Berrien County officials have a friendly reminder for everyone who walks along their pier in St. Joseph or visits Silver Beach: please don’t steal the life rings. Berrien County Board of Commissioners Chair Mac Elliott told colleagues Thursday a case involving an Edwardsburg man who stole a life ring has been prosecuted.
“As you know, those life rings are wired, so that when they’re removed, dispatch is notified immediately,” Elliott said. “We have cameras that are activated, which means if you’re going to do that, you should know that you’re going to get caught.”
Elliott said the defendant was sentenced to five days in jail, community service, and $1,100 in restitution. Speaking of Silver Beach, County Administrator Brian Dissette said the sheriff’s department has reached a deal with St. Joseph Public Safety on patrolling the beach this summer.
“We will be reimbursing them at their rate, but we will have additional support for having a badge on the beat so that as we get into these peak days, it’ll be a blend between the sheriff’s deputies and the St. Joe Police Department,” Dissette said.
Dissette said the sheriff’s department is short on deputies and needed that support. Sheriff Paul Bailey said it’s unfortunate, but there does need to be a police presence at the beach, especially in the later hours as people try to sneak in booze.
