Resident reports jet-ski incident at Hammond beach; officials say beaches closed because lifeguards not on duty

A resident raised concerns about a jet-ski operating near shore while children played at one of Hammond's beaches. Jeff Smits, director of the Hammond Marina and Port Authority, told the meeting that the beaches were closed at the time because the city did not have lifeguards on duty, and that there were limited means to immediately enforce shore-zone behavior when lifeguards are not present.

"The beaches are actually closed because the lifeguards we don't have any lifeguards anymore. So there's no swimming," Smits said. He explained that when lifeguards are on duty during the summer they carry radios and can quickly summon marina or security staff; without lifeguards, officials must rely on boater courtesy and community reporting.

Resident Deborah Banger said she had been at the far end of the beach with relatives when a jet-ski and family "took over" a sand area near the shore and used profanity when asked to move. She said she had contacted the Coast Guard but was told there was limited recourse. Smits said the city has two defined beach areas and a "boater beach" where boats back up to shore; jet-skis and boats can use the boater beach area but enforcement is more difficult when lifeguards are not present.

Officials advised residents to contact marina staff or emergency services if a dangerous situation is occurring and noted that life-guard staffing shortages had left beaches without posted lifeguards at the time of the reported incident. No new marina rules or ordinances were announced at the meeting.