' from United States on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 6:10:58 PM - IP Logged

if the coast guard is really trying to protect us from terrorists gaining entry into the country why the hell do they just sit out in front of the bay all night. do they think that the terrorists only go from rockport to the bay, because that is the only route that they know how to patrol. it is a worthless effort on their part to think that they are acctually keeping anyone out that wants to gain entry. all that they are really accomplishing is the harrassment of the law abiding locals that just want to enjoy the river. there is a large amount of the river that the coast guard doesnt patrol because they dont know the river well enough and it is just to far from the bay where it is easy for them to just sit there and pull over everyone so that they can fill their quota

Comments by ''cali'' from United States on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 6:05:20 PM - IP Logged

I have traveled up and down the east and west coasts and run into law enforcement on the water in every city yet none of them complain about that ruining their tourism. I think you need to take a look at your villages and maybe put some money into cleaning them up. These men and women have volunteered to do a job and I think we should thank them. If terrorists and drunk boaters wore signs around their necks we wouldn't need these guys out there making random stops, but the fact of the matter is they don't and you should appreciate the measures that are being taken to protect your way of life. Random stops although a pain sometimes only take up a few minutes of your precious day. Instead of complaining about being stopped and yelling at the guys doing their best to protect you, how about next time you get stopped thank the guys risking their lives to maintain your way of life.

Comments by ''LA'' from United States on Monday, July 30, 2007 at 5:54:30 PM - IP Logged

What is this i hear about our mayor taking a late night swim compliments of Mr. Ruddy????

Comments by ''Jasper'' from United States on Monday, July 30, 2007 at 3:33:33 PM - IP Logged

I am somewhat on the fence myself. Sometimes I am pised about it and sometimes I understand. I tend to lean towards it being too much though.

Comments by ''Steely'' from United States on Monday, July 30, 2007 at 10:07:59 AM - IP Logged

I understand EVERYONE's points, but here's the deal, If you get pulled over SO WHAT?! they do a check, if you're legal, you go on your way. Why should anybody not be legal? if you're acting like an idiot you deserve the ticket. If you're legitimate, what's the worst that can happen? you meet a coast guard agent, or a state police officer, etc. Maybe you make a friend. They have a job to do, let them do it. It keeps things safe for us all. I'd rather see them on the water in case of an accident or problem. ESPECIALLY in the summer when there are a lot of tourists that aren't as experienced boating as a lot of us. The river can be tricky at times. I also agree that certain agencies shouldnt be the ones pulling people over and I DEFINITELY agree that turning their lights off at night is a HUGE NO NO, when the agencies are the ones jeapordizing safety, that's a BIG problem and they are abusing their rights.

Comments by ''J.T.'' from United States on Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 12:55:46 PM - IP Logged

Last week I saw a Texas Ranger out on the river riding a Kawasaki STX 12F Jet Ski.

And that's BULLsh*t!!

Comments by ''travis'' from United States on Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 3:46:03 AM - IP Logged

state troopers belong on the road , border patrol belong at the border , park police belong on the parks , and the coast guard belong on the river. the sheriff's are the only law enforcement that dont go on the river. lets keep it that way.

Comments by ''Jack Straw'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 7:35:35 PM - IP Logged

This small area of ours is so Over-run with law enforcement agencies it's ridiculous. Why do they all need to swarm on the Bay, easy picking I guess? Just today i saw 2 state police on a jet ski's pulling boats over. Gone are the fun days of being on the river when you could go to mary's island, have a cookout and a few cocktails without the fear of being stopped or harassed on your way home. I agree the coast guard has a right to be on the river but when I was younger you Never saw a state police or park police on the water, Thanks again to DHS money well spent, no wonder the bay is dead, who needs the hastle here when you can go someplace else and have some fun without the fear of being stopped.

Comments by ''anonymous tour boat captain'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 6:07:27 PM - IP Logged

My personal favorite is that they sit around in the river at night with there LIGHTS OFF. The "rules of the road" clearly state that this is not allowed for any vesel at any time, even at anchor you need a marker light. One night I almost hit the Troopers when they turned there lights on they were in full reverse meaning we were way to damn close, and then they tried to say it was my fault. Another time i picked up a radar hit behind marker 202 that shouldnt have been there. I thought great somebody hit the marker and capsized so I hit them with the light to see the USCG. they should deffinatly know better. and to reward me for trying to help a possibly distressed boater they hit my wheelhouse with the spotlight, another big no-no, and blinded me. I really do see the need for better security but so far terrorists caught 0, tourists and locals harrassed 1000's.

Comments by ''Johnny T.'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 6:01:22 PM - IP Logged

I really wasn't talking about BWI type issues when I wrote this news item. Anybody that drives their boat around hammered deserves a BWI. I was saying that getting stopped for no reason is BULLsh*t and I was talking about the fact that the huge law enforcement presense on the river is affecting our town. Maybe certain people still use the river as much as ever, but a lot of people do not.

Comments by ''PLEASE DONT PULL ME OVER'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 5:33:03 PM - IP Logged

mabey, just mabey if we all paint our boats road cone orange we will not get pulled over. This is all in the begining stages of testing and I will keep you posted on the results. All donations can be made to the chamber of commerse so next year the village can afford to put on a twenty five dollar block party. OOOOH OOOOH then we wan all get in our boats at the town dock and bet on whe gets pulled over first. Winner takes all.

Comments by ''Steve'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 5:23:55 PM - IP Logged

Totally agree.... i am sorry but i was pulled over four times in the course of one summer.....They do their random coast guard check, i complied, passed and they wrote out a statement saying i was completely coast guard equipped, no problem....they continue to tell me if i were to be pulled over again to show them that statement and they would be on their way, what was their reason for "hasseling" me the next three times i was pulled over even after i showed them i was already boarded and passed their "excuse" for pulling you over....its pretty bad when you have done nothing wrong and the coast guard knows you by name.

