Grants Pass, Ore.– Most people visit Baker Park for fishing, relaxing, and swimming on the Rogue River.
But just two weeks ago, a 7-year-old boy died while swimming there.
“We don’t want to hear of any of these unfortunate accidents we want to be able to do something to prevent it,”said Jennifer Souza, a Community Service Officer with Grants Pass Police.
She said life vests will be placed at Baker Park for kids starting next April.
“Instead of renting life jackets out what we though of doing was makign them available for free for kids.”
Souza said there will be 15 vests available in infant, youth, and child sizes. She also said no one will be monitoring them so it’s all based on the honor system.
The program has a $2,000 dollar price tag. Paid for by the Grants Pass Police Association.
An investment Souza hopes will start saving lives April 2015. Visitors of the Rogue said they couldn’t agree more.
“A vest is a good idea. It only takes a second for something to happen,” said Mike Keehmer.
The next step will be to present the idea to the city council so they can endorse it.
Souza said the vests will be out from April to September.
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