Grapevine Police Department to add boat to help with Grapevine Lake calls

The Grapevine Police Department is adding a boat to help support law enforcement operations on Grapevine Lake.

At the March 3 Grapevine City Council meeting, council approved the purchase of a 2026 Majek 22-foot V-hull boat with a 225-horsepower Suzuki motor and a trailer from Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers.

The cost is $98,400, paid out of the special revenue fund from federal and state forfeitures, according to city documents.

The details

Assistant Police Chief Marc Shimmick said there have been higher call volumes for service at Grapevine Lake, including more alcohol-related activity, safety violations and emergencies beyond the shorelines.

He said the city has a strong partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, but added that there are only four wardens assigned to Tarrant County, which has eight lakes.

Last May, 18-year-old Ava Moore, a Keller Timber Creek graduate, was killed while kayaking at Grapevine Lake. A joint operation with the Grapevine Police Department, Texas Game Wardens and Department of Homeland Security led to the arrest of two individuals believed to be responsible for the hit-and-run collision, according to a police news release.

Shimmick said last summer, a group of officers was assigned for lake and park enforcement, resulting in more than 600 citations and 175 arrests, he said.

“It’s a great idea; having a police boat makes a lot of sense,” Mayor Pro Tem Paul Schleta said.

What they’re saying

“It addresses a long-standing operational need,” Shimmick said. “It enhances our ability to protect the public and enforce applicable laws on the Grapevine Lake. From a community perspective, this piece of equipment directly addresses residents' concerns regarding the lake’s safety and operation.”