NYC's Drowning Crisis: Councilmembers Demand More Pools & Swim Lessons After Deadly Summer

After a deadly summer at New York City-run beaches, many City Council members are pushing for better water safety. According to city records, there were seven drowning deaths this summer at New York City beaches, the highest number since 2019.

Aminatu Noah, whose 16-year-old son Elyjha Chandler drowned at Jacob Riis Beach in June, is advocating for more swim instruction in New York City. "If we leave it alone, then the issues continue," Noah said. "I don't want no parents or anyone to be feeling what I am feeling, to be honest. It's not a great feeling at all."

Councilmembers are also concerned about a decline in the number of New York City Parks lifeguards, from 1,424 in 2019 to less than 1,000 this summer. They're pushing for more funding for water safety initiatives, including swimming lessons, hiring more lifeguards, and extending their hours, especially during heatwaves.

Councilmember Farah Louis wants to see more pools built in NYC. "It's a lot of money to install pools. It costs a lot, but we have to prioritize the funds," Louis said. While the city recently announced a new $10 million pool for Far Rockaway, experts say more must be done, as over 3 million New Yorkers live in council districts without a single public pool.

**Shawn Slevin of the Swim Strong Foundation says that NYC's lack of an aquatic culture is "criminal."

Supporters say the city shouldn't wait until next year's beach season to address the issue and that action needs to be taken now.

NYC's Drowning Crisis: Councilmembers Demand More Pools & Swim Lessons After Deadly Summer