Safety officials increase patrols

Police and lifeguards are stepping up patrols as temperatures climb and students enjoy spring break. On Monday, the need to step up enforcement grew with the St. Patrick’s Day festivities attracting more people to the beaches and bars.

Newport Beach lifeguards are increasing patrols because of high surf and strong winds, factors that played a role in a teenager’s drowning over the weekend and two dramatic rescues last week, officials said.

“We judge on a day-to-day basis,” said Battalion Chief Rob Williams. “It all depends on the weather and surf. The weather attracts the crowds.”

A 17-year-old Claremont boy drowned after the current swept him up near the 28th street jetty Saturday.

Lifeguards saved two children who nearly slammed into the jagged rocks there last week and a police helicopter aided a rescue near Balboa Pier Thursday.

Cold weather reduces stamina and winter storms have made the sea floor unpredictable, lifeguards said. With staffing limited until the busier seasons, authorities urge everyone to practice as much caution as possible when entering the water.

Lifeguards are not manning the towers yet, instead relying on the four or five who patrol the beach in trucks. Lifeguards will start setting up at towers around April 1 for spring break, Williams said.

“Beginning this weekend we seem to add one to three lifeguards a week,” Williams said. Newport Beach lifeguards will be half way to full staffing by Memorial Day weekend, he said.

UCI students are out of school next week and OCC students the week after.

The beaches may get up to 30,000 visitors on a day with good weather, Williams said.

“Check the conditions, and if you’re not sure don’t go in the water,” Williams said.

Drivers may have found themselves in hot water Monday, with more police than usual looking for drunk drivers celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Newport Beach and Costa Mesa police participated in a statewide “saturation patrol” program funded by the Office of Traffic Safety.

“It’s our standard to patrol in the areas highly populated by bars,” Newport Beach police Sgt. Tom Fischbacher said. “St. Patrick’s Day is typically a day that involves alcohol consumption. We’re trying to make sure we don’t have any alcohol-related injuries.”

Newport Beach police had 15 squad cars patrolling Monday with three solely dedicated to pulling over drunk drivers, Fischbacher said.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.