Evening star., 1925-06-07
POLICE TO PATROL
RIVER FOR BATHERS
Will Guard Swimmers Where
| Possible, But Will Form
No Safety Zones.

Recognizing the increased peril to
human life and the additional haz-
ards of river bathing this year because
of the abolition of the Tidal Basin
bathing beach. special preventive
steps to guard as far as possible
against such perils have been taken
by Acting Chief of Police Charles A.
Evans, 1t was announced last night
Inspector Evans. at a meeting of
captains and lieutenantS of various
precincts, issued special instructions
that every precaution be taken in all
precincts where there are streams of
water sufficient for bathing and such
policemen as have such streams on
their beats have been given orders to
safeguard civilians from latent dan
gers in such swimming places.
Precincts Responsible.
Each precinct will be responsible
for patroling the water in il. and al
though police are without power to
make arrests promiSCuouSly for bath
ing when bathers are properly clad,
then can warn any batherS who may
be taking too many chances of their
danger.
In addition. three boats will be avail
able for river patrol work-one from
the seventh precinct and two from
the harbOr precinct-to run up and
down the river and be ready for any
emergency which may arise. accord
ing to Inspector Evans.
The life-saving unit of the Red
Cross, 1t is understood, is ready to fur
nish life preserverS for use in case of
emergencies on river banks, but the
knowledge that such an offer might
be made got cool reception from In
spector Evans.
He also did not express any en-
thusiasm regarding more stringent
regulations as TO bathing in the Po-
tomac this Summer and the suggeS-
ton that the lead of st. Louis which
instituted safety swimming zones
along the river near the city also met
with no welcome.
Existing Laws Sufficient.
The attitude of the Police Depart
ment, as expressed in an interview
with Inspector Evans, is that the
laws already in existence are the sub
ject matter of enforcement for the
police force. while additional innova-
tions could scarcely be of any great
benefit
Even before the abolition of the
bathing beach Inspector Evans
said. there were drowningS in the
Potomac every Summer. ] suppose
we will not be fortunate enough 70
consider ii sufficient to have the three
patrol boats on the river without in.
stituting any safety zones and de-
failing policemen for special work in
handling those who desire to take the
risk of swimming in the river.
People know of the danger. If they
take the risk, and they will take il in
spite of everything we can do, why,
l can't see how the police, who have
taken all reasonable precautions. can
be held responsible. In view of the
present situation | have given special
instruction to captains regarding pa
trolling of the streams in the vicinity"
The suggestion of safety swimming
zones along the Potomac. from the
Key Bridge to the Chain Bridge, while
it met with favor among the campers
on the river, failed to enlist the CO.
operation of the Police Department
and the probability from the present
viewpoint is that the river swimming
will continue under the same circum-
stances that marked such swimming
in previous years, with the attendant
and increased perils.