Community Members:

On this Labor Day weekend, which marks the official end of the summer season, I thought it would be fitting to recognize the men and women who help ensure the safety of residents and visitors on our beaches -- our City lifeguard team.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Newport Beach lifeguards, marking a century of commitment to the safety and well-being of our community.

The team was formed from humble beginnings in 1923, when a small group of water enthusiasts took on the responsibility of safeguarding our shores. Today we have a world-class, highly-trained team of professionals whose dedication has saved countless lives. 

Consider these statistics from the summer 2023 peak season (June 10 through this week):

• Lifeguards performed 27,306 preventive actions, warning swimmers about dangerous ocean conditions or unsafe behaviors.
• 1,152 ocean rescues were made. 
• First aid was administered 858 times.
• Medial aid, assistance at a higher level than first aid, was administered 146 times. 
• 323 stingray wounds were treated. 
• Other types of public assistance were provided 975 times. 
• Boaters were assisted 158 times. 

In all, over the course of the summer, their work amounted to nearly 30,000 contacts with the public.

As we all know, our lifeguards are more than rescuers. They are community ambassadors, role models, and educators. Through ocean safety programs – most notably the Junior Lifeguard Program -- they have empowered generations with the knowledge and skills needed to enjoy the ocean responsibly. This summer, 1,419 young people were able to experience the Junior Lifeguard Program.

Thank you to all our City lifeguards, including the management team led by Fire Chief Jeff Boyles and Chief Lifeguard Brian O'Rourke, as well as the many seasonal lifeguards who are critical to the success of our beach safety efforts.  

City Manager, Grace K. Leung

Labor Day Trash Collection and Street Sweeping Information

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Newport Beach City Hall and most City facilities will be closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 4.

There will be no street sweeping and no trash or recycling collection on Monday.

Please note that refuse and recycling collection services will shift forward by one day for the entire week, starting Tuesday, September 5 through Sunday, September 10.

Newport Beach, known for its pristine beaches and picturesque harbors, has long been committed to preserving its natural resources. To further increase the City's ability to monitor and maintain water quality in Newport Harbor, the City's Harbor Department recently deployed two state-of-the-art water quality sensing buoys, or DataPods, in the harbor.

The water quality sensing buoys, developed by Clean Earth Rovers, are equipped with cutting-edge technology that allows for real-time monitoring of water quality data essential for maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. 

The DataPod buoys are equipped with advanced sensors that can detect and report changes in water quality in real-time, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection. The gathered data is transmitted via cellular signal to a central computer system monitored by the Harbor Department. With the ability to continuously monitor and collect data on key water quality metrics such as temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH levels, City staff can address any issues more quickly and effectively.

Water quality in Newport Harbor is of paramount importance, both for recreation and the health of marine life. This data-driven approach will significantly enhance the City's ability to maintain and improve Newport Harbor's water quality.

The Be Well mobile crisis response team operates in Newport Beach 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to mental and behavioral health crises. The mobile unit is staffed with mental health specialists and works closely with the City’s police and fire departments.

This week, the Be Well team:

• Transported two people to an emergency shelter ahead of Tropical Storm Hilary.
• Transported two people to the sobering station at the Be Well campus.
• Transported a person home after resolving a mental health crisis.

TO REACH BE WELL: The mobile crisis team is dispatched through the Newport Beach Police Department. To request service, dial 911 or call the Police Department's non-emergency line at 949-644-3717.