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Increased patrols on the water for Memorial Day

Posted at 5:32 AM, May 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-19 05:55:03-04

OTTAWA CO. MICH. — While flooding continues to impact people along the lakeshore, officials in Ottawa County are expecting the beaches to be busy for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

The stay-at-home order has kept many of us inside however FOX 17 spoke to the Ottawa County Sheriff Office's Marine Unit which is ready to increase its patrols on the water this weekend.

Sgt. Eric Westveer says they are expecting more people to be out on the water and out on the roads. He says the increase comes with some added difficulties, especially with higher than normal water levels.

Westveer says the biggest safety concern is people having too much to drink while on the water, which is usually the cause of many boating accidents.

While we are allowed out on our boats, Memorial Day will look a lot different this year, as you will still have to practice social distancing while on the water.

Sgt. Westveer says people are going to want to spend time with families, and they're going to want to cook out, but we also need to clean up after ourselves and do our part to keep the parks clean.