Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator has ordered two patrol boats to be stationed at the Stoner Marina for immediate response to emergencies on Red River.

Prator said the Sheriff's Office reached an agreement with the City of Shreveport to locate the boats at the floating dock and provide a location to gas the vehicles.

Deputies already make daily patrols of the river, but the new location will aid them in responding to river emergencies after hours. In the past, the boats were housed at the Sheriff's Substation at 4910 North Market. When an after-hours emergency occurred, deputies would drive to the substation, load their equipment, and then respond to the river.

"We'll be saving valuable time by responding directly to the boat launch and deploying from there," Prator said.

Another boat will be stationed at the Sheriff's North Substation at Earl G. Williamson Park in Oil City to assist with emergencies on Caddo Lake.

The Caddo Sheriff's Marine Unit is responsible for patrolling 100 miles of the Red River. They also provide service on Caddo Lake, Black Bayou, and parts of Wallace Lake.