Life rings stolen along West Cliff Drive
This week, Santa Cruz resident, Mike Kolar, discovered a ” life ring ” station along West Cliff Drive had been vandalized.
Kolar was shocked to see the station’s cover torn off and the flotation device gone. Kolar said the missing piece of equipment could very well save someone’s life.
” We had a large south swell running at the time. These can be very vital for saving someone that’s fallen off the cliff or is in distress in the water, ” said Kolar.
Kolar said he has seen dangerous scenarios before. As a seasoned surfer, he said he once saved a young girl from the waves. He said if a ” life ring ” were nearby the rescue would have been a lot easier.
” The first responders out here are great but sometimes the transmissions get messed up. That is why having these ‘ life rings’ out here are so vital. It could be that split-second thing that could save someone’s life, ” said Kolar.
Someone placed a new flotation device at the station, so there is something available if needed.
Kolar hopes the City of Santa Cruz will do their part and make the stations more secure.
” I don’t understand someone’s mentality. Who would damage something that he may need to use himself or some innocent person. That’s really sad that someone would do that, ” said Santa Cruz resident, Alan Nelson.
