Carolina Beach talks summer safety measures in a busy beach town

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — With summer on the horizon, beach towns are preparing for the busy months ahead. Part of those preparations is making sure there is more than enough staffing of first responders. 

“We have roughly 17,000 calls a year, between Memorial Day to Labor Day, we respond to about half of those just in that 3-and-a-half month, 4-month span,” Sgt. Colby Edens with Carolina Beach Police Department said. 

Carolina Beach is one of several towns getting ready for the busy summer months by adding staff. 

Sgt. Colby Edens with the Carolina Beach Police Department said one addition to its roster includes a ranger who monitors the beach during peak season hours. He said the department also recruits officers for “overtime spots” which helps increase the number of patrols for large events that take place during the summer. 

“Our overtime book that we sign up for is almost completely full and we have spots that are extra that people will sign up for as well to come in and help us out due to our call volume,” Sgt. Edens said. 

He said other law enforcement agencies also assist Carolina Beach Police during the busy summer season. Carolina Beach Fire Department’s Chief Alan Griffin said it’s the joint effort that gets the job done. 

“In the summer months we rely on other town departments to help us with things that’s going on. We try to work together as a team with our P.D. and other operations, just to ensure visitors have a good experience while they’re here,” Chief Griffin said. 

Griffin said much of the focus is on increased beach patrols. 

“Even if we have personnel off, we try to always back staff and make sure we’re fully staffed during those, especially the weekends. In the summer months we hire 40+ lifeguards that patrol the beach,” Griffin said. 

Both Griffin and Edens encourage locals and visitors to swim, boat, and drive responsibly to help minimize the large number of calls received during this time of year.