FOX UNDERCOVER - Police in Quincy are doing some damage control after admitting that they gave people boat rides to see the Tall Ships in Boston Harbor.
Police are claiming that it is all part of community policing, but others, essentially taxpayers, may see it differently.
FOX Undercover discovered video of a Quincy police boat in the shadow of the Boston skyline on Thursday taking residents on a tour of the Tall Ships.
The Boston Herald also took note asking police if taxpayers are being taken for a ride because these missions had nothing to do with security or safety.
Lt. Bob Gillan, head of the Quincy Police Marine Unit, admits they were all about seeing the Tall Ships.
"Usually, under the maritime community policing, we'll take citizen groups from here, the Maritime Center or Marina Bay, and take them up in Quincy waters up to Long Island or out to Georges Island, he said. We took advantage of the fact that the Tall Ships were in and the War of 1812 celebrations were there. At the same time that those vessels were up in Boston Harbor, we also had vessels ready for response in Quincy."
Quincy police told FOX Undercover and the Boston Herald different answers about how often they take citizens out on their four police boats.
First, police told the newspaper twice a week then changed their answer to twice a month.
Police told FOX Undercover that they took people out once or twice a month then upped it to two to three times a month.
"I don't believe it's a waste of taxpayer money at all. Our biggest partner in crime prevention and counter terrorism is an informed citizenry. And we have an excellent relationship, the Quincy Police Department with its citizens. And using the boats to show them what we do as far as maritime counter terrorism is just an extension, and we're trying to enhance that relationship."
Lt. Gillan said there are four boats in the Quincy Marine Unit which cover 27 miles of coastline in that city.