Matlacha residents call for crackdown on speeding boats in the pass

MATLACHA, Fla. (WINK) — As the unofficial start of summer approaches this Memorial Day weekend, people living near the Matlacha Pass are raising concerns about speeding boats through the channel.

• RELATED: Manatees in danger as boaters speed through Fort Myers Beach no-wake areas

Cindy Hartwell brought her concerns about speeding boats to WINK Listens at the Matlacha Community Center.

"As they approach the bridge from Charlotte Harbor direction, there's a no-wake zone, so they just come flying right up until that point," Hartwell said.

Her neighbor, Katherine Jennings, says she sees it too.

"The boats are getting bigger, they're getting faster, and they're coming through the channel way over 25," Jennings said.

She added concerns about safety in the area.

"There's manatee. There are kayakers. There's boaters. I mean there's people fishing. I don't think it's a safe environment at all anymore," Jennings said.

WINK News went out on the boat with Hartwell and her husband one late Wednesday morning. While the pass was quiet, Hartwell says that changes on weekends and holidays.

Hartwell said she wants to see more law enforcement presence in the channel.

"Whether it's a sheriff's boat or FWC or whoever sitting closer to the bridge and getting these people as they're just blasting through the area," Hartwell said.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office issued 18 citations and warnings in Matlacha Pass in the first four months of the year.

“The LCSO Marine Unit frequently conducts ongoing enforcement in this area as well as all of the other waterways in the county,” said Captain Christopher Fine in a statement to WINK News. “As summer approaches and the waterways get busier, our Marine Unit will be out in full force to ensure the safety of boaters.”

"I don't wanna be the Karen standing out on the seawall screaming, 'Slow down!' But it's going to come down to that," Jennings said. "And when I called FWC and asked them if they would put additional signage, they told me I could put it on my own property at my expense."

A Lee County spokesperson said the pass is already properly marked.

“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) places a high priority on boating safety and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations, including speed-restricted and boating-restricted areas,” said Officer Bradley Johnson in a statement to WINK News. “Our officers actively patrol these waters and take enforcement action when violations are observed. The FWC makes every effort to strategically deploy personnel based on need, including the area of Matlacha Pass.”

For now, the Hartwells plan to stay on land this Memorial Day weekend.

"But if it's marked for enforcement, it's like speeding on the highway, you know, catch them," Hartwell said.

The county encourages reporting speeding boats to law enforcement. Speeders can be reported to Florida Fish and Wildlife through their hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).