Lauderdale-By-The-Sea divided over hiring lifeguards after death of girl in sand
LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA — The death of a child re-opened a longstanding debate in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea - are lifeguards needed?
The subject took center stage Tuesday night when the town commission met.
Residents weighed in on the issue.
Jackie Bonanni Rubino and Leslie Richardson spoke against hiring lifeguards.
"We have always been a swim-at-your-own-risk beach forever. Unfortunately, this happened. I do think that it is an awful thing, but I don't think that bringing in lifeguards will help any," said Bonanni Rubino.
"People drown when there are lifeguards on the beach. Sand holes cave in when there are lifeguards on the beach. I think appropriate signage would be good regarding holes," said Richardson.
Last Tuesday, Sloan Mattingly, 7, was buried in the sand and died.
The girl was digging a hole with her brother when the sand caved in, trapping them. Sloan's 9-year-old brother Maddox survived.
Anglin Pier owner Spiro Marchelos said he supported hiring lifeguards because of more than a dozen drownings in the past 20 years.
"Tourists come from landlocked states and they don't know our waters," he said.
Mayor Chris Vincent directed the town manager to come back in 30 days with recommendations based on studies of surrounding beachside communities. However, there's an election on March 19th, so new council members will be the ones making the final call.