Encourage swimmer safety, but let people swim
Rockaway Beach: I’m fed up with the beach bingo closure nonsense. On Thursday at approximately 2 p.m., my son James and I went to the beach (Rockaway) with our boogie boards to enjoy the ocean, which we thought was allowed. A Park Police sergeant told us we were not allowed in the water without a surfboard. I live across the street on Shore Front Parkway. I was born in Far Rockaway and have sand and ocean water in my blood. I am also a retired NYC police officer and served my city for 28 years. My neighbors and I are confused and upset with this new, nonsensical regulation. Surfboards are allowed, but not boogie boards (small surfboards)? We cannot afford expensive surfboards and we believe boogie boards are more affordable, popular and more manageable to use.
We need our leaders to help us get back into the ocean. Swimming should be legal. These bureaucratic, tyrannical policies alienate the public and the Park Police. This creates animosity, distrust, disrespect and unnecessary stress on all concerned parties. I love decent and common-sense authority but I oppose unfair, autocratic mandates. We need lifeguards and we need the Parks Department and Park Police to allow surfboards, boogie boards and swimming vests. We need lifeguards and supervisors on the beach to have more discretion. An experienced lifeguard knows their beach better than anyone.
Confusing and inconsistent policies are counterproductive to the quality of life of our citizens. Freedom with common-sense safety — a balanced approach should prevail. Thank you for your caring but I’m a big boy now.
Philip McManus