Jeremy and Felicia Murphy along with their son Jason were enjoying a typical mid-morning Sunday, December 11, near the B Street pier.
Jeremy glanced over at the Crescent City Jetty and couldn’t believe his eyes. A couple was walking atop the Jetty, despite several warnings of dangerous conditions not to do so.
The unidentified man and woman apparently ignored signage advising of the peril walking on the Jetty and over the last two decades.
With at least 15 rescues and three deaths associated with individuals being swept of the pier and suffering blunt force trauma on the rocks bordering the jetty, the problem of public access continues to endure. The couple narrowly escaped the fury of three large waves, pummeling them to the Jetty deck.
After the incident, Crescent City Police Chief Richard Griffin issued yet another stern warning to stay off the Jetty but with no authority to prevent or cite individuals who choose to ignore the plea, local law enforcement is handcuffed. The jetty is owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, a federal agency.
During Monday’s City Council meeting, City Manager Eric Wier announced the council would be in contact with the Corps to discuss meaningful intervention protocols which would discourage and prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the jetty.
Councilor Blake Inscore pledged to find a solution to this chronic problem of the public accessing the Crescent City Jetty.
Current signage does not prevent accessing the Jetty. Signage currently reads, “DANGER! Enter at your own risk.” Following directions from the council, Wier will schedule the discussion/action item in outreach to the Army Corps of Engineers.