Campaign set for beach flags awareness
PANAMA CITY BEACH - It doesn't get much more obvious than two bright red flags, but Sheriff Frank McKeithen said some people still aren't catching on.
After a summer of rough waters and a rapid tempo of beach rescues, the Bay County Sheriff's Office is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the beach flags warning system. The first two volleys of the campaign are scheduled to begin next week. First, a short commercial film about the dangers of rip currents will be distributed to potential beach-goers.
BCSO spokeswoman Ruth Sasser said the department is working with the Grand Theatre 16 at Pier Park to have the film played as a public service announcement.
"That's right in the heart of the tourist area," she said. "We feel they'll be a lot of people that are going out on the beach that are passing through that theater, and we really want to hit that target audience with that message."
Second, the BCSO will print a red "door-knocker" to hang on doorknobs and rearview mirrors.
McKeithen said the target of the new campaign is to snag the attention of those who are either ignorant of or oblivious to the current flag system.
"I've been here long enough to know that people that know they can drown on double-red flags are still going to go in the water, some of them," he said. "But I've found through the past few weeks ... that a lot of people don't know about the flag system or are just not paying attention.
"I've actually been out talking with people asking questions: ‘Hey, how long you been here? Do you guys know about the flag system?' And I was totally shocked at the people that said they didn't know about the flag system."
Despite the volume of water rescue calls, McKeithen said the Sheriff's Office has not experienced manpower shortages. A set number of deputies is dedicated to the beach patrol and the number is adjusted as needed. Nevertheless, McKeithen said he feels personally responsible for safety at the beach.
"I feel very strong about it," McKeithen said, "because unless you've been there, standing in our shoes, those beach guys, and pulling those people out of the water while their families are standing there crying and screaming ... then you have other people going in the water - I don't think people really understand how dangerous and treacherous
that water is when it's a rip tide."
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| Hey McKeithen, We are not ignorant tourist, just ill-informed visitors as to beach safety. Using a flag system solely for beach safety, as a life saving device, is --irresponsible. Tourist do not take your flag system seriously because PCB does not take seriously their job to protect and educate their major investment, us tourist. Also, the term is rip current not rip tide.
Imagine PCB streets guarded by flags alone. FYI Tourist expect and assume full coverage re street and beach safety. You set the tone.
Jan Nelson
Tourist Advocate
Beach Safety Awareness |
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| Jan Nelson - Feb 16, 2009 09:51:08 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I don't think it really is not nowing, but finding what the current flags are. I have searched for info on current conditions on tv and on line but haven't found what the current flags are. I hate to think that I have to go to the beach to find that out. People, I think, after getting kids ready and then driving to the beach only to find red flags don't want to turn around and go home . They hang out and then thinking that just wading a little bit in the water woill be safe. That is untill something bad happens. I think a easily found web site or phone number to call so one can find the local conditions would help.
If there is such a site or number it needs to be out there where we can use it. I have lived in Bay County forover a year and sill have not found a source for current beach conditions |
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| Lois D - Aug 16, 2008 03:53:45 PM | Remove Comment |