We are publishing here two letters received by community members referencing the recent NSI on August 4th on Main Beach. Make your voice heard for a Safe and Clean Santa Cruz!
Contacts for County Board of Supervisors
Resources for current counts, reports, or if you find a needle in public spaces (NIPS) , and our Needles Solutions team on Facebook.
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Good evening Councilmembers,
I wanted to let you know that the we had an unfortunate incident occur during the NorCal Junior Guard Competition today on Main Beach today. An instructor from an outside agency was struck by a needle on his foot near Lifeguard tower 2. Fire staff were notified and responded immediately to the scene and followed the established protocols for dealing with this type of situation. The area where the needle was encountered was inspected by Fire personal and then again by Beach maintenance staff. No further needles were found.
City staff notified all the supervisory staff and the participants in our program about the incident, and sent an email to all Jr. Guard parents this evening. Though these incidents are rare, they are very troubling when they occur. In an effort to keep the beach safe for Junior Guards and other beach users, staff will continue the beach maintenance program consisting of daily sifting and visual inspections of the beach. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Scott Collins
Deputy City Manager
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Dear Junior Guard Parents,
I wanted to bring to your attention a very unfortunate incident that occurred during the NorCal Junior Guard Competition today on Main Beach. An instructor from an outside agency was struck by a needle on his foot. Fire staff were notified and responded immediately to the scene and followed the established protocols for dealing with this type of situation. The area where the needle was encountered was inspected by Fire personal and then again by Beach maintenance staff. No further needles were found. Staff notified all the supervisory staff and the participants in our program about the incident.
I am very sorry this happened and understand this is troubling news to hear as parents. The safety of your children is our number one priority. We will continue to do everything we can to keep our beaches safe and clean for our children and everyone who visits them.
We will continue to work hard through our maintenance program and continuing the daily sifting and visual inspections of the beach each day.
Again, I am very sorry that this took place and want to assure you that we will do everything possible to make our programs and our beaches safe and fun for your children. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Jill Bates
Recreation Supervisor
Sadly, there are too many “generous” and “compassionate” people in office and in our communities that do not understand that the line crossed by the “takers” is a product of their own actions or lack thereof. These takers are NOT contributing members of society. They are takers who could NOT even give three shits about THEIR own future, so why would they about OURS?
Our leniency and “giving” efforts have entitled and enabled the dysfunction we live in today. I am super compassionate towards people that continue to be contributing members of my community (even when they are down on their luck). I will not support nor enable those that litter, crap, use needles and discard them on sand/streets/bushes/parks/rivers, and abuse others. No one should…unless you want what we have. OPEN your eyes and be the leaders you were voted into office to be. PUT FAMILIES FIRST!