SAFETY FIRST

LAKE ARTHUR - Officials here are still seeking ways to deter unsafe behavior at its beach, specifically swimming in prohibited areas.

Police said at a Wednesday meeting that recently, two minors were seen swimming from the shore to the old diving tower located along the boardwalk. The pair then climbed up the boardwalk to get out of the water but did so at an area that did not provide stable footing.

One officer told councilmen that a parent was present and police warned her about the situation.

Some warning signs are already posted at the beach.

“We can put more signs but will they pay attention to those signs?” asked Mayor Sherry Crochet. “We need to start writing tickets, unless it’s kids, then we need to give the parents tickets.”

Police Chief Kobi Turner said officers have been keeping an eye on the park and have already warned and disciplined unsafe swimmers.

“If they are caught, we ban them from the park for a week, then a month if it happens again, and so on,” he said.

Lake Arthur has invested more time and money into its beach in recent years and safe swimming has been one area officials keep tackling.

In 2015, two males drowned on the same day in the lake.