The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) filed a report of a stolen lifeguard tower with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) on May 23, 2012. When SWFD lifeguards reported to their post for duty at Ed Walline Beach Access they discovered the lifeguard tower was missing.
The WCSO was immediately notified and is currently investigating this as a felony crime. The lifeguard tower, which is approximately 6 ft wide at the base, 8 foot in height and is constructed of aluminum, was apparently stolen sometime between the lifeguards going off duty at 6:00 p.m. last night and 9:00 a.m. this morning.
“This theft affects the thousands of residents, guests and visitors that come to this beach location. People expect to see SWFD lifeguards staffing those towers and it provides a sense of security to everyone knowing they are there protecting the beach, “said Gary Wise SWFD Beach Safety Director.
SWFD lifeguards will still be on duty at all of our lifeguard stations. However the lifeguards assigned to the Ed Walline area will not have the advantage of casting their protective eye across the beach from the height of a tower. Instead they will have to cover their response area from ground level until a replacement can be constructed.
Anyone with information regarding this stolen tower is urged to notify the WCSO at (850) 267-2000 or (850) 892-8111.
For additional information please contact Sammy Sanchez, Fire Marshal or Gary Wise, Beach Safety Director at (850) 267-1298