San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mark is calling for more attention to the dangers of swimming at Ocean Beach and is working with agencies to quell those concerns.
Mar believes there needs to be more visibility around the area when it comes to the dangers of swimming at Ocean Beach.
"I think a lot of the issues are people think this is a swimming beach and it's not," Mar said.
The United States Coast Guard on Wednesday held a rescue demonstration while Mar met with firefighters and Ocean Beach patrol to discuss the dangers of swimming at the beach.
The concerns have been around for many years, but even more so after two teens drowned in the ocean in April.
"When somebody even wades out with their ankles, there's a danger of being pulled in by what's called rip currents," Mar said.
There are warning signs about the rip currents around the beach, but Mar would like to see more signage closer to the water. He would also like to see an overall increase in awareness.
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"They say I'm just going to wade in ankle-deep water," San Francisco Fire Lt. Jonathan Baxter said. "Well that ankle-deep water can have four to five waves coming in crashing upon them."
Baxter agrees with Mar as far as increasing awareness near the water and he said his department passes out fliers at Ocean Beach to get the word out.
"We have had our fire apparatus, our fire rescue engines and units come out here, park their vehicle and walk along the beach with fliers in hand," Baxter said.
Mar hopes to make some of the changes in the coming months and also plans to meet with the agencies again toward the end of the summer.
