Rockaway Beach, Queens – In the wake of five drowning deaths at the areas surrounding Rockaway Beach, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway) joined residents in demanding immediate action from City Agencies. Maintain Joshua Odozi, Jr., Keylon Ramsay, Umarie Chamble, John Munoz, and Peala Jimenez lost their lives while swimming off of Rockaway’s waters.

“As a city, and state we must do better to inform swimmers of the risks associated with going into the bay and ocean. Among many things we urgently need: updated signage with higher visibility, flag notifications on the beach to inform swimmers of dangerous waters, and better utilization of modern technology to receive notifications from the city. Most importantly, we need comprehensive water safety education-not only across the Rockaway Peninsula but across New York State,” Pheffer Amato said. “Five people died this year in our waters. Something needs to change and that begins with education and notification. I pray for those who lost their lives and for their families.”

“The heart of Rockaway appreciated Stacy Pheffer Amato standing with is on swim safety awareness. The Rockaways can use better signage and possibly a push PA system to cell phones to make visitors aware of the dangers,” Edwin Williams, Vice President of THOR, said.

“I want to thank The Heart of Rockaway for organizing the press conference this afternoon and Rev. Cockfield for his meaningful words and prayers for all who passed,” concluded Pheffer Amato.