The stand up paddle board community has a large presence in Truckee.  The SUP tactic is an aspect of a Community Oriented Policing strategy that calls on police to partner with their community and embrace the norms of the community they serve.

“The purpose of ARC was to not increase enforcement or address crime related issues, but to interact and patrol in a manner which best emulates what our community embodies,” Captain Rob Leftwich said.

The officers will not routinely patrol on paddle boards.  They will operate situational patrols at events where a paddle board is appropriate.

“Anything we can do that gets officers out of their vehicles and invites interaction with our community is a step in the right direction,” Chief of Police Adam McGill said.

No general fund dollars were spent on the new Truckee Police ARC Team.  The Tahoe SUP, a regional paddle board manufacturer rooted in Truckee, made a generous donation toward two stand-up paddle boards and associated equipment.  Tahoe SUP is also providing free training to officers including rescue-related skills so officers are prepared for water emergencies.

Brilliant TPD ARC!  Way to integrate our lifestyle Truckee’s finest.

And everyone entering ANY Truckee or Tahoe water body also needs to fight the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species. Here’s how –

Become a Tahoe Keeper:  Protect Your Favorite Place.
Protect Your Favorite Pastime.

Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invaders.
Clean • Drain • Dry • Every time

Please join our local paddle shops and other paddlers and become a Tahoe Keeper to help stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) into Lake Tahoe and Truckee water bodies.

It’s easy. It’s free. It matters.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) threaten Lake Tahoe’s famous water clarity. Invaders spread through the transport of water and debris that can collect in cockpits and hatches, and cling to outer hulls, rudders and paddles. Spreading AIS violates local, state, and federal laws.

Self-Inspect & Decontaminate: The Tahoe Keepers online training program demonstrates how to Clean, Drain and Dry your watercraft and gear every time you haul out or move between water bodies, and properly Dispose of any plants or debris.

• CLEAN watercraft with pressurized water, removing all dirt, plant, and animal material from your rudder, hull, cockpit, and fishing gear. DISPOSE of foreign matter above the waterline on dry land or in a trash can.
• DRAIN the water from your hatches and cockpits on land before you leave the immediate area.
• DRY your watercraft before launching it again.

When paddling in an area infested with AIS or if you find contaminants on your boat or board, implement additional decontamination measures, such as spraying with pressurized water and keeping your watercraft completely dry for at least 5 days.

Prevent In-basin Transfer of AIS: If you only paddle within the Lake Tahoe basin, it is still very important to inspect your watercraft and gear to ensure you are not inadvertently transporting invaders found in Lake Tahoe to other Tahoe-Truckee area water bodies.

If you find AIS on your equipment or you are arriving at Lake Tahoe from a region with infested water bodies, inspections and decontaminations are available free of charge at the roadside watercraft inspection stations.

Learn more and join the Tahoe Keepers stewardship community at www.TahoeKeepers.org.  Call 1-888-824-6267 for the AIS hotline.

It’s easy. It’s free.  It matters.