Laguna Beach chief of marine safety urges swimmers to follow lifeguards, pack out trash

Kai Bonn, chief of marine safety, urged beachgoers in Laguna Beach in a brief public statement to swim near lifeguards, obey warnings about cliffs and rocks and ocean conditions, and take their trash with them.

Bonn said the priorities are visitor safety and protecting beach habitat: “The ocean is a wonderful place to experience, but it also needs our cautious respect,” he said. He told visitors to “always swim near a lifeguard” and to be knowledgeable about offshore currents.

The city’s marine safety team also stressed onshore behavior rules. Bonn said patrons should not be under the influence while on the beach, should observe local laws on littering, and follow rules about umbrellas and canopies so lifeguards’ sight lines are not impaired. “First, we expect you to pack out what you pack in,” he said.

Bonn described how the city manages cleanliness: Laguna Beach increases trash service in the summer with more pickups and deploys a contractor, Spectrum, to act as day porters to clean and stock restrooms. He told residents to report problems with trash collection or restrooms through the city’s Ask Laguna system and said the marine safety team will respond as quickly as possible.

The statement closed with thanks to residents who participate in beach cleanups. “We see you at our beach cleanups and picking up trash on your own, and we appreciate it,” Bonn said.

No formal actions or votes were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt; the remarks were presented as informational guidance.