The following press release was issued by the City of Newport Beach, in response to an incident that occurred earlier this week. (That incident is currently under investigation by the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 26, 2018
Contact: Mary Locey - 949-644-3031
Lifeguards to Patrol the Lido Bridge Area
NEWPORT BEACH, CA – In response to increase reports of bridge jumping, and a recent incident involving a passing vessel, the City of Newport Beach (City) is posting lifeguard personnel to the Lido Bridge area through Labor Day.
Lido Bridge is the only connection for residents on Lido Isle to the Balboa Peninsula and is a busy thoroughfare for vessels operating in Newport Harbor. Even though “no jumping or diving” signs are posted along the bridge, this summer the City has seen an increase in activity and will be stepping up enforcement efforts.
City lifeguards will be posted on the bridge and the adjacent beach area every day starting today, Thursday, July 26. In addition, lifeguards will use their patrol boat to monitor the area from the water.
Jumping from the bridge is prohibited by the Newport Beach Municipal Code and violators are subject to citation.
Earlier this week, a male suspect landed on a passing vessel. The suspect fled the scene. The female passenger suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported for medical attention. This was the City’s first reported incident involving a jumper landing on a vessel.
