ST. JOSEPH — Berrien County commissioners agreed Thursday to install signs at Silver Beach County Park warning beachgoers about the dangers of pier jumping.

The signs are a compromise.

Earlier this summer a stronger measure outlawing pier jumping outright stalled when communities like St. Joseph rejected the county's proposed ban, saying it would be too difficult to enforce.

A few county commissioners, such as Jeanette Leahey, have continued to pushed for safety measures at Lake Michigan beaches.

She called the unanimous vote approving the signs a "good compromise."

"For now it's better than nothing there, especially for tourists," she said.

The red, white and black signs will be posted at the north end of the beach adjacent to the south pier. Another sign will be posted at the north end of the concrete walkway leading up to the south pier near the Shadowland Pavilion, she said.

The signs are in English and Spanish and they warn swimmers that there are no lifeguards or life preservers on piers and that diving or jumping off piers "can be extremely dangerous."

Commissioner Robert Wooley, who also has supported safety measures on county-run beaches, said the signs are really meant to educate tourists.

He said many Berrien County residents who visit Lake Michigan beaches know about the lake's rip currents and strong undercurrents.

People from out of town don't, he said.

Since 1981, at least eight people have drowned after jumping off South Pier, county officials said.

The latest drowning was last year when a teen from Elkhart jumped off the pier in choppy water several times and on his last jump, failed to surface.

Divers found his body the next day.

Leahey said the county will share the information about adding signs on beaches with St. Joseph and New Buffalo city officials so they can consider adding similar signs on their piers.

She said the signs cost about $90 each.