As summer approaches, Orange County law enforcement and emergency services officials reminded residents to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.
At a May 24 press conference in Port Jervis, officials offered safety tips on activities such as fireworks, swimming, boating, hiking, and party celebrations.
“It is the human element that we are here to talk about—the good decision-making about being safe [so] that you have the most fun possible when you get out,” county district attorney David Hoovler said.
The summer safety awareness event was sponsored by Goshen-based Dana Distributors.
On water safety, residents are advised to wear life jackets when swimming or boating.
According to Ingrid Peterec from the National Park Services, an average of two people drown every year in the Upper Delaware River, which flows along the western border of Orange County; most drowned while swimming in the river.
“When you are looking at the river, it does tend to look very placid,” Peterec said at the press conference. “But if you find yourself in that water, you [will feel] the current that is running underneath.”
She reminded people not to panic or try to stand up when in water but to float on their backs and gently paddle themselves to the shore.
“With the current as hard and fast as it is, it can actually push you over even if you are wearing a life jacket, so please do not try to stand up in the water,” she said.
Brendan Casey, the commissioner of emergency services, said the county recently invested in specialized rescue equipment that can be tossed by first responders to the individuals in water to pull them ashore.
Road Safety
Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden said that tourist traffic grows during the summertime and that drivers should pay more attention to their surroundings.
“We ask you to please be proactive when you are driving out there—watch out for pedestrians crossing the road,” he said. “You are also going to see an increased number of bicyclists on the roadways.”
When residents go out hiking and biking, they are advised to take their cell phones with them and tell close ones about their plans, Hoovler said.
And they should always wear a helmet, he added.
As to fireworks, Hoovler reminded residents that aerial fireworks are illegal in New York.
Handheld or ground-based sparkling devices are generally allowed in the state, except in municipalities that have enacted local bans.
During the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, law enforcement agencies throughout the county will put more officers out on the street to deter intoxicated drivers.
“When you see law enforcement out there, take a minute to thank them because they are out there protecting you when they can be with their families,” Hoovler said.
According to traffic safety program administrator John Jones, arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses in the county rose from an annual average of 1,200 to 1,478 in 2022.
This year, DWI arrests are on pace to surpass that of 2022, he said.
“As we come into Memorial Day, which is the unofficial kickoff of summer, we all like to have fun, and with fun, we have to have responsibility,” Jones said.
