What, the rules don't apply to the fish cops?

[hoytem]

I saw them  out on wilderness. They were rowing half the time, using the 9 horse outboard the rest of the time. I just shook my head when they went by. Not the biggest deal in the world but a little hypocritical and annoying at the same time.

[furiouzgeorge]

Lead by example. No life on the line, keep it electric. Life on the line, of course drop the gas outboard. I think some of you are pro-law enforcement to a fault. Just because they're cops, and are trying to write citations / help people, doesn't mean they should use gas motors on electric only lakes. Regardless of laws allowing them to do so, there is a 'spirit' of the law and what it was written to protect. Like I tell my kids, just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD. So...of course they weren't breaking the law, but they certainly weren't helping the general reputation of law enforcement.

[ICEMAN]

Lead by example. No life on the line, keep it electric. Life on the line, of course drop the gas outboard. I think some of you are pro-law enforcement to a fault. Just because they're cops, and are trying to write citations / help people, doesn't mean they should use gas motors on electric only lakes. Regardless of laws allowing them to do so, there is a 'spirit' of the law and what it was written to protect. Like I tell my kids, just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD. So...of course they weren't breaking the law, but they certainly weren't helping the general reputation of law enforcement.

Here is the code written specifically for Wilderness lake.

12.44.820 Lake Wilderness restrictions.
A. It is unlawful to use or operate any internal combustion engine on Lake Wilderness, legally defined as all the water of Lake Wilderness lying within the East half of Section 21, Township 22 North, Range 6 East, W.M., West half of Section 22, Township 22 North, Range 6 East, W.M., and the Northwest quarter of Section 27, Township 22 North, Range 6 East, W.M., in King County, Washington; provided that, nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any public official or construction company from performing authorized duties.
The department of natural resources and parks shall have the responsibility of posting and maintaining appropriate signs.
B. Consistent with K.C.C. 12.44.070, no watercraft equipped with motor propulsion other than internal combustion shall be operated on Lake Wilderness at a speed in excess of eight miles per hour. (14199 § 168, 2001: Ord. 12433 § 1, 1996).

http://www.kingcounty.gov/council/legislation/kc_code/15_Title_12.aspx

This also brings up this question. Are there piers with pilings on this lake? Shall we expect the contractors to row their pile drivers across the lake to perform their duties? How about weed eradication or fish and wildlife survey vessels? They rowing or electric trolling too?

[furiouzgeorge]

CAN vs. SHOULD, that's the argument here ICE. Citing RCW's or ordinances doesn't justify bad behavior. It's legal to strap a deer onto the hood of my truck to drive it home but I don't. I could leave a gut-pile in sight of a logging road, but I don't. Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD. You catch more flies with honey and can further your 'mission' by earning the respect of the those you're serving.

[furiouzgeorge]

On my way home from work tomorrow I'll be dropping the boat into a lake that prohibits internal combustion engines because I don't want to hear them. It's a small lake, easy to see me anywhere from the landing. Were LEO's to drop a gas powered engine in that lake and haul out to check me I'd be pretty annoyed. I'm getting a bad vibe off you ICE, that just because the law protects LEO's actions the actions are justified. That's a pretty arrogant and dangerous path to travel down. Not trying to start a fight, but want you to know that's how you come off...if you don't intend to you might want to think about that...

[ICEMAN]

CAN vs. SHOULD, that's the argument here ICE. Citing RCW's or ordinances doesn't justify bad behavior. It's legal to strap a deer onto the hood of my truck to drive it home but I don't. I could leave a gut-pile in sight of a logging road, but I don't. Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD. You catch more flies with honey and can further your 'mission' by earning the respect of the those you're serving.

As a fiscal conservative, I want cops making a difference and contacting as many on the lake as possible since we have to pay for their service. I do not want to pay to have cops rowing around the lake and only checking a few.

For citizen safety, I want the cops on the lake ready to respond to an emergency, have the engine idling all day long. Seconds count.

For officer safety, I want the cops to have the ability to terminate a boat contact and retreat quickly if possible, or be able to power their way out of an encounter. Imagine using an electric motor to check for compliance, and you encounter a crazy destined to do harm. You would want the ability to gas the engine and move to a safer position. I am sure with your experience in the military you would respect this.

[ICEMAN]

On my way home from work tomorrow I'll be dropping the boat into a lake that prohibits internal combustion engines because I don't want to hear them. It's a small lake, easy to see me anywhere from the landing. Were LEO's to drop a gas powered engine in that lake and haul out to check me I'd be pretty annoyed. I'm getting a bad vibe off you ICE, that just because the law protects LEO's actions the actions are justified. That's a pretty arrogant and dangerous path to travel down. Not trying to start a fight, but want you to know that's how you come off...if you don't intend to you might want to think about that...

