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Swim After Hours At Your Own Risk At The Jersey Shore

ASBURY PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Swimming after hours on unguarded beaches may be free, but it might cost you your life, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported.

WCBS 880's Peter Haskell On The Story

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It's not quite an epidemic, but it's certainly raising red flags.

There have been five drownings at the Jersey Shore this summer and all have come after hours. -- when there were no lifeguards on duty.

Asbury Park Beach Safety Supervisor Joe Bongiovanni is calling for stiffer penalties for swimming on unguarded beaches, although even he admits it would be largely symbolic.

"We have all these laws about cell phones when you're driving and texting while you're driving and I know it stops some people from doing it, but I don't think a vast majority really bother with that," he told Haskell.

When Bongiovanni asked people why they insist on swimming after hours, some simply said because it's free.

How do you think the after hours swimming situation should be dealt with? Sound off in the comments section below.

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