Reminder for the week: Have a safe Memorial Day holiday weekend
Don’t drink and boat!

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between May 14-20 made 1,256 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 29 citations. Officers responded to 50 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• On May 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers hosted a press event to kick off the 2018 National Safe Boating Week and Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day, at the DNREC Lewes Facility. The event was attended by members of the USCG, USCG Auxiliary, DNREC’s Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Secretary’s Chief of Staff Kristin Barnekov-Short, and State Representative Ron Gray. The following press release was issued in regards to the event: DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police kick off National Safe Boating Week May 19-25 in Lewes
• On May 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions during the Port Penn Historical Society’s Wetland Festival at the Delaware State Park’s Grass Dale Center near Delaware City. The Operation Game Theft Trailer, which was very popular, was on display.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Action

Incidents of note:

• On May 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Dale Coston, 60, of Frederica and Jessie Kibler, 51, of Harrington for one count each of lewdness at Coursey Pond Wildlife Area near Felton. Both individuals were issued a criminal summons to appear at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover at a later date.
• On May 20, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Walter Koronik Jr., 70, of Frederica for one count of over-the-limit striped bass near Frederica. Koronik was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Court 7 where he plead guilty, was fined $85, including court costs and released.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (5)*, no F.I.N. (1), failure to have by-catch reduction device (1), and over-the-limit striped bass (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child 12 or younger as required by law (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (6), and no boat ramp certificate (1).

Public Safety: Driving without a valid license (1)* and failure to have required insurance (2)*.

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (3)*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, destruction of state property (1)*, unattended vehicle in a state wildlife area (2), and lewdness (2).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters this holiday weekend that alcohol has many physical effects that directly threaten safety and well-being on the water.

When a boater or passenger drinks, the following occur:

• Cognitive abilities and judgment deteriorate, making it harder to process information, assess situations, and make good choices.
• Physical performance is impaired – evidenced by balance problems, lack of coordination, and increased reaction time.
• Vision is affected, including decreased peripheral vision, reduced depth perception, decreased night vision, poor focus, and difficulty in distinguishing colors (particularly red and green).
• Inner ear disturbances can make it impossible for a person who falls into the water to distinguish up from down.
• Alcohol creates a physical sensation of warmth – which may prevent a person in cold water from getting out before hypothermia sets in.

Make the right decision, don’t drink and boat!

To report boating violations please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24 hour dispatch line at 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

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