With no lifeguards, Michigan City warns beachgoers to swim at their own risk
Beaches in Michigan City were packed yesterday and are expected to be the same today, but the city is warning people to swim at their own risk.
That's because there are no lifeguards on duty at the city's beaches after Mayor Duane Parry put off hiring them to save money.
Having lifeguards costs the city more than $100,000 dollars each year.
But Washington Park beach has been the scene of numerous drownings in years past.
Some say the decision to not have lifeguards could have deadly consequences.
"It's an opportunity to be the leading example of lake Michigan water safety or it's an opportunity to be a disaster of lake Michigan water safety. Predictably, lives will be lost because these lifeguards will not be there," said Dave Benjamin, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.
The city is still weighing whether to put some life guards on the beach later this summer.
