Features

RICHMOND – Richmond police and U.S. Coast Guard officials are hoping to get word out to the public about a coalition of public safety agencies joining forces to protect the Bay Area from maritime and terrorist acts. 

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Marc Warren said the marine and air units of two dozen law enforcement departments and the Coast Guard that formed the “Neptune Coalition” in February have been meeting each month to coordinate their efforts. 

Member agencies have been taking turns hosting the meeting.  

Richmond police Sgt. Enos Johnson said that although the group was formed in response to the Sept. 11 airliner hijackings, it's still in the “forming stages.” 

Johnson said the group pools resources of member agencies including the state Department of Fish and Game, Highway Patrol and Office of Emergency Services, federal agencies like the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Department of Transportation and Customs Service with those of several Bay Area police and sheriff's departments. 

He said that in addition to preparing for and protecting against terrorism on San Francisco Bay waters, the Neptune Coalition is also helping to coordinate law enforcement for public events like Fleet Week and this year's Independence Day holiday period, when members combined efforts to provide nearly 24-hour patrols logging 400 patrol hours during the five day period.