Rear Adm. David Pekoske, Commander, First Coast Guard District, and Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri formalized an important maritime security partnership giving Rhode Island law enforcement officers the authority to stop and board vessels, and take enforcement action against those who violate federal safety or security zones established by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The partnership, known as a Memorandum of Agreement, allows Coast Guard and Rhode Island law enforcement officers to better work together to ensure the safety and security of Rhode Island's waters and waterfront facilities, including those in the Port of Providence. In addition to the Memorandum of Agreement, the City of Providence and the City of East Providence have signed local addendums creating similar partnerships between the local law enforcement agencies and Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England.
"As Governor, protecting the safety and security of the people of Rhode Island is my top priority," Governor Carcieri said. "By providing Rhode Island's law enforcement officers with the authority they need to enforce the Coast Guard security zone in Rhode Island waters, this agreement will help us accomplish that critical goal. By strengthening the relationship between our state and local police departments and the U.S. Coast Guard, we have enhanced our ability to protect Rhode Island and to safeguard our citizens."
"Let me be perfectly clear: This agreement does nothing to undermine our efforts to oppose the creation of marine LNG terminals in either Providence or Fall River," Governor Carcieri continued. "I absolutely oppose both projects and will continue to work with local, state and federal officials to block them. Instead, this agreement will simply give Rhode Island law enforcement officers the authority they need to deal with threats that already exist along Narragansett Bay."
