Community Could Drop Lifeguard Services

lakemichigan3-36
lakemichigan3-36

New Buffalo city leaders are thinking about not having life guards at the local beach this summer. However, that won’t affect how the U.S. Coast Guard approaches its duties there. Executive Petty Officer Lazaro Lopez with the U.S. Coast Guard station in St. Joseph tells WSJM News they’ll serve the area as they always have, although not having lifeguards may reduce response times in some cases. He tells us he’s seen many communities drop lifeguard services at their beaches in recent years. Silver Beach is one of the few in southwest Michigan to still have them.

“From our experience the past four years, we can’t praise it enough,” Lopez said. “Berrien County Parks does a fantastic job.”

Lopez tells us many cities are replacing lifeguards with call boxes and life rings. New Buffalo city officials have not budgeted for lifeguards because they say it’s too difficult to find qualified and reliable personnel. There are also insurance considerations.