With boating season kicking off in just a few short weeks, boaters and swimmers on Addison Township’s Lakeville Lake can expect to feel safe and secure as they take to the lake.

Township officials voted last week to continue the township’s 2016-18 agreement with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol (OCSMP), which will allow deputies to patrol Lakeville Lake for up to 128 hours this summer.

According to its existing agreement, the township must carry at least $1,000 within its “Lakeville Lake area fund-raiser” account each year to continue contracting with the OCSMP.

The township’s Lakeville Lake fund currently holds around $2,000, according to Treasurer Lori Fisher.

This year’s marine patrol will be paid for using restitution funds from the Oakland County Sheriff’s substation in Addison Township, according to Supervisor Bruce Pearson.

Those restitution funds, totaling around $4,250, were recently allocated by officials for the township’s marine patrol.

This amount will allow for the sheriff’s marine unit to patrol the lake for up 128 hours throughout the season—four hours each on Saturdays, Sundays and on each holiday including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Restitution payments are collected by law enforcement agencies through the court to reimburse them for the time spent and costs associated with the arrest of offenders. These can be allocated by the township to pay for purchases relating to the Oakland County Sheriff’s substation in Addison Township, like additional supplies or its marine patrol program.

Using these restitution funds to cover the costs associated with the marine patrol this summer will allow the township to have a more consistent presence on the lake than it would have if the township used its Lakeville Lake fund, Pearson said.

Marine patrol officers deal with speeders, ensure lake users are respectful of nearby property, enforce laws concerning alcohol consumption and operating watercraft, ensure boaters have proper safety equipment and licensing and keep an eye on things so parties do not get out of hand.

According to Pearson, having a consistent law enforcement presence on the water is important given the high volume of traffic Lakeville Lake experiences during the boating season.

“(Marine Patrol) helps keep our lake safe and helps educate people out there… It’s always helpful for people to know what’s not safe on the boat. The deputies are always very helpful. If there is a problem out there, hopefully they can handle it right away,” Pearson said.