BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As Buffalo continues to experience hot summer weather, community members have spoken out after learning one of the city's public pools will remain closed for the rest of the season. The closure came after an incident where lifeguards and security staff were reportedly attacked.
I wanted to understand how this closure impacts different members of our community, so I spoke with local officials, community advocates and residents who shared their perspectives on this developing situation.
The JFK pool, which had only reopened last summer after being closed for many years, will not reopen this season following an incident in late July that left young lifeguards feeling unsafe.
"While in the course of a regular swim day, the lifeguard advised those who were swimming in the pool that they needed to get out of the pool so they could do maintenance check on the water and also do some cleaning just for the safety of the swimmers," said Leah Halton-Pope, City of Buffalo Majority Leader and Ellicott District Councilwoman.
According to city officials, after lifeguards asked swimmers to temporarily exit the pool for routine maintenance, an adult reportedly contacted family members who then came to the facility.
"20 to 30 young people showed up and attacked these youth lifeguards and the security guards," Halton-Pope said.
The situation became so dangerous that security guards and lifeguards reportedly barricaded themselves inside the JFK Center for protection.
Initially, Halton-Pope was told the pool would close temporarily, but after seven weeks of closure, the city announced Monday that the pool would remain closed for the rest of the season, well before its scheduled Labor Day weekend closing date.
"To find out that an adult incited this kind of violence against a youth worker is unfair. It's my understanding that these young people have decided they don't they don't feel safe. They don't want to work here," Halton-Pope said.
Mayor Scanlon addressed the situation in a statement, saying:
“My first responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, visitors, and city employees. Unfortunately, ongoing incidents of fights, disorderly conduct, and vandalism have made staffing this pool increasingly difficult, and in many cases, impossible.
In late July, for example, two groups were engaged in an argument, and after one group left, they returned with many more people, leading to a larger altercation. This is in addition to repeated incidents of breaking in after hours, damaging property, trespassing, and confrontations where our lifeguards have had to risk their own safety.
These incidents have taken a toll on our seasonal lifeguards, who are essential to keeping our pools open and safe. Despite working with the Department of Public Works to provide extra security through our contractor, as well as Buffalo Police, our lifeguards have made it clear they no longer feel safe reporting to work at this facility. Without adequate staffing, we cannot safely operate the pool.”
The closure is particularly disappointing for Halton-Pope, who worked to reopen the pool last summer during her first year in office.
"Allowing young people to have access to water or cooling location. This was critical for me so I'm very disappointed and I can only imagine how they feel," she said.
Community advocates are calling for solutions to reopen the facility.
"We do have to have a place where they can enjoy their self for the remaining of the summer," said Pastor Tim Newkirk of GYC Ministries and Community Action Coalition of WNY (CAC).
Newkirk believes community organizations could play a role in making the facility safe again.
"Right now, we need to see what can we do to get the pool back open and utilize these community organizations to supervise the pool and supervise this community," Newkirk said.
Residents worry about the impact on neighborhood children who rely on the pool as one of few recreational options.
"Things like that, mentally, can affect the young generation here. Those feelings travel when school starts next month," said Reggie Cheatham, a community member.
A city spokesperson confirmed that a police report was filed after the incident. I've submitted a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to the Buffalo Police Department and am waiting for a response.
While the JFK pool remains closed, there are still five other pools available for residents to use. The city has also extended splash pad hours for tomorrow due to the forecasted heat.
The following pools and splash pads will remain open through Labor Day:
City Pools:
- Centennial Pool
- Kensington Pool
- Riverside Pool
- Houghton Pool
- Connors, Kait, Harrity Memorial Pool
City Splash Pads:
- Ralph Wilson Park
- Allison Park
- MLK Jr. Park Basin
- Lanigan Park
- Lincoln Park
- Cazenovia Park
- Houghton Park
- Schiller Park
- Roosevelt Park
