News

By Dan Moffett

    Briny Breezes’ decision to end a longstanding relationship with Ocean Ridge and approve a contract with Boynton Beach for police services brings Chris Yannuzzi back to the town as a deputy marshal.
    But Boynton Beach Police Chief Jeffrey Katz says residents should be aware that Yannuzzi’s role in Briny Breezes will differ from when he was the police chief in Ocean Ridge.
    Yannuzzi will be Briny Breeze’s primary contact with Boynton Beach and will brief the Town Council at meetings. But it will be Katz who holds the statutory authority as the town marshal.
    “Chris Yannuzzi is a volunteer reserve captain for the Boynton Beach Police Department,” Katz said in a statement to The Coastal Star. “He is also a civilian code compliance manager who was hired as a contract employee. The contract with Boynton Beach does not return Yannuzzi as the face of law enforcement in Briny Breezes. There will be 155 faces of law enforcement in the town as every single sworn Boynton Beach police officer will serve as a deputy marshal.”
    Katz said Yannuzzi is “intimately familiar” with Briny Breezes, and that made him the logical choice to work there.
    “In light of his unique understanding of the town, Yannuzzi will attend the monthly council meetings as my designee, and make reports to city leaders about the police department’s activities on the island,” Katz wrote.
    “There are six other captains who may also be called upon at any time to attend those same meetings on my behalf.”