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Family of teen who drowned urges North Miami Beach to install donated life rings; commission accepts first set
Summary
Aiden Perry’s mother, founder of the Aden Perry Good Samaritan and Scholarship Fund, asked the City Commission to install life rings along city waterways. The nonprofit offered the city its first 10 life rings; commissioners pledged up to 20 rings and some council members pledged contingency funds for installation and signage.
The mother of a teen who died attempting a water rescue urged the North Miami Beach City Commission to install life rings along canals and other waterways, and offered the city a donation of 10 “Aiden’s Hero Life Rings” to start the program.
Speaking as president of the Aden Perry Good Samaritan and Scholarship Fund, she described donating more than 500 life rings through her foundation and said the devices are made to be thrown to someone in distress so a good Samaritan can try to save a life without entering the water. “My son died a hero,” she said. The presenter said the foundation will donate the first 10 rings and can offer the city discounted pricing on additional rings.
Commissioners responded with support; Commissioner Smith said she had seen lives saved with the life rings. Commissioner Jean and others asked the Police and Parks departments to conduct an assessment to identify where rings should be placed, and staff agreed to prepare cost and location estimates. Commissioner Smuckler said he would use contingency funds to buy 10 additional rings for distribution at locations the presenter recommended. Commissioners discussed coordinating installation with Public Works or Parks & Recreation and covering the cost of posts, signs and rope, which the presenter said cost roughly $60 per ring and $34.50 for signs when purchased through the foundation’s partners.
Public outreach and a dedication ceremony were suggested as part of installation so residents know the devices are for emergency use, and staff said the Police Department would help identify public‑access sites. Commissioners and the presenter discussed educational demonstrations to accompany roll‑out so residents would know how to use the rings and to publicize them on social media and at community events.
No formal vote was required; the presenter’s donation of 10 rings was accepted and multiple commissioners committed city or personal funds to expand the program and to have staff report back on cost and placement recommendations.
