Despite the gusty winds and driving rain, Laguna Beach lifeguards opened the gates to Aliso Beach at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1, marking the first day after the transfer of several South Laguna beaches from the county to the city’s jurisdiction.
As the gates swung open, three cars that lined up motored in and walkers who weren’t intimidated by the weather strolled onto the beach. A lone surfer bobbed in the waves.
Laguna Beach lifeguards set up their tower – one previously used by the county– and began their watch.
“Our first day of operations of the South Laguna beaches is a rainy one, but there are lots of sunny days ahead,” Mayor Bob Whalen said Wednesday. “The weather doesn’t dampen our spirits as we are very excited to be in control of all the beaches in our city. We have lots of work ahead to ramp up for summer, but we will be ready.”
When South Laguna was annexed by the city from the county in 1987, the beaches remained under the county’s control. But as of Wednesday, the 2.5-mile stretch south starting with Aliso Beach, encompassing the ocean and inland sides of Coast Highway and including Camel Point, Laguna Royale, West Street, Table Rock and Thousand Steps, is now the city’s purview.
The transfer of control follows an agreement inked with the county in November that included a $22 million payment to help the city get staffing, equipment and signs in place and contribute to future maintenance costs.
For the past six months, Marine Safety Chief Kevin Snow has been drawing up plans for Laguna Beach lifeguards to take responsibility of the additional beaches. So far, 25 new lifeguards have been hired and 25 more will be hired before the start of summer.
“We are looking forward to providing safety, prevention, education and enforcement at South Laguna beaches and ask the public to be patient with us as we take on this significant responsibility,” Snow said as he prepped his lifeguards to take on their new roles.
No rescues or…
Read the full article here
