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Maricopa officials, partners urge life jackets and safety as Lake Pleasant visitor numbers rise
Summary
At a Lake Pleasant press conference, Maricopa County officials, Arizona Game and Fish and the sheriff's office highlighted 16 drownings and 144 search-and-rescues last year, promoted a life jacket loaner program and boating education, and urged precautions for boaters and hikers ahead of the holiday season.
Ronald O'Connor and Teresa O'Connor, residents who said they "love lake life," described near‑accidents and urged caution at a press conference at Lake Pleasant where Maricopa County officials and partner agencies highlighted water- and trail-safety measures.
The gathering, organized by Chairman Thomas Galvin, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Arizona Game and Fish, came as county agencies pointed to last year's safety statistics: "There were 16 drownings in Maricopa County last year, and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was called out to assist with 144 search and rescues," a speaker said.
Why it matters: County officials said many drownings are preventable and used the event to promote programs and simple precautions they say reduce risk. "Make sure children are safe and make sure children are not left unattended. But also, don't consume alcohol if you're gonna be driving a boat," Chairman Thomas Galvin said, adding advice on hiking and hydration.
Officials described two specific safety resources. Jennifer Waller, parks director for Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, said more than 1,000,000 people visit Lake Pleasant annually and encouraged visitors to use life jackets and visit with friends: "Wear the life jacket and and come out here with friends and have a good time." Josh Hoffman of Arizona Game and Fish described the agency's boating-education offerings: "We have powerboat courses. They are classroom, only not hands on, but it's education, boating safety education. We have online options, including a Spanish online version. We have in person boating education classes here at the Discovery Center once a month." The county also highlighted a life jacket loaner program.
Speakers and witnesses emphasized common-sense steps visitors can take: use life jackets, avoid alcohol when operating a boat, research hiking routes, tell others when you go hiking, avoid hiking alone when possible and hydrate before leaving home.
The O'Connors told the group they had helped pull people from the water on several occasions and said that, despite enjoying wildlife and cooling off at the lake, they had encountered "some scary situations" that informed their support for safety measures.
Officials said the push for public education and loaner life jackets is intended to reduce preventable drownings and relieve demand on emergency responders. For more information, speakers pointed audiences to Maricopa County Parks and Recreation and Arizona Game and Fish for program schedules and boating-education enrollment.
