Havasu tourism officials concerned about reality series

Dan Cunning, president of the Lake Havasu Convention and Visitors Bureau, said "Party Heat" portrays Havasu as "the most decadent city in the world."

"What they're showing is not what I want them to show," he said. "It's sensational."

The 12-episode reality series airing on truTV — formerly known as Court TV — follows several San Bernardino County, Calif., boating officers as they patrol Lake Havasu.

The documentary, which was filmed last spring and summer, casts a spotlight on rowdy behavior in areas popular among boaters.

Sheriff's department spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said the show serves an instructional purpose.

"We got a lot of things out of it," she said. "We decided it would be a good idea because they had not had much press out there really as far as the marine unit was concerned. We wanted to make people aware what they have to deal with on a daily basis."

Beavers said the sheriff's office has gotten several compliments.

"We were able to educate people how to be responsible boaters," she said.

Cunning acknowledged that he hadn't seen the show but said he has gotten e-mails from at least one woman who vowed not to visit Lake Havasu City after watching an episode.

"I'm sure it's going to leave a negative impression," he said. "We work too hard to have shows like this tarnish our image."

Lee Elman, the series producer, said he wasn't allowed to discuss the show.

"I normally do not do interviews on the show," he said in an e-mail. "I have an agreement not to talk about it with the press."

The network also approached the Lake Havasu City Police Department but was turned down. Police Chief Dan Doyle said there were concerns over how the city would be portrayed.

Mohave County Sheriff Tom Sheahan said film crews were allowed to ride along with officers for one weekend but he didn't know whether the network would air any of that footage.

Beavers said film crews for "Party Heat" returned last month to shoot footage for a possible second season.