City of South Haven introduces new lifeguard chief

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. -- The new lifeguard chief, David Figueredo, was introduced at City Commission meeting on Monday. 

South Haven shut down their lifeguard programs over cost and liability concerns in the 1990s. 

In the following years since that decision, the city has faced lawsuits from families of multiple victims. 

After years of community effort, a vote was made to bring lifeguards back. 

Dave Benjamin, Executive Director of Great Lakes Surf Rescue project, stated, "The city has been presented about seven lifeguard plans since 2019 to enact and has failed to enact any of them until now. “We’re hoping that this is a steppingstone – a turning point where lifeguards become the priority for this beach and water safety becomes a priority for the town and tourists.”