Public Employee Press

Two lifeguards honored for public safety

The Parks and Recreation Dept. honored two union Lifeguards as Employees of the Month for their heroism and quick action in July when a 10-year-old beachcomber dug up a loaded pistol on Coney Island Beach.

The 'tween and her mom were on a midday walk along the Brooklyn shoreline when they spotted the weapon poking out of the sand near West 19th Street. They brought the gun to City Lifeguards Ashley Keane and Jillian O'Hara, who are members of Local 461. They contacted the New York Police Dept.'s 60th Precinct, and cops found a single bullet in the gun.

"This is just one example of the day-to-day work the 1,500 young men and women who are City Lifeguards do to protect New Yorkers at public beaches," said Local 508 President Peter Stein. "This is the first time in nearly two decades that the Parks Department has had no drownings or fatalities at its beaches and pools. It's been the perfect summer."