Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s Office
“Five people died this year in our waters. Something needs to change and that begins with education and notification,” Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato said.
By Forum Staff
A concerned civic group and area elected official this week called for “immediate action” from City agencies, including improved signage and warnings at the entrance of the beaches in Rockaway to notify swimmers and beach-goers.
There have been five drowning deaths this year in the waters surrounding Rockaway.
“As a City, and State we must do better to inform swimmers of the risks associated with going into the bay and ocean. Among many things we urgently need: updated signage with higher visibility, flag notifications on the beach to inform swimmers of dangerous waters, and better utilization of modern technology to receive notifications from the city. Most importantly, we need comprehensive water safety education-not only across the Rockaway Peninsula but across New York State,” Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) said. “Five people died this year in our waters. Something needs to change and that begins with education and notification. I pray for those who lost their lives and for their families.”
Edwin Williams, vice president of The Heart of Rockaway added, “[THOR] appreciated Stacy Pheffer Amato standing with is on swim safety awareness. The Rockaways can use better signage and possibly a push [public address] system to cell phones to make visitors aware of the dangers.”
Maintain Joshua Odozi, Jr., Keylon Ramsay, Umarie Chamble, John Munoz, and Peala Jimenez lost their lives this year while swimming off of Rockaway’s waters.
Pheffer Amato thanked THOR for organizing the press conference, and thanked the Rev. Al Cockfield “for his meaningful words and prayers for all who passed.”
