Q&A
Debate on the administration's approach to water safety education
0:37:47
·
94 sec
Council Member Krishnan criticizes the administration's focus on telling New Yorkers what not to do rather than providing proactive solutions. He argues for more creative measures to address foreseeable issues like swimming outside designated hours.
- Krishnan calls for recognition of the gravity of the water safety crisis
- Discussion on the need for more accessible and effective communication
- Krishnan urges for solutions beyond simply telling people not to swim after hours
- Debate on the balance between education and proactive safety measures
Shekar Krishnan
0:37:47
So, you know, commission, I I wanna address that comment, and and I I do appreciate the measures that were taken.
0:37:54
But what I'm hearing a lot from the administration is what people shouldn't be doing.
0:38:00
Don't swim after hours.
0:38:01
Don't don't go in the water past the red flags.
0:38:05
I heard from one New Yorker who's a parent of youth that passed away.
0:38:10
And drowned.
0:38:11
That would be helpful if the red flags actually had signage or print on them explaining what they mean.
0:38:18
I'm hearing a lot even from the mayor about don't make sure that we don't go out after hours.
0:38:28
But there's the reality that New Yorkers are going to swim later in the day and later in the season given the realities of climate change.
0:38:38
And what I'm not hearing enough of is not what New Yorkers should not be doing.
0:38:42
But what can we do as city government to protect New Yorkers?
0:38:46
And that's not and I agree there's a component of this which is water safety education.
0:38:50
No doubt.
0:38:51
And a component of water safety education is, of course, making sure to swim and letting parents know, be vigilant about your children, going into water after hours.
0:39:01
But there seems to be a disconnect between the array of solutions that are needed beyond reprimanding New Yorkers not to go after hours and finding ways that we can affirmatively address this crisis.
0:39:15
And I think we and the city council would like to see more of those solutions from city hall as we're proposing in our own legislation.