Comments by ''C-Tex'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 5:23:28 PM - IP Logged

A few years back I was at our place on Fairyland Island, right outside the bay and near Wellesley Island. It was April and the river was empty...we saw maybe 2 boas all day. That night I herd a loud bang and immediately got in my boat. Turns out 3 drunk Canadians in a little boat had been out in the Bay drinking too much. They hit the dock on Maple Island thinking they were in between the 2 shoals just past the Yacht House. Had I not been out that night getting ready to light a bonfire, those 3 would have been in serious trouble. Each one of them went face first into the windshield and had loose teeth. Blood all over their boat and mine. I got them over to the Hospital, but they were lucky someone heard them. I welcome the cops cracking down to a certain extent. Boarder Patrol in another matter.

Comments by ''Big Ray Ray'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 5:18:06 PM - IP Logged

Well, nobody likes driving around when there are cops everywhere. All this guy is saying is nobody likes boating around with cops everywhere either. I have to agree with him, but unfortunately I guess because of terrorists and 911 with have to live with an increased law enforcement presence It sucks and the river definitely isn't the same. It never will be. It would be nice though if they could tone it down a bit. There has to be a balance between policing the river and the health of tourism and general river use..

Comments by ''Steve'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 5:16:32 PM - IP Logged

I wonder what the majority of tickets issued on the river are? BWI's, no registration, expired flares or something else that has nothing to do with protecting the coast. I cant remember the last time a terrorist was caught on the river. Law enforcement is a needed on the river but not to this extent. This is how the U.S. spends the millions of dollars from "homeland security"

Comments by ''Jerry P.'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 4:52:18 PM - IP Logged

Hey, unless there is a DWI checkpoint they can't cant stop your car over at night without a good reason so why should it be any different out on the river?

Comments by ''Poopy Pants'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 4:48:50 PM - IP Logged

No, BLAME IT ON THE IRANIANS !!
THOSE BASTARDS.

Comments by ''fastphil'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 4:41:29 PM - IP Logged

I HATE HAVING THE FEAR OF GETTING STOPPED! ALSO I HATE THE FEAR OF GETTING RUN OVER BY A INEXPERIANCED OR DRUNK BOATER AT NIGHT. ITS ALL HAPPENED TO ME OVER THE YEARS. IF YOU ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG WHEN YOU ARE BOATING WHATS THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SHAKEN THE HABIT OF DRINKING AND NIGHT BOATING MAYBE THATS A GOOD THING . IF YOU ARE BOATING SAFELY DAY OR NIGHT HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH AND ENJOY IT AND THE AUTHORITIES CANT TOUCH YOU ,THIS IS THE USA

Comments by ''Patrick'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 4:40:41 PM - IP Logged

BLAME CANADA!! They are the f**ktards that let every crazy moron from 3rd world countries in so easily. Then we have to worry about them coming over here. Policing the River to such an extent is futile. All that accomplishes is the destruction of the economy of border towns like Alex Bay.

Comments by ''Neil H.'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 4:29:04 PM - IP Logged

Alana, I dont thin the point of this article is a personal attack on the coast guard. Everyone appretiates their help with search and rescue operations. The real problem is current and past leaders of our country. If the USA would mind it's own f**king business instead of trying to run the whole world we probably wouldn't have to worry about all these terrorist threats and attacks.

Comments by ''Jack'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 4:12:56 PM - IP Logged

I live on the river and it has gotten to the point where I dread taking the boat out at night. The last 2 times I got stopped they literally treated me like a criminal. I am always polite and co-operative. It's ridiculous.

Comments by ''Alana'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 3:39:57 PM - IP Logged

I can not speak for other law enforcement but the US Coast Guard has a job to do, they are the first line of defense for the coast of this country. Times have changed due to 9/11 and its never going to be like the old days. If you are not doing anything wrong then you shouldn't care if you get stopped and another point is they are just following orders. Do you think the Coast Guard likes to stop people and ruin their good time, NO, they hate it! When you need help on the water who is the first to help, you are happy to have their help but get stopped once or twice and you bitch and complain. My Husband and I have been stationed all over the country and I grew up in the Bay so I understand what you are saying but you would be sorry if you didn't have someone out there you could count on!

Comments by ''Dan'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 12:13:28 PM - IP Logged

Last year I didn't get stopped once. This year during the july 4th week I got stopped 4 times in one week for what I consider no reason. Sometimes you get lucky but it's bad out there.

Comments by ''Nick'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 12:01:35 PM - IP Logged

I agree it can be a hassle. There is a lot of law enforcement and it's frustrating to be pulled over for no reason. In the past month I have been out on the water almost every day regardless of weather. Many trips have been at night. But I have not been pulled over once this year. I have in the past been stopped for no reason though. I know that regardless of the hassle, I will never stop going out on the river just because I'm worried about getting a ticket.It's more than worth the risk.

Comments by ''wardog'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 11:06:12 AM - IP Logged

river nazis ... thats what my cousin refers to them as . he loves the river and yet his hate for all the unneccessary policing has caused him to give away his collection of 3 boats . can't pry him out onto the river now .

Comments by ''Carlos'' from United Kingdom on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 10:37:37 AM - IP Logged

Can't even go FISHING and drink all the beer..Grrr....

Comments by ''fl'' from United States on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 10:30:02 AM - IP Logged

If you are on the river you can almost guarantee that you are goin to be stopped by the coast guard for no reason other than being out there. if you are out around dark forget about it you are deffinately goin to get stopped borded and harassed just for being out there. i remember as a kid goin out on the river and enjoying it anytime of the day it has acctually gotten to a point that i dont even bother goin out on the river or to the bay

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