FWC News: Protecting Paradise - Patrolling, protecting, preserving: yesterday, today, tomorrow

For immediate release: October 2, 2014
Media contact: Katie Purcell, 850-459-6585

Photos available on FWC Flickr site: Go to https://flic.kr/s/aHsk3B42ob.

Suggested Tweet: Boating down Chipola River with longtime @MyFWC officer merges past and present! https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/d3194b #Florida

“Protecting Paradise”
By Katie Purcell

 

Patrolling, protecting, preserving: yesterday, today, tomorrow

As the johnboat cruises the winding river, turtles scoot off fallen logs and an occasional osprey soars overhead. Despite the September heat, there’s a coolness to the air on the Chipola River, thanks to the comforting shade of giant cypresses and oaks and the movement of the boat.

The banks of the spring-fed northwest Florida river are spiked with cypress knees. Tree trunks showing the high-water line and limestone layers from years of sediment build-up prompt thoughts of the past and what the river might have been like long ago.

A morning spent tagging along with one of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) most senior officers sheds some light on that topic. Officer Arnold Loyed has watched many changes in both Calhoun County and his agency of employment since 1980, when he joined the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC), one of the FWC’s predecessor agencies.

As he noted, the FWC was created in 1999, when GFC and the Florida Marine Patrol joined, but there was conservation law enforcement in Florida long before that.

Though there have been many developments in the management of Florida’s natural resources, the goals have remained quite similar. This is evident in various history books and manuals retained at FWC headquarters.

A Florida code book from 1937, its pages yellowed and the cover inscription only legible in the right light, describes law enforcement’s role quite well: “The keeping of law is the badge of good citizenship.”

Another prophetic statement can be found in the introduction to a 1955 law enforcement academy textbook: “Florida’s basic economy is very closely related to its basic resources … we are going to have to take better care of our natural resources,” which is what Officer Loyed does.

Florida’s wealth of natural treasures makes it a true paradise. From the Chipola River to the Everglades and everything in between, countless Floridians and visitors enjoy those resources and make their living from them.

FWC officers are here to protect both the resources and people. The nature of their job often means that their “office” is the very scenic outdoors they are protecting. Loyed chose this career for that very reason.

“This is the best job in the state of Florida,” Loyed declares, looking around at the beautiful river.

Loyed had begun his patrol that day by driving to a small public boat ramp and launching his johnboat by himself. After tying a rope from his boat to his trailer, he backs his truck down the ramp, then pulls back up, leaving the boat in the water, tied to the trailer on land.

“I’m the only one out today,” he says, after successfully executing the maneuver alone.

FWC officers frequently work alone. Their jurisdiction directs their efforts to rural areas where access isn’t possible for traditional law enforcement entities. People like Loyed have to be independent and self-motivated.

During the boat ride, Loyed reflects upon a variety of changes throughout his career.

“I’ve seen this water when it was crystal clear. Other times, during storms, we’d launch our boats and ride right up to these homes to check on people,” he says, pointing above to the houses now high and dry on the banks of the river.

Each year, FWC officers rescue about 1,000 people statewide. Some rescues occur during natural disasters, other times anglers or hunters find themselves lost on the water or in the woods.

As he continues up the river, Loyed compares the very beginning of his career with the present.

“When I started at the academy, we had an old school bus that I drove the recruits around in,” he says. “Now we have computers in our trucks.”

The small notebook-sized code books of yesterday are bigger and bulkier and more comprehensive. They and other paper items have been essentially replaced with computers. Officers can look up rules and laws right on their computers. Natural resources can be managed more efficiently these days!

However, although his equipment and technology may have changed, his philosophy of mutual respect remains the same. Loyed is a well-known and respected member of his community, and this is apparent as he greets people along the river. At the boat ramp, an inmate crew is doing some maintenance on the grounds. When one of the inmates gives a friendly, “Hey, Arnold!” he responds in kind.

His main hope as he nears the final months of his career is that he’s had a positive effect on the people and resources under his watch. For instance, over the years, he’s seen issues with illegal night hunting in his area taper off as hunters became more responsible and ethical.

“Maybe I’ve made a difference in this community,” Loyed says. “I have watched people grow up. I’ve mentored kids and seen their attitudes change over the years. I’m going to miss the people.”

Loyed knows that part of his role in conservation law enforcement is trying to ensure people preserve our resources and understand why they are doing so.

“Sometimes I have to write tickets,” he says. “But if I can do it with a warning, I will. There are many times I can use a situation as a training tool.”

To learn more about becoming an FWC officer, visit MyFWC.com and click on the law enforcement badge.

For information about the beautiful FWC-managed places to recreate in Florida, go to MyFWC.com/Recreation, or check out any of water bodies and parks found throughout Florida.

Editorial note: “Protecting Paradise” provides a glimpse into the world of an FWC officer. Finding lost hikers, checking boaters for safety gear and teaching children about fishing and hunting are just some of the contributions they make. This column is written by Katie Purcell, Division of Law Enforcement Community Relations Coordinator. It features different topics to help communicate with the public and foster the shared passion and teamwork that are vital to protecting Florida’s people and beautiful natural resources for years to come.

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