City officials try to address lifeguard shortage at Baltimore pool

Baltimore — A nationwide lifeguard shortage affects about a third of the country’s public swimming pools, including some here in Baltimore.

The city’s Recreation and Parks Department has been trying to get around the problem this summer.

But officials warn of the dangers that come with it.

“It affects our capacity,” said Karen Jordan, deputy director of recreation.

Some pools and splash pads were closed completely, while others were forced to operate with restricted hours.

“We allow a lot of swimmers depending on how many lifeguards we have,” Jordan said.

She said the reason for this is to ensure the safety of all visitors to the pool.

“I understand they want to swim, but it’s very dangerous to swim without a lifeguard,” Jordan said.

Limited time also poses another problem.

“Unfortunately, we experienced a water facility intrusion during off-hours,” Jordan said.

Last month, Baltimore police used a helicopter, commonly known as the Foxtrot, to order after-hours swimmers out of the Patterson Park swimming pool.

A few weeks later, a 15-year-old boy was hospitalized after nearly drowning in the Roosevelt Park pool around 9:30 p.m.

“The fences out there are there to keep everyone safe…to keep people safe,” Jordan said. This is a life or death situation and we don’t want people getting hurt or rambling through the pool.”

The department is doing everything it can to fill lifeguard vacancies, Jordan said. I don’t want to face the same problem next year, so I’m recruiting all year round.

“We’ve increased lifeguard salaries and also added incentives for bonus payments,” she said.