City to Study Hiring Lifeguards for Beach

Last month’s drowning of a 15-year-old boy off Oxnard State Beach has prompted city leaders to consider hiring lifeguards to patrol the often-dangerous shoreline.

Responding to a request from Mayor Manuel Lopez, city staff members will prepare a report that estimates the cost of having lifeguards at the beach, about a mile north of county-owned Hollywood Beach.

The city currently relies on city firefighters, county lifeguards and the U.S. Coast Guard to respond to trouble in local waters.

Lopez said that perennially cash-strapped Oxnard will likely have to ask for assistance to pay for the extra protection.

“I don’t know what the cost would be,” Lopez said.

“I would hope we could persuade the state, the county, or the businesses to cooperate. I’d hate to see us just say, we can’t do anything and leave it at that.

“It’s a very dangerous beach,” Lopez added, referring to Oxnard State Beach, where currents are especially strong. “We could put signs on it, but we would need more than that, if it’s at all possible.”

Oxnard Parks and Facilities Supt. Michael Henderson said officials may also take a look at putting lifeguards near Mandalay Beach Resort and other beach areas along Mandalay Beach Road.

Henderson said one option would be to contract with the county for lifeguards.

Alex Cabrera, who was learning to swim, died after being pulled under by rip currents near Oxnard State Beach on July 11. County lifeguards at Hollywood Beach were the closest to the scene.