The Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department may soon be out on the water.
That’s because the department — which serves Cheswick, Springdale Township and East Deer — is set to purchase a river patrol boat this spring.
Despite the region’s three rivers, police boats are relatively rare, according to Allegheny Valley Regional Chief Michael Naviglia.
Most police departments rely on local fire departments or Allegheny County for river operations, which Naviglia said can prove “cumbersome.”
“We have one of the largest stretches of river in the county,” he said.
Naviglia said the department is eyeing a 21-foot rigid inflatable boat, though he hasn’t closed on a deal yet.
Water operations, he said, would be highly “mission specific,” meaning officers would use the craft for particular tasks and not regular patrols.
The department had been researching a boat since 2024, but Naviglia said it’s finally been made possible by a $125,000 federal grant.
Allegheny Valley Regional officers plan to train with Beaver and Center Township police in Beaver County, which jointly operate a patrol boat, as well as local Coast Guard and state police.
It’s unclear where the department would store the new craft, though Naviglia said he’s considering anchoring it near the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in East Deer or in Cheswick.
Officers will likely be out on the water as soon as this summer, the chief said.
He’s also researching a drone to accompany the boat.
Rick Stoneburner, East Deer’s commissioner in charge of the police, said he thinks the boat will prove useful throughout the region.
“I think it’ll be a good thing for all the communities,” he said.
He credits Rep. Chris Deluzio with securing the federal grant, saying the department could not have obtained the craft otherwise.
