On The Record With ... Bert Foster Jr.

Although he does not own a boat, Bert Foster is closely tied to the waters in an around Lake County.

Three seasons ago, Foster was assigned to the Lake County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit – that was after spending about 25 years as a more land-focused police officer.

As commander of the marine unit, Foster is responsible for ensuring the safety of those on the Chain O' Lakes, parts of Lake Michigan and other bodies of water in Lake County.

He said that one of the best parts about his job is working with a team of dedicated individuals.

Foster recently went on the record with Managing Editor Kathy Gresey to discuss the role of the marine unit, special events on the Chain and seasickness.


Gresey: Can you talk a little bit about the marine unit and what the duties of the unit are?
Foster: We enforce county, state laws and ordinances from the Fox Waterway [Agency]. That's the entire Chain O' Lakes. We also patrol our inland lakes ... Lake Michigan – we go from the state line to the county line on the south end, 39 miles out. Now we don't patrol 39 miles, but we have the responsibility up to 39 miles out. We have two boats in Lake Michigan. We have five boats for the Chain; one of them is our inland boat. Currently we have to PWCs – personal water crafts – compliments of Nielsen Enterprises ... .The marine unit consists of a lieutenant. He's the marine unit commander. A sergeant. We have spots available for 50 marine unit deputies, six clerical, two maintenance. So, it's a very busy division during the season.

Gresey: And what is the season.
Foster: The season usually runs from May through October.

Gresey: How did you come to the marine unit in the first place?
Foster: By assignment from the sheriff and the administration.

Gresey: How can area residents and visitors make sure they have a safe time when they are on the Chain O' Lakes, or Lake Michigan or the other bodies of water that you patrol?
Foster: They're always welcome to stop in [our headquarters at 703 N. Route 12 in Fox Lake]. There's plenty of literature that's passed out and printed – Fox Waterway has it; we have it; DNR has it. Learning [this job] as I go, it's all in writing. It's pretty easy to know the dos and don'ts with the safety. A lot of the laws are based on safety, which is great. A lot of it's equipment violations, but everything reverts back to safety ... . Although there's no speed limits out here at certain times – after dark there is – but you basically can drink and drive a boat, as long as you're not intoxicated – and there is no speed limit. I am not sure I agree with that because that's just two things, in my opinion, that don't mix. That's why it's very important for us to be out here. Now if you're doing that and you're around other boats and it's reckless, now you are violating the law. And our guys are really good at educating the people out there ... like children in a boat that should be wearing floatation devices aren't. Kids aren't going to get the ticket, Mom or Dad is going to get the ticket or the adult that is responsible. Every boat has to have a Fox Waterway sticker to be out on the Chain. We enforce that also.

Gresey: Have you or any of the other guys ever been caught out in the water during a bad storm?
Foster: I haven't because I don't go out that often ... if it's lightening and stuff, unless [the officers] are on a call or have to save someone, their not going to be out on the water either. They are going to be in a safe location, and that way if they have to respond somewhere, they can.

Gresey: What's your favorite part of this job?
Foster: To see the enthusiasm of the guys, to go out there, come in and want to work. Their part time; they don't get paid as much as a full-time every day. But they're in here every day. They're here on time. They won't hesitate to stay over if they have to, if it's busy. And they go out there, and they do their job.

Gresey: The Blarney Island boat races on Thursday nights and other events like that, how do you coordinate for things of that nature?
Foster: There's a sailboat regatta toward the end season. We're there for safety, so power boats don't go through, motor boats don't go through the sailboats. The Fourth of July fireworks because of the volume of people – that's a safety issue, so we plan that out ... . every Thursday night at the boat races at Blarney, we have guys assigned there. And our patrols are a lot in that area, also. But we coordinate very well with the owners of Blarney Island. We can't ask for any more cooperation than they give us. There's the annual Sandbar Party; that is going to be July 25 – a huge, huge event. Last year was my first year for being responsible, so many meetings were called. We had our building and zoning; we had our state's attorney office; we had everyone –our administration, myself, Fox Waterway, fire department, the planner himself because it's important. Last year, I had to do an operations plan, which took some time. We had as many guys as we possibly could. We had the assistance of our highway patrol, our jail, our paddy wagons. We were ready for the worst. And it was good ... . A lot of it was compliance.

Gresey: Do you ever get seasick?
Foster: Yes. [Laughs] Not [on the Chain]. Lake Michigan is tough for me.

Foster lowdown
Who he is: Lt. Bert Foster, marine unit commander for the Lake County Sheriff's Office
Family: Wife, Barbara; and two sons, Jordan 18, and Ryan, 15
Village of residence: Wadsworth
Hobbies: The kids and family
Sox or Cubs: Cubs