Connecticut Dealing With Cutback In Lifeguards Due To Budget Crisis

NEW FAIRFIELD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- A budget crisis has caused a cutback in lifeguards at many popular swimming spots in Connecticut.

CBS2's Lou Young reported it's part of the fallout from the $1 billion budget shortfall that's affecting five state beaches as critics said it's shortsighted and dangerous.

They're especially worried at Candlewood Lake in New Fairfield near the New York state line.

"They say swim at your own risk. This park has a history of drownings," New Fairfield First Selectman Susan Chapman said about Squantz Pond State Park.

Former 1st Selectman John Hodge said there were 13 drownings from 1996 to 2007. No one has drowned at Squantz Pond Park since 2012 after the state ramped up safety protection.

"We had a good program in place, adequate protection and now that we're cutting back we know it's probably a matter of not if but when we have a drowning out here," Hodge said.

The state said its doing what it can and every park is in the same boat.

"I wish I had more guards, but the budget is what it is and this is what we've got to do," Sherwood Island Park manager James Beschle said.

Beschle added that they have cut back the number of days that they are guarding the beach.

"We've reduced the number of days we guard the beach, so we're no longer lifeguarding on Mondays and Tuesdays, and we're guarding a smaller area of the beach," he said.

New Fairfield resident Bob Rosenberg said lifeguards should be a priority. He nearly drowned last summer at Squantz Pond after passing out in the water and was brought back from the brink.

"Next thing I knew I was back on the beach and spent five days in the hospital," Rosenberg said.

The policy of no lifeguards on Monday and Tuesday will start next week.