While North Texas police departments and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted a
"no-refusal" weekend on Texas roads, law enforcement officials are patrolled North Texas lakes for safety violations.
Denton County sheriff's deputies conducted random safety inspections on Lake Lewisville for fire extinguishers, whistles or horns that are easily accessible and life jackets for everyone on board.
"We conducted 30, 40 safety inspections, and we found just a handful of minor violations and citations were issued and also warnings," said Sgt. Andy Steele, of the sheriff department's Boat Patrol Unit.
Law enforcement officials do not need probable cause to stop boaters and conduct safety inspections.
Deputies did not make any DWI arrests.
"We've had some extremely intoxicated people out here that we've had to transport to the park and have an ambulance take them to the hospital," Steele said
Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens arrested six people on suspicion of DWI and two on suspicion of public intoxication on Lake Lewisville on Saturday and Sunday.
"What happens is, boating and drinking seem to go together, and I think patrols are doing a service," said Terry Brunner, a longtime boater.
Deputies said they expect dozens more boaters to sit on the lake and watch July Fourth fireworks displays and plan to patrol Lake Lewisville until 11 p.m.
