Increased enforcement at the Lake of the Ozarks this summer

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is making changes to improve safety at the Lake of the Ozarks.

ABC 17 News reported in March, officials announced plans to change some policies in the water patrol division.

Highway patrol officials worked with lawmakers on a compromise after Rep. Diane Franklin filed a bill to reverse the 2011 merger of the highway and water patrol.

The highway patrol told ABC 17 News one change would include more boating while intoxicated, or BWI, checkpoints and saturation this summer.

This coming weekend, troopers at the lake and across the state will be doing just that by taking part in “Operation Dry Water.” It is an effort to stop anyone who operates a boat drunk or under the influence of drugs.

So far this year, troopers across the state have made 27 BWI arrests compared to 12 the same time last year.

“We really highly encourage people to continue that practice of making sure whoever is operating that boat or that vessel that they haven’t been drinking,” Lt. Paul Reinsch said. “And we will have some BWI saturations out there looking for those intoxicated impaired boaters again, not only for their safety but for the safety of all the boaters in the area.”

Troop F is also bringing more manpower to the Lake of the Ozarks with the water patrol changes.

Last month, two troopers were added to two zones at the lake, increasing staffing to 20. And during busy weekends, troopers are working longer shifts on the water.

“What we do is have our officers work extended hours at those times putting those officers out there as much as possible and getting as many man-hours on the lake to enforce the boating laws and to be available if someone does have a problem out on the lake,” Reinsch said.

This year there have been 14 drownings across Missouri. That is four less than this time last year.