As the Port of Galveston continues to grow into one of America’s busiest ports, the Galveston Port Police’s role in ensuring the safety of passengers remains constant.
In the middle of a myriad of activities, the police look into the challenges of port security under the leadership of Chief Kenneth Brown, a veteran with over 25 years of experience.
Navigating Cruise Port Security issues
The thousands of visitors and crew and the myriad of activities that cruise ships bring to Galveston create new energy for police officers tasked with protecting the port and visitors.
In Galveston, the police are under the leadership of Chief Kenneth Brown, a law enforcement expert with more than 25 years of experience; the department is staffed by 34 sworn officers, 6 telephone operators, and two non-regular office staff.
Port police must coordinate law enforcement with the unique needs of the cruise line, from ensuring the smooth sailing of ships to protecting the well-being of traveling tourists.
The year 2023 shows an impressive rise Galveston‘s cruise activity. New facilities, rising cruises, and more ships coming home to Galveston than ever before have fueled the harbor’s booming cruise market.
February 2023 alone saw 71 cruise ports, an increase of 22% compared to the same month last year. In addition, passenger traffic, both boarding and disembarking, increased by 123%.
Cruise Guest Safety
As the Port of Galveston grows and welcomes more ships and visitors, the role of the Port of Galveston Police Department becomes even more important.
No one wants guests to start their vacation with a bad experience at the port. The department’s vigilance ensures a safe and seamless experience for visitors to the Port of Galveston.
Rodger Rees, Port Manager of Galveston Wharves & CEO, said: “Officers play a critical role in the safety and security of the more than 1 million passengers who board each year from the fourth busiest port in North America. Beyond the security duties involved in cruise operations, port officers enforce laws, address passenger concerns, and manage traffic. for cars.”
“Thanks to our port police, our port-operated parking lot is the safest on the island. They monitor the lots and monitor security cameras at all times,” Rees added.
The Port Police also works closely with ship operators to review safety regulations and guidelines, investigate port areas that pose a safety risk, and continuously monitor safety and environmental violations.
Also Read: Galveston Cruise Port – Important Tips for Your Trip
Port managers are trained primarily in port operations, working closely with local, state, and federal agencies such as the US Coast Guard, FBI, US Department of Homeland Security, and others. Their cooperation ensures a comprehensive public safety system, essential for a port as busy as Galveston.
The Busiest Year in History
Port Police will be busier than ever, with 2023 the busiest year for the Port of Galveston. The port has a record number of cruise ships calling the port home this year.
Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Vista, Voyager Of The Seas, Influence of the SeaHarmony Of The Seas, Regal Princess, Norwegian Prima, and Disney Magic all sailing from Galveston in 2023. 2023 will also be the first year of operations for Royal Caribbean International’s newest cruise destination at the port.
In addition, the port is designed to receive a break 182,200 tonnes of LNG produced Carnival Jubilee in December, which will sail 7 days in the western Caribbean from the port.
The statistics behind this exceptional growth are impressive. The port, which is already the fourth busiest in North America, is expected to have a resort about 355 seafarers in 2023. This represents a remarkable increase and sets a new record in the port’s 22-year history as a sea port.
