Here we go again...

Back in FY 2008-2009, the city reduced staffing levels of lifeguards at the beach.  It worked out Tuesdays and Wednesdays had no lifeguard coverage.  For a time, people were being told by the city to "swim at your own risk.  Realizing this, the United States Lifesaving Association wrote the following letter to the city.

After a Channel 5 segment on unsafe conditions at the Lake Worth beach, the city changed its thinking and staffed the beach with lifeguards 7 days a week.

Now we AGAIN face a proposal to have days without lifeguards at the beach - this time FOUR days a week wouldn't have lifeguard coverage.  Only Friday, Saturday and Sundays lifeguards would be on duty and then only for the area north of the pier.

Here is what the City's Code of Ordinances says:

Sec. 7-3. Compliance with regulations posted at beach; obedience to lifeguards.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to swim in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean which lie east of the city, specifically the municipal ocean beach owned by the city, except and unless such person complies with the notices posted on such beach by the city.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to disobey any reasonable command of a duly employed lifeguard of the city that is designed to protect the public and/or public property in the use of the municipal ocean beach.

(Code 1956, § 7-1; Ord. No. 86-12, § 1, 3-17-86)

Sec. 7-4. Swimming at beach when no lifeguard on duty.

It shall be unlawful for any person to swim in the waters of the municipal beach when an official lifeguard of the city is not on duty at the beach.

(Code 1956, § 7-3)

So, this means - if the city chooses to follow its own laws and protect the interests of the swimming public, swimming will not be allowed Monday through Thursday.  Who is going to be enforcing this if no one is there?  If swimming isn't allowed, how will revenue from parking meters be affected during the days that swimming isn't allowed?  Isn't this restricting access to our public beach and the ocean?  Wouldn't it be ironic if the city goes ahead with the casino building reconstruction with $6 million plus from its "cash portfolio" when people won't be able to swim more than half the days of the week?

What are the chances that lives could be lost by this shortsighted act on the part of the city?  Do we want to take that risk?

Here are the statistics for Lake Worth Beach ocean rescues and related incidents for 2010:

Sharks do not care if it is Friday, Saturday or Sunday - nor does lightning.  Having almost a million visitors to our number one destination be at their own peril is just plain irresponsible.

Note:  This post has been e-mailed to the City Manager, City Attorney, the Mayor and members of the City Commission.