County officials close McKinley Beach for remainder of 2020 after 3 died in dangerous currents

After at least three people have drowned in dangerous currents at McKinley Beach this year, including two last week, Milwaukee County officials decided to close the beach for the remainder of 2020. 

The decision was officially made on Wednesday by county officials in conjunction with the Milwaukee Health Department, which monitors the water quality. 

“Between our two opinions, with the recent, unfortunate accidents that have happened there, we decided it was best to close the beach to swimming now and until further notice,” said Jeremy Lucas, director of administration and planning for Milwaukee County Parks Department. 

Lucas added the county is evaluating the best way to reopen the beach in 2021. 

“We have not staffed McKinley Beach with lifeguards for, I think, over a decade,” Lucas said. “Without staff to cover and ensure the safety, we decided that it was best that it be closed.” 

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in a statement the tragedies are "a consequence of Milwaukee County’s revenue crisis, which has hampered our ability to maintain and service parks, trails, and beaches like McKinley Beach."

"Thinking long term, we need support from the state legislature to advance our solution to give Milwaukee County new sales tax authority in order to properly serve county residents," the statement reads.

"I know the closure poses another inconvenience for county residents looking to beat the heat, but I encourage those looking to cool off enjoy one of the county’s several other beaches, while remembering to be safe in the water and practicing appropriate physical distancing.” 

Lucas said parts of the Milwaukee shoreline are still recovering from the heavy snow and ice storm that caused major damage in January. He said it would take more investigation to determine if any topographical changes are worsening riptides. 

Jesse D. Brock, 50, drowned Saturday in an attempt to rescue two teens caught in a dangerous current. One of the teens, 14-year-old Tony R. Bishop, also died. On July 18, J'Varius Bankhead, 19, drowned while trying to save two younger cousins from the water.

Issues recruiting, hiring lifeguards

The county has been struggling with recruitment and hiring lifeguards for years despite a $150,000 increase in wages in the 2020 county budget.  

“In 2019, county parks had a difficult time opening all of our facilities every day of the week because we had trouble finding lifeguards and hiring them and recruiting them,” Lucas said. “So, we ended up going with a rotating schedule throughout the system with reduced hours.” 

The shutdown of parks in March because of the coronavirus pandemic also caused problems in recruiting and hiring lifeguards for the year.  

“When all of that shut down, we ended up having to shut down our pipeline for any recruitment that we were going to do and training,” Lucas said. “We have more facilities than we have bodies to staff them.” 

Also, training is different for lifeguards on Lake Michigan than for aquatic centers.  

“Guarding the lake and open water is a very specific skill compared to, you know, a very defined water area like a swimming pool,” Lucas said. “It also requires an additional expertise and we do train for that ... a lifeguard that maybe guards a pool at the YWCA may not be qualified to lifeguard at the beach.” 

County officials are also monitoring other water conditions. 

South Shore Beach and Bender Park Beach were closed Thursday due to “elevated bacteria” levels in the water, Lucas said.