Bystanders reported the sighting to the police around 12:30 a.m., prompting immediate action. The man was transported to St. John's Episcopal Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Authorities have indicated no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
This incident has brought this season's drowning total to match last year's count, prompting local officials, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, to call for significant changes in beach safety protocols, New York Post reported.
Bystanders reported the sighting to the police around 12:30 a.m., prompting immediate action. The man was transported to St. John's Episcopal Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Authorities have indicated no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
This incident has brought this season's drowning total to match last year's count, prompting local officials, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, to call for significant changes in beach safety protocols.
Current staffing levels at NYC beaches show a deficiency, with about 870 lifeguards instead of the required 1,500. Local officials argue that this shortage and the limited lifeguard hours—from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.—are inadequate for public safety during extended summer daylight hours.
In response to rising temperatures and longer daylight, former Mayor Bill de Blasio had extended beach hours during a 2019 heat wave. City Council Member Shekar Krishnan has now proposed a bill to extend the beach and outdoor pool seasons and their operating hours.
Richards emphasized, "The sun is up longer in the summer. To me, extending the beach hours is a critical step in ensuring that we can have safe swimming … the heat waves are not going away."
The city's administration, led by Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, has focused on increasing surveillance rather than extending lifeguard hours. They've implemented measures like deploying NYPD drones and boosting the presence of Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers during off-hours.
Joshi explained, "The administration will continue to work hard to make sure that people understand the importance of swimming when there's a lifeguard there and ensure that when there is no lifeguard there, we are doing the best we can to have eyes both in the ocean and on the beaches to let people know that they shouldn't go in."
Despite these efforts, concerns persist about the effectiveness of such measures in preventing future tragedies, especially as New York City experiences weather akin to that of traditionally warmer locales. Richards starkly warned, "It's only going to get worse. New York City is slated to have as many 90-degree days as Atlanta … This is the new norm, and we just got to be ready."
Balancing extended lifeguard hours with enhanced after-hours surveillance presents a complex challenge for city officials. The recent spate of drownings has intensified the urgency for a resolution, highlighting the need for effective safety measures as summer progresses.
The goal is clear: to prevent further tragedies. As solutions are debated and implemented, the memory of those lost underscores the stakes involved.
In conclusion, this season's drowning incidents at NYC beaches have intensified discussions about public safety, focusing on lifeguard coverage and beach hours. With officials advocating for expanded services and the administration emphasizing surveillance, the debate continues as the community seeks a safer beach experience.
