Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After Potomac drownings, Elridge says county exploring warnings and access limits but lacks capacity for full river patrols
Summary
Following recent drownings and an ongoing search, County Executive Mark Elridge said the county is reviewing options such as clearer warnings or partial access restrictions but does not have the capacity to station staff along the entire Potomac because much is federal parkland.
Randy Heltreth of WUSA asked County Executive Mark Elridge for an update on additional resources along the Potomac after recent drownings. Elridge said the county is looking into possible measures, including clearer warnings or restricting some access points, but noted jurisdictional and capacity limits: "We don't have the capacity to station people all along the river. We're trying to figure out what within what's within the realm of possibility to try to make people more aware that this is a serious dangerous place."
Elridge acknowledged coordination challenges because parts of the river are federal parkland and said officials will consider what is legally and practically feasible to increase awareness and reduce drownings.