You are getting a bad vibe off of me?

I have been nothing but respectful and posted information about the way the law is written, and how LE uses it to perform their job.

[sled]

On my way home from work tomorrow I'll be dropping the boat into a lake that prohibits internal combustion engines because I don't want to hear them. It's a small lake, easy to see me anywhere from the landing. Were LEO's to drop a gas powered engine in that lake and haul out to check me I'd be pretty annoyed. I'm getting a bad vibe off you ICE, that just because the law protects LEO's actions the actions are justified. That's a pretty arrogant and dangerous path to travel down. Not trying to start a fight, but want you to know that's how you come off...if you don't intend to you might want to think about that...

  Wow.  Really?  IM Speechless.  It Is What It Is I Guess.  Let's Deal With it.

[KFhunter]

On my way home from work tomorrow I'll be dropping the boat into a lake that prohibits internal combustion engines because I don't want to hear them. It's a small lake, easy to see me anywhere from the landing. Were LEO's to drop a gas powered engine in that lake and haul out to check me I'd be pretty annoyed. I'm getting a bad vibe off you ICE, that just because the law protects LEO's actions the actions are justified. That's a pretty arrogant and dangerous path to travel down. Not trying to start a fight, but want you to know that's how you come off...if you don't intend to you might want to think about that...

I think you ought to write a letter to King CO. and ask them why there is LE gassing around the lake.   I'm sure the Subaru types write all the time so you'll probably get a canned letter, but it might answer a few questions.

[Crunchy]

On my way home from work tomorrow I'll be dropping the boat into a lake that prohibits internal combustion engines because I don't want to hear them. It's a small lake, easy to see me anywhere from the landing. Were LEO's to drop a gas powered engine in that lake and haul out to check me I'd be pretty annoyed. I'm getting a bad vibe off you ICE, that just because the law protects LEO's actions the actions are justified. That's a pretty arrogant and dangerous path to travel down. Not trying to start a fight, but want you to know that's how you come off...if you don't intend to you might want to think about that...

luckily not everyone thinks this way.  Rather funny in my opinion.  Cops, dive gear, rescue gear, anchors, guns, ammo, vests, life rafts etc on the boat.  Some of you want them to go out and buy more special gear, and a couple of extra boat batteries so they can buzz around on an electric motor a couple of times a year???  Makes very little sense to me. 

I assume the main reason they were out there in the first place was to make as many contacts as possible, and to ensure everyone was in boater safety compliance.  If a majority of you folks have issue with how that was done, write a letter or call and ask to have that lake taken off their check list.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/sheriff/Enforcement/Specialized/MarinePatrol.aspx

[singleshot12]

On my way home from work tomorrow I'll be dropping the boat into a lake that prohibits internal combustion engines because I don't want to hear them. It's a small lake, easy to see me anywhere from the landing. Were LEO's to drop a gas powered engine in that lake and haul out to check me I'd be pretty annoyed. I'm getting a bad vibe off you ICE, that just because the law protects LEO's actions the actions are justified. That's a pretty arrogant and dangerous path to travel down. Not trying to start a fight, but want you to know that's how you come off...if you don't intend to you might want to think about that...

  Wow.  Really?  IM Speechless.  It Is What It Is I Guess.  Let's Deal With it.

   Obviously some have been drinking just a little too much anti-LEO kool-aid lately

Makes me sympathize even more for our officers when dealing with the public.

[MtnMuley]

I agree with you furiouzgeroge.  100%     Has nothing to with being anti-LEO either.  Just common sense and courtesy, which seems gets lesser and lesser each day.  No reason that if they are going to patrol that lake that they can do so without a gas motor running.  If an emergency occurs, then fire up the motor and deal with it.

[Happy Gilmore]

It's illegal for you to use electronic decoys however, LEO's use them to catch spotlight poachers. Should we make that off limits for the LEO's at the same time they are supposed to patrol a lake for safety violations with oars and an electric motor?  If they showed up with a 32' Boston Whaler with Triple 300HP Verado's I might bitch too. If it was about it not being as peaceful as you wished, I'd recommend going to a walk in lake with a float tube and avoid all the opening day fiasco's which go along with "road hunter" trout lakes.

[Band]

More observations...
The boat motored by and through crowds of boats a good bit of the day without making contact.  The previous 2 years they appeared to make contact with a lot more boats.  Keep in mind that there were so many boats in close proximity that making contacts could be nearly constant (and were in past years).

[pianoman9701]

I'd hope if my boat sank, a friend had a medical emergency they'd show up with a gas motor not an electric. 

I agree with this sentiment. It's important they're able to respond and their reason for being out there is different than the fishermen. It'd be nice if they used an electric unless they had to hustle, but not that big a deal to me.