The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department is increasing safety enforcement following more than a dozen drownings last year.
Sheriff Mike Bouchard cautions against swimming and drinking this summer.
“Swimming when you had been drinking and all kinds of things,” Bouchard said. “So that’s not an unusual statistical event either. Just because you’re not piloting a boat, if you’re in and around water, if you’re consuming alcohol or drugs, that impairs your ability to know that you can’t swim or impairs your ability if you are a swimmer and you may not be aware of that impairment.”
Bouchard says boaters should make sure their vessel is in good working order with life jackets for all passengers before you leave the dock.
