Public Employee Press

Lifeguards honored at Coney Island beach

In a ceremony held Aug. 26 on the boardwalk at Coney Island, two Brooklyn political leaders honored union Lifeguards and supervisors for their dedication to protecting New York beachgoers.

Throughout this summer’s swimming season, there were no drownings at beaches where city Lifeguards were on guard.

With Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Lifeguard Supervisors Local 508 President Peter Stein and Lifeguards Local 461 President Franklyn Paige looking on proudly, City Council member Domenic Recchia Jr. and state legislators Diane Savino and Alec Brook-Krasny presented citations to the Lifeguards.

“Day in and day out, regardless of the weather, our members are on the job making the beaches and pools safe for everyone,” said Stein. “Unfortunately, sometimes they don’t get the credit they deserve.”

In a surprise morale booster that Stein and Paige had arranged, a small plane flew above the ceremony, trailing a banner that read, “NYC LIFEGUARDS SIMPLY THE BEST — DC 37.”

Benepe said the public honor for the Lifeguards was long overdue. “Lifeguard is one of the toughest jobs in the city. We take for granted what they do every day. They’re out in the cold, tough surf, dealing with hundreds of thousands, if not a million people on a busy day. You don’t hear about it, but every day they’re making rescues or keeping people out of trouble by being vigilant,” he said.