OSOYOOS TIMES-July 1, 2009
Summer is here and it’s time to step up the enforcement of the “No diving or jumping” policy in effect at the Hwy. 3 bridge that connects east and west Osoyoos.
Since the hot weather arrived, it’s not uncommon to see scores of people in swimsuits hanging around at the bridge, often on the wrong side of the guard rails, waiting for the chance to jump into the water below.
An incident involving a young man, alcohol and a jump from the bridge last week has shown yet again that police and bylaw enforcement officers need to be more vigilant.
Yes, we can’t rely on young people and tourists to obey or even notice the signs posted at either end of the bridge warning against taking a plunge into the lake from the sidewalks.
But the people who are jumping and diving from the bridge, into a busy corridor for boat traffic, are doing so in broad daylight when there are many people out and about so there’s no excuse for not being aware of the problem.
Obvious groupings of people in swimwear lingering on the bridge should make it easy for law enforcement officials to stop such activities.
The fact people are ignoring the rules and are being allowed to continue to jump or dive from the bridge in full view of the public raises another problem:
The encouragement of others, especially younger children.
One small boy, after seeing people jumping or diving from the bridge last week, asked his mother why he couldn’t engage in the same activity.
Since bridge jumping is now seen as a cool activity in Osoyoos while a blind eye is often turned towards the problem, it’s only a matter of time until someone drowns, hits a boat or is injured or killed.
And that would make for an unpleasant summer for this community.
Editor’s Note:
The Osoyoos Times would like to welcome Laurena Weninger to its editorial team.
Laurena has been reporting in this area for nearly 10 years and we’re glad to have her on board to help bring the news to the community.
