Ranger Corps steps up preventive patrols for holiday weekend

By THE STAR STAFF

Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez announced Tuesday that starting today, members of the Ranger Corps will be conducting preventive patrols in all nature reserves, beaches and other facilities managed by the agency in anticipation of the long Thanksgiving Day weekend.

“At the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, we want to ensure the proper use of our reserves, as well as other facilities, which receive a greater number of visitors during holidays,” the DNER chief said in a written statement, noting that for the long Thanksgiving Day weekend “both the commissioner of the Ranger Corps, Nelson Cruz, and the director of the Office of the Navigation Commissioner, Luis Márquez, prepared programs aimed at protecting life and conserving the environment in anticipation of an increase in visitors.”

“We have all 11 maritime units, including those located on the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra, active and ready for operations,” Quiles added. “In the Fajardo region, we have a group of patrol officers deployed with the Puerto Rico Police conducting joint preventive patrols. The Piñones unit is active and in continuous communication with members of the State Police, as is the Carolina Municipal Police. We are also deploying personnel to the Guánica, Lajas and Cabo Rojo areas. We want to emphasize that the southwest region of Puerto Rico is one of the busiest during the months of November, December and January due to the high influx of tourists from across the country escaping the cold.”

The official urged “people who will be carrying out any type of aquatic activity to subscribe to the parameters established in Law 430-2000, better known as the ‘Navigation and Aquatic Safety Law of Puerto Rico’, as well as all regulations for the safety of swimmers and manatees.”