HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 094-2017 Bal Harbour Police Department - Beach Safety InitiativesBAL HARBOUR
- VILLAGE -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER
To:
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager ,1G,�
Date: May 19, 2017 U
Subject: Bal Harbour Police Department - Beach Safety Initiatives
LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 094-2017
Mayor Gabriel Groisman and Members of the Village Council
The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to transmit to you several beach safety
initiatives which have been implemented over the course of the last month.
In an effort to expand the current safety and awareness programs along our beachfront,
we have increased several of the safety components already in place. These
enhancements include increasing the number of rescue devices along the beachfront,
augmenting the surf condition signage and increasing the number of properties
participating in our beach flag warning program.
Prior to this enhancement, there were nine posts located along the beachfront. These
posts were each equipped with a life ring and a Res -Q -Disc. The Res -Q -Disc is a buoyant
orange disc which has 100 feet of attached rope. The disc can be utilized much like a
Frisbee and can be thrown out to a distressed swimmer. Once retrieved by the victim, the
rescuer may pull the victim back onto shore with the rope. This program was enhanced by
increasing the number of life rings and Res -Q -Discs along the beachfront from the existing
level of nine to a total of twenty-three life rings as well as twenty-three Res -Q -Disc. These
life saving devices have now been located along every access point to the beach.
The beachfront had historically also been equipped with signage at nine of the beach
access points. This signage included information on the meaning of the different color surf
condition flags posted along the beach. The signage also included information of what
actions swimmer should take if caught in a rip tide. The signage has now been increased
to account for all twenty-three of the beach access entry points. The posted signs were
increased in size and each have a life ring and Res -Q -Disc attached. Additionally, each of
these signs have been numbered to provide a point of reference for individuals during an
emergency. The numbers have been positioned on each sign with one facing the hard
pack, one number facing the beachfront and one just above the life ring and Res -Q -Disc.
This will assist persons unfamiliar with our area to quickly identify and communicate their
location. The Police Communications section as well as our Police Officers will be provided
a map with these designated points as well.
LTC 094-2017: Bal Harbour Police Department - Beach Safety Initiatives
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The final improvement has been the expansion of our surf condition flag warning program.
This program consist of flags posted along the beachfront with the corresponding color
for the daily surf conditions and rip tide risk. The color of flags is determined as part of a
statewide program which standardizes the warning flag colors. The flags range in color
from green for a low risk of rip tides through red for a high risk. The significance of each
flag color is displayed on the signage located at each of the beach access points. The
Police Communications section evaluates the daily surf conditions and rip tide risks by
reviewing the NOAA forecast every morning. This information is then sent out through the
use of our Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS). The information is sent to the
properties participating in this program who in turn have their employees post the
appropriate flag. The flag poles and flags are provided to each of the participating
properties by the Village.
Prior to this initiative, there were five properties along the beachfront participating in this
voluntary beach flag program. As a result of our Police Department's collaboration with
the oceanfront properties, we have been able to significantly increase the level of
participation. There are now a total of fourteen of the fifteen oceanfront properties taking
part in this safety program. The remaining property, The Tiffany, is in the process on
considering whether they will participate.
Our police department has also increased the monitoring of the beach on days with a high
risk of rip currents forecasted. In the event officers determine the currents are severe, they
may order the beach closed to swimmers.
If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me
or Acting Chief De La Rosa.
JMG/MdIR