Home  |  About  |  Original Articles  |  Book and Surf Shop  |  Logo Goods

June 8, 2006 -

Liability for Lifeguard Services?

In continuing fallout from strained state funding of lifeguards at state beaches, some residents of Carlsbad are asking their city to provide funding for lifeguards on a stretch of private beach in that town. According to an article in the North County Times, the rationale for the request is that the revenue from beach tourism is so important to the city that added safety, even at city expense, would be good for the community.

But for the city, the key issue is land ownership. The City of Carlsbad doesn’t own any of its beaches, and it has long maintained that it should not provide lifeguards because it doesn’t control the land, Joe Garuba, city senior management analyst, said Wednesday.

City officials have said they believe Carlsbad could face legal liability if the city paid for lifeguards to work in areas Carlsbad doesn’t own. Biltchik [one of the residents] said Wednesday that he has heard there are recent changes in state law that might reduce the liability the city could face if an accident occurred.

Any thoughts or comments on the rumored changes in state laws?

---

Interesting Sites

Beachapedia.org Beachapedia
Cal. Coastal Commission Like them or not, they are one of the biggest players around when it comes to coastal access in California.
Howling Point Your moderator’s personal site. He does have a life outside of this, as shown by the occasional gaps in posting.
Surfrider Foundation Activities and campaigns for clean water, beach access, beach preservation and protecting special places.