Multiple States Increase Lake Patrols for Memorial Day Safety

As Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the busy boating and water recreation season across various U.S. locations, local authorities are intensifying safety patrols and precautions to prevent accidents. At Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia, conservation officers are increasing weekday and weekend patrols to reduce boating incidents on one of the state's busiest lakes. Similarly, the Yuma County Sheriff's Office in Arizona is ramping up patrols at Martinez Lake to enforce boating laws, educate the public on safety, and prevent fire hazards following a major wildfire caused by a flare gun last year. In Oregon, American Medical Response has deployed trained river rescue lifeguards at popular swimming spots to supervise swimmers and offer safety advice, contributing to a significant reduction in fatal drownings. Oklahoma City Police are also actively patrolling Lake Hefner, emphasizing life vest use and enforcing restrictions such as no swimming and no alcohol to ensure public safety during the holiday. Across these regions, the common focus remains on increasing law enforcement presence and public education to mitigate risks and enhance water safety during the high-traffic Memorial Day weekend.