County to hear costs of hiring lifeguards

Drownings on Cameron County beaches have increased this year, prompting officials to consider the need for lifeguards.

Since January, four people have drowned on county beaches, the highest number in the last four years.

On Tuesday, Park rangers will present to County Commissioners estimated costs for a lifeguard program during a beach safety workshop.

The workshop will be held at the Commissioners' Court at 3:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

Rangers have used the lifeguard program in Galveston to estimate costs for a similar program at county parks on and off South Padre Island, County Park Director Javier Mendez said.

Galveston's program spends less than $1 million, but a program at local beaches would likely cost more the first year because of start-up fees, including money for new equipment and training, Mendez said.

County officials have been discussing the feasibility of a lifeguard program even before Mendez became park director in 1999, he said.

Officials opted for a flag advisory system in 2002. Under the system, park rangers call the National Weather Service and post flags that signify weather conditions.

Although the court will not give a ruling on further action, it will advise rangers on what the next step should be, Mendez said.

"The Court will probably give us direction on what to do from here, whether we have to continue researching or figure something else out," Mendez said.

Mendez said rangers would also educate the meeting's audience on beach safety, such as how to swim out of dangerous currents.

lulloa@brownsvilleherald.com

AT A GLANCE

Drownings at Cameron County public beaches from 2005 to 2008:

2005
0 Drownings
15 Swimmers in distress

2006
2 Drownings
26 Swimmers in distress

2007
1 Drownings
22 Swimmers in distress

2008 (since January until now)
4 Drownings
4 Swimmers in distress

SOURCE: Cameron County Park Director Javier Mendez