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County Council approves FEMA-backed river patrol boat to restore law-enforcement presence on the Ohio River
Summary
Vanderburgh County Council approved a sheriff-led plan to accept a FEMA Port Security grant to purchase a patrol boat — about $230,000 — that the sheriff—s office and Evansville Police Department will operate jointly. Council also asked staff to pursue state river grants to fund operations and to avoid spending before reimbursements are confirmed.
Vanderburgh County Council on May 7 approved a sheriff-led plan to accept a FEMA Port Security grant and buy a patrol boat to re-establish law enforcement presence on the Ohio River.
The ordinance and appropriation discussion centered on a grant that will pay the majority of the boat purchase; Sheriff Noah Robinson said the vessel is “about $230,000” and that federal reimbursement covers roughly three-quarters of the cost, with other local funding sources contributing the remainder. Robinson said the county will not expend funds that FEMA will not reimburse.
Why this matters: Council members and county staff said the patrol capability fills a gap in maritime security and public-safety response on the Ohio River. The vessel is intended both to enforce boating regulations and to provide a rapid-response platform for water rescues and port-security checks.
Sheriff Noah Robinson described the grants and operational plan: “We received this highly competitive grant,” he said, and credited a volunteer grant writer with assisting in the application. Robinson said the county expects to take delivery of the boat in early winter and then pursue an Indiana Department of Natural Resources river grant to pay staffing, fuel and other recurring costs.
Robinson said the county has structured the purchase to avoid financial risk: if FEMA indicates any expense will not be reimbursed, the county will not incur that cost. He said the department has not been asked for money up front by the vendor.
Council members pressed for details about operations and costs. Robinson said the initial federal grant covers most of the capital cost (about 75 percent), that the Evansville Police Department is contributing toward the remainder, and that the sheriff—s office commissary and other sources make up any local share. He said a separate grant planned for next year would fund overtime for deputies and police officers who staff weekend patrols.
Robinson described training and staffing plans: the selection committee has qualified personnel from both departments, and the sheriff expects 20 trained operators by next season so the boat can be on patrol most weekends. He said agencies will operate the craft jointly and that the boat will carry marine radios and police communications; the vessel will not include a radar unit under the current specification.
Council members asked whether patrols would respond beyond Evansville—s immediate waters. Robinson said the patrol will operate across county territorial waters and could respond to nearby incidents, including at lock-and-dam facilities when necessary.
The council approved the request by voice vote. Several members expressed support for restoring a maritime law-enforcement presence after years without a local river patrol.
Ending: The sheriff—s office plans to take delivery of the boat in early winter and seeks a state river grant to fund operations next year. Council members said they will monitor grant reimbursements before approving additional operational spending.
