The sound you never wanted to hear growing up next to the beach was a helicopter circling. We all knew what it meant: somebody went into the ocean and didn’t come out.
It’s the job of lifeguards to protect New York City’s beaches and pools all summer — and this year, they’re hurting from a lifeguard shortage.
Since it’s New York City, there are also unique issues rooted in years of mismanagement from the Parks Department and problematic union bosses, on top of a nationwide shortage.
I dove in (sorry) to the issue this week for THE CITY, and presented some data on just how bad the numbers are – and maybe some hope for improvements.
At this moment, there are 480 lifeguards available for the now-open beaches and the pools, which are set to open June 28. That’s way fewer than the 1,400 the city aims for each year to guard its 54 pools and 14 miles of beaches.
And the number of lifeguards has been declining each year since 2016, according to Parks Department data.
The agency has been trying for months to recruit more people, but has had to cancel programs like those that teach kids and adults how to swim in anticipation of a shortage.
What further complicated things this year was what some lifeguards told me was a sudden enforcement of a 1987 rule that doesn’t grant dual waivers that allows city employees — like a firefighter — to pick up extra shifts on the beach.
“We're short as hell today and it's for no reason — we could use the manpower and they're denying people for no reason when they could easily do both," one lifeguard told me Friday, in between sitting on the chair.
You can read that story here. Relatedly, read this one too!
Other interesting stories from this week:
Early voting starts tomorrow! Go see which district you live in now and who the hell is running there. (THE CITY)
Taiwanese Gourmet is one of the oldest Taiwanese restaurants in New York City and yes, it’s still very good (and, of course, it’s in Queens) (EATER)
Poll workers become pawns in the Brooklyn Democratic party’s battle. “Weeks-long gigs worth as much as $8,250 are getting reserved for campaign supporters and leadership allies — others need not apply.” (THE CITY)
LISTEN
Frankie Knuckles playing “The Whistle Song” on Top of the Pops from 1991. The whole thing makes me smile, from the dancing to the keytar.
Speaking of house music, here are live recordings and a breakdown of Ron Hardy’s playlists from his days DJing at the Muzic Box.
NOT NEW YORK CITY
I went to North Carolina last week (which explained the What’s Good? absence) and saw some mountains, played some synthesizers, drank some beer, and ate a fried catfish. I also saw a bear much closer than I would have liked. I respect wildlife but I prefer to see these guys at zoos.
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Thanks for reading!