Comment

Comment by XLFD on September 3, 2013 at 6:06pm

If they want to hurry up out to the lighthouse to enforce regulations, then they should not be breaking rules themselves in so doing.  They got legs; white dress shirts shouldn't grant them immunity on the laws they actually enforce on others. 

If it's an actual emergency, then they can do what it takes to get out there and Godspeed to them. 

Comment by AQUAMAN on September 3, 2013 at 12:03pm

The last few years I have witnessed many kids jumping off the end of the breakwall at the lighthouse to swim. This in itself, with boat traffic coming and going steadily, is an accident waiting to happen. Having said that, I would guess that was the problem at hand. Why can't a speaker on the lighthouse be installed to alert the walking traffic there to dangers? And violations? That way, a BP official could stay on the beach, and still offer guidance down that pathway. Either way, two wrongs don't make a right, unless of course, you are an official in the COL.

Comment by Willy on September 3, 2013 at 9:39am

In all fairness to the Beach Patrol, the breakwater is part of their jurisdiction to monitor. He probably saw a violation while scanning with his binoculars and rode out to inform the violator to discontinue whatever they were doing. I saw the ORV take a ride out to the lighthouse last week. Whoever was driving it got out and looked around the lighthouse. I figure he also saw something that needed his attention. I have to agree with wonder woman that if the Beach Patrol is out on the breakwater then they are taking themselves away for the beach in case of an emergency.

Comment by XLFD on September 3, 2013 at 8:34am

I thought I recognized him from the hospital, he is a charming individual either way, and Murphy, the other Beach Patroller is a nice guy too.  Any criticism I level here is not against either one personally, but professionally as a member of the Beach Patrol, and it's more of an indictment against their leadership. 

The Beach Patrol was established to save lives, save money, and save face for our City Government who cut the lifeguard program in 2009 and had three lives lost out at Stearn's Park the next year.  One of those, at least, would likely have been saved with the lifeguard program.  

Going back to lifeguards would have been akin to admitting that Ludington leaders made a mistake, so they adopted the BP the next year.  Problem is, funding the 2 member per week BP costs more than having three lifeguards out there every summer day, who actually stayed at their stations on summer days particular when advisories were present.  The BP enforce codes, mainly parking and other annoying infractions, but break them at the same time by riding their ORV on the beach and in the city streets, and doing stunts like riding their bike out to the lighthouse, when there is heavy foot traffic on the breakwall and the sign says "no".   If you can find them at the the beach; I have an end of summer random sampling study that may surprise you about the Beach Patrol about to come out.  

Comment by Wonder Woman on September 2, 2013 at 5:13pm

I'm not sure why he is riding his bike on the breakwater.  It seems like he has distanced himself from the beach if there were an emergency he needed to tend to.  On the other hand, at least he's out "patrolling" the breakwater and beach area instead of just sitting in the ORV doing nothing.

As far as Mr. Kennedy, I've talked to him at the beach and he is a class act individual.  I've also talked to him at the hospital as he works there, too.  Frankly, he's probably the best employee LPD has in terms of being respectful and ethical. 

Comment by XLFD on September 2, 2013 at 4:13pm

I think his last name is Kennedy, it is the beach patroller you normally see on the bike if you've been down to the beach.  He seems like a personable enough fellow, but I've heard that him or his partner have issued stern warnings to other bikers about doing what he's doing.  Not me; I especially wouldn't think of riding my bike down there during the time when the SS Badger is coming in.

They may tell you it is for your own safety and to avoid inconveniencing other users of the narrow walkway, before threatening to cite you if you don't comply.  But it's okay if they do it on a lark.

Comment by XLFD on September 1, 2013 at 9:49pm

Here he is coming back after a successful ride out to the lighthouse.

"Beach Patrol!  We can drive ORVs across public beaches,

Beach Patrol!  We can drive ORVs across all City streets,

Beach Patrol! We can be miles away from the beach and patrol,

Beach Patrol, We can ride our bikes on the breakwall."