Shore towns consider ways to protect beachgoers in offseason

<p>A deadly weekend at the Jersey Shore has some officials considering ways to protect beachgoers during the offseason.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 24, 2017, 2:49 PM

Updated 2,412 days ago

Share:

A deadly weekend at the Jersey Shore has some officials considering ways to protect beachgoers during the offseason.
The calendar says that it is fall, but temperatures this weekend reached the low-90s and prompted many New Jersey residents to flock to the beach. But conditions from Hurricane Maria made the Atlantic Ocean very rough and very dangerous.
Despite warnings to refrain from swimming this weekend, lifeguards rescued more than 100 people from the ocean – three people did not survive.
Members of Manasquan Fire and Rescue patrolled the waters on a boat this weekend, looking for swimmers in distress.
“Our concern is during the week. Less people on the beach, less eyes on people struggling,” says firefighter Tom Schofield. “Could be more problems than the weekend.”
The amount of rescues has some first responders concerned.
“I think the towns could do better,” says Sea Girt OEM coordinator Timothy Harmon. “It’s not fair to say they let them down, but I think we all can do better.”
Harmon says that towns must plan ahead for these types of situations.
“We can do better. We can do different. We need to modify…[officials] need to get together and say, ‘How do we prevent this from happening?’” Harmon says.
Some beachgoers Monday suggested that towns should keep lifeguards on duty later into the season.
“Maybe keep going through the weekends or until the water gets cold. Something like that,” says surfer Joey O’Malley.
Harmon says that he would like to see some sort of plan before next beach season begins.


More from News 12
2:13
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

2:07
Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the mid-80s; cooler weather arrives Friday

Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the mid-80s; cooler weather arrives Friday

0:29
Rutgers New Brunswick postpones some final exams due to ‘anticipated escalation of protest activities’

Rutgers New Brunswick postpones some final exams due to ‘anticipated escalation of protest activities’

1:53
News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach

News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

0:35
Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

0:24
Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

0:29
Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

0:20
Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

0:19
FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

0:24
Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

0:47
Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

8:09
Fire officials: Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between exits 15 and 14

Fire officials: Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between exits 15 and 14

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:39
Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

2:21
Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

0:30
Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

0:18
Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

0:43
Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

0:39
Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit