MAILBAG:Leave patrol as is

[Supervisor] Chris Norby’s advisor, Bruce Whitaker, makes comments that indicate an inherent ignorance of what the Harbor Patrol’s function is (“Harbor debate about dollars,” July 12).

He refers to a “question of jurisdictional responsibility” but fails to address certain jurisdictional issues that would face all residents should Newport Beach take over the Harbor Patrol.

For instance, if a boat was going into the surf on the other side of the river jetty, would that poor soul have to wait for a Harbor Patrol boat dispatched from the sheriff’s office at the Sunset Aquatic Park on the extreme end of Huntington Harbour, as that beach would be out of Newport’s “jurisdiction”?

Any idea that the Harbor Patrol simply protects the “mansions” on the water is equally specious. The Harbor Patrol is simply that — a patrol of the harbor. NBPD already does a fine job of protecting the mansions that may front the bay but are on land. Both agencies assist each other.

Under Norby’s “thinking,” the CHP shouldn’t patrol the 73 Freeway where it goes through Newport Beach.

Leave the Harbor Patrol as it is to continue to serve the entire county coastline.

JOE NEDZA