The Brief
- St. Petersburg water traffic is projected to swell by three to four times its usual volume for the holiday.
- Law enforcement agencies are increasing marine patrols to intercept impaired boaters and safeguard families on the water.
- A massive 1,200-foot safety buffer zone will surround the fireworks barge stationed by the St. Petersburg Pier Saturday.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Marine law enforcement crews are heavily reinforcing patrols around St. Petersburg to crack down on impaired operators as historic holiday crowds arrive on local waterways.
“Our biggest thing just to make sure everyone has a safe and wonderful and fun 250 this year,” Officer Scott Pierce said.
St. Petersburg boating surge
What we know:
Crowds celebrating America’s 250th birthday will cause water traffic to swell up to four times the normal summer rate this weekend. The St. Petersburg Police Department marine unit is deploying all available resources to oversee the massive holiday influx.…