As part of a cost-cutting effort for the new fiscal year, the San Diego City Council approved budget reductions proposed by Mayor Jerry Sanders that included changes to lifeguard operations at Black’s Beach, formally known as Torrey Pines City Beach.

Lifeguards are typically posted at the beach from March to October, a period of eight months. The budget cuts will reduce that period to just over three months — from June to the first week of September (Labor Day) — when two lifeguards will be assigned for duty during mid-day.

An announcement from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (Lifeguard Division) said that they plan to develop a response plan with the State of California Lifeguards for emergencies that may arise in the Black’s Beach area, such as medical aids and water rescues.

According to sandiego.gov, “Lifeguard assistance may take 20 minutes or more to arrive when lifeguards are not on duty at [Black’s Beach].”

Photo: Wannasurf.com

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