Thanks to the concerted effort of Hollywood residents, weekday beach-goers will continue to have their lives guarded.
Following protests from residents, plans to cut 31 part-time lifeguard positions were abandoned. This idea came about in an effort to save money, during a tight budget year. The plan would have left the north and south end of Hollywood beach lifeguard-less on weekdays.
More than 1,100 people signed a petition on change.org asking city administration to not eliminate these lifeguard positions. Many residents also called city officials, personally expressing their concern.
Ed Galindo, who organized the effort, is satisfied with the result. “We need these lifeguards and it would have been a bad idea to eliminate these positions,” he said.
Vice Mayor Peter Hernandez said he is glad that the lifeguards remained on the job. “We need to have those lifeguards on the beach,” he said.