ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Swimming in and partying near natural waterways in Allentown and Reading creates public nuisances and serious dangers for first responders, leaders from both cities said Tuesday.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and Reading Mayor Eddie Moran held a news conference at Cedar Beach Pool to urge people to stay out of streams, creeks and rivers throughout the region.
They also highlighted city ordinances that ban swimming in natural waterways.
“Enough warning, guys. The talk must stop” and enforcement must ramp up.Reading Mayor Eddie Moran
The mayors were flanked by their police chiefs as they promised more enforcement of those ordinances, which they said are meant to keep residents safe and limit rescue missions.
“Enough warning, guys," Moran said. "The talk must stop” and enforcement must ramp up.
Allentown police can hand out tickets to anyone caught swimming in natural waterways in the city, Tuerk said, urging residents not to let a $100 fine “ruin your summer.”
Dangers of natural waterways
Allentown Fire Department has responded to more than 60 water-related incidents since the city’s swimming ban was passed in March 2018, city Fire Chief Efrain Agosto said.
“Most are successful rescues; others are not,” he said, noting a teen’s recent drowning death in Jordan Creek.
Every unsuccessful rescue attempt “stays with you for the rest of your life” and “usually takes a toll on your mental health” as a first responder, Agosto said.
Natural waterways in the region can have strong, hidden currents and be deceptively deep — especially during summer rains and flash floods — while underwater hazards and slippery banks can make it difficult for someone to get out of the water, the chief said.
“If you're swimming in the Jordan Creek, you're effectively swimming on Jordan Street, as well,” with motor oil and “the same stuff that leaked out of my trash can last night."Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk
Agosto and many other officials who spoke at the news conference said Allentown’s natural waterways are technically clean but full of runoff from city streets that likely contains pollutants and contaminants.
“If you're swimming in the Jordan Creek, you're effectively swimming on Jordan Street, as well,” with motor oil and “the same stuff that leaked out of my trash can last night,” Tuerk said.
He encouraged residents to take advantage of both cities' safe swimming options, such as Cedar Beach Pool. Tuerk called the news conference's backdrop "the best pool in the region."
Parks staff 'cannot keep up'
Both mayors also highlighted city ordinances that regulate recreation, noise and trash within public parks.
Tuerk said he often sees trash strewn across city parks because “people, for whatever reason, decide not to tote out” their garbage after enjoying the area.
“Why would somebody want to tarnish this beauty? Why? ¿Porque?”Reading Mayor Eddie Moran
Parks are free for residents to use, but the city pays staff to maintain them. Those costs climb when people “overuse” parks, Tuerk said.
Park employees are “doing a ton [but] they cannot keep up with the amount of trash that gets generated when everybody comes here on a weekend,” he said.
Moran also lamented the state of his city’s parks after a weekend of heavy use.
“Why would somebody want to tarnish this beauty? Why? Porque?” Moran said.
