Some police worried about enforcing proposed pier jumping ban

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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By Jim Pinkerton

Story Created: Jun 24, 2008 at 8:17 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 29, 2008 at 11:21 AM EST

BERRIEN COUNTY — People are jumping feet first into summer and Lake Michigan, but Berrien County wants to ban the deadly summer pastime and fine jumpers $250.

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It's similar to a ban New Buffalo has in place already. Not every city supports it, but at the one year anniversary of a man's death from pier jumping, his family hopes it can save other lives.

One year ago, David Lambert, 20, took a giant leap at Silver Beach.

"You jump in, the waves pull you away and back, then you are slammed into all those rocks and the structure under the pier," explained Shirley Weslowski of how her grandson died.

She says an ordinance banning jumping would have saved him.

"If they had a sign up there that said, 'No jumping off the pier. $250 fine.' He didn't have lots of money. Never ever would he have seen that sign would he have ever done it," said Weslowski.

There's a sign at New Buffalo Beach telling people to go onto the breakwater at their own risk.

"We have had people jump off not realizing there are rocks beneath the water and cut their chins or heads open," said lifeguard Brianna Schmitz.

The city already fines jumpers $50. Ryan Fellows, the city manager's assistant, says the fine stops most people. That's why New Buffalo supports Berrien County's proposed ban.

"It's basically an echo of our existing ordinance," said Fellows.

But St. Joe isn't ready to jump in.

Police say in 25 years, only three jumpers have died.

Because of the length of the pier, the St. Joe Police Chief Mark Clapp says one officer would have to be stationed on the pier 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to enforce the ordinance.

"We can't stop people from making poor decisions," said Chief Clapp.

Pictures of David remind Weslowski why she's fighting for the ban.

"No matter what, you can't get this back jumping off the pier," she said.

People will have a chance to tell the county how they feel. There will be a public meeting at 10:45 Thursday morning at the Berrien County Administrative Building.

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