PELL CITY — The Police Department is back on the water — with new boat engines and a new Dock Watch program.

“We have had a positive response to our new Dock Watch program,” Police chief Greg Turley said.

Turley said the Dock Watch program is similar to a Neighborhood Watch or Business Watch program.

“We have an email list and send out alerts and information,” he said. “We had a call-out on an attempted break-in on Seddon Point on Sunday and will send the boat description out to the people on the Dock Watch email list.”

Turley said the email system gets information out timely and effectively.

“Thieves don’t work on geographical boundaries,” he said. “This helps you protect not just your home but your boat too.”

Turley said about 20 people have signed up for the Dock Watch program so far.

“That is a wonderful start,” he said. “We want 100 people at least in the program.”

Turley said an informed public is the key to having a safe community.

“This is one of our venues to get there,” he said. “If you see anything out of place, you can pick up the phone and call your marine police officer directly or text or email them. You have a relationship with that officer before you need it, so you know what to do.”

Turley said the more lake residents involved, the more of a deterrent effect it has on thieves.

“We want to take a proactive approach, and move the crime out of our area,” he said. “The Dock Watch program gives us an immediately available tool to bypass all the red tape and get information to lakeside residents.”

Turley said a vigilant community deters thieves, who will then move on to an easier place to operate.

“We recently spoke to the Logan Martin Lake Protection Association about the new program, and would love to speak to Neighborhood Watch and other similar organizations,” he said. “We want face-to-face meetings — people getting involved and working together with the police department.”

Turley said it is important for the community to know marine assistance is available.

“The new engines are on the boat and it is deployable at this time,” he said. “We are able to respond to non-emergency calls around the clock, seven days a week.”

Turley said the marine officers can assist with tow-ins, maintenance and fuel problems, and check out suspicious activity and careless/reckless operators. The boat cell phone number is 205-368-3294.

“The boat cell phone is for non-emergency calls,” he said.

Turley said marine officers also monitor the marine band radio on channel 16.

“We are excited about working together and are looking forward to our most safe and effective boating season,” he said.

Contact Elsie Hodnett at ehodnett@dailyhome.com.