S. Indiana city begins Ohio River boat patrols

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP) - The Jeffersonville Police Department soon will begin patrolling the Ohio River by boat.

The agency's new 27-foot boat and officer training have been funded through a $162,000 Port Security Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Police Chief Chris Grimm tells The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., for a story Thursday the unit is expected to begin patrolling the river with a two-man crew next year. He says it will have additional officers on the water during Thunder Over Louisville festival in the spring and other special events.

Until now, the department has had to rely on a Jeffersonville Fire Department boat, Louisville Metro Police and other agencies to handle emergencies on the river.