New York Metropolis water security: Latest drownings at native seashores immediate requires extra lifeguards and longer hours

CONEY ISLAND (WABC) — Water security is essential throughout stretches of brutal warmth, significantly as extra folks go to space seashores.
Following a string of latest drownings at native seashores whereas lifeguards weren’t on obligation, some are actually calling for expanded hours.
However now questions are being raised about whether or not prolonged hours are even a chance as the town struggles to satisfy lifeguard demand.
An absence of lifeguards is high of thoughts for some metropolis leaders.
To this point this summer season, there have been 4 reported drownings within the metropolis, together with two teenage sisters at Coney Island Seaside final week.
Nevertheless, the lifeguard scarcity is not simply restricted to New York Metropolis, it’s pervasive throughout the nation.
In New York, officers say about 800 lifeguards are working and 100 extra to begin this summer season however they want 1600 to adequately workers swimming pools and seashores citywide.
One metropolis council member and chair of the parks committee suggests increasing lifeguard coaching services, implementing a junior lifeguard coaching program in colleges plus a rise in parks division funding to 1 p.c of the town price range.
“We have now to proceed to ensure, because the DM acknowledged, that we educate mother and father and family members on when is the time to be within the water. We do not need folks within the water when lifeguards usually are not on obligation,” New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, stated throughout a urgent convention.
Proper now, there is no such thing as a plan to broaden lifeguard hours previous 6 p.m. NYPD and FDNY decide up guarding duties through drones and take over till 7 and eight p.m.
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