PLEASE SAVE THE LIFEGUARDS WHO SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS!
The lifeguards and Ocean Rescue on South Beach saved my husband's life when he drowned in a surfing accident last March (Ocean Drive and 4th St.). He was pulled out of the water, resuscitated, taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, and eventually had spinal surgery. His name is Stephan Linn, Ph.D., and is a local particle physicist who works at FIU. He has happily surfed the South Beach waves for 40 years with no incident until this accident on March 22. Had it not been for the lifeguards, Ocean Rescue and Miami Beach Police Department, Steve would not be alive today.
I understand that the City of Miami Beach is undergoing severe budget cuts and staffing reductions. PLEASE DO NOT REDUCE THE BUDGET FOR LIFEGUARDS AND OCEAN RESCUE!
The proposed budget cuts would reduce the numbers of lifeguards on-patrol, reduce the pay of those remaining, and eliminate training funds. It would also close down many of the iconic lifeguard towers -- the internationally-recognized symbol of Miami Beach.
Without these dedicated City of Miami Beach employees, the lives of millions of residents and tourists who enjoy South Beach are truly at risk. Can you imagine the media stories around the world if tourists start drowning on YOUR beach? Can you allow budget-cutting measures to risk lives and stop drawing million of international and local tourists, the lifeblood of Miami Beach and its biggest business? Miami Beach and all of Miami-Dade County cannot afford to loose our biggest asset because of proposed budget cuts to the lifeguards and Ocean Rescue.
Find budget cuts elsewhere, please, if you must.
My husband is doing OK, thanks to the dedicated City of Miami Beach lifeguards, Ocean Rescue and Police Department. He is waiting for the waves and will get back on his surfboard on South Beach soon.
Thank you, Islara Souto-Linn
PS Out of respect for my husband, I have withheld the pictures of when he was pulled out of the water and resuscitated.
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