Two incidents on the Ouachita River that caused the drowning deaths of Ouachita County residents have spurned community members to call for legislation enacting potential life-saving measures.
During audience participation at Tuesday night's Camden City Council meeting, Lauren Glaze presented a letter to aldermen stating that due to the two recent drownings in the Ouachita River, safety implementations and laws should be enacted.
Glaze's letter suggested that a law be implemented in Ouachita County that all people who enter the Ouachita River wear a flotation device, also calling for signage at all entrances to the river dictating the law.
"This is to be called Cooper's Law," Glaze said, referencing the March 27 drowning death of 17 year-old Cooper Daugherty.
Glaze also suggested implementing a rapid emergency report system at the River Walk at the Camden Port to alert first responders if a boating or swimming accident occurs.
"The majority of swimming and boating activities happen at this location. It should be in direct communication with rescue authorities and emergency personnel and should be accessed only in an emergency and with deliberate actions as with a fire alarm," Glaze said, reading from the letter.
Glaze said a lot of work went into the proposals.
Glaze said, "We've done a lot of the leg work and research into this system. Sherri Steelman is definitely the brains behind this operation, as far as monetary funding, that's not an issue. We have multiple people willing to donate fundraiser and support. We can't let his happen again."
Mayor Julian Lott noted that the city of Camden can't regulate the Ouachita River, but said he would support Glaze in advocating for her proposals.
"I'd be willing to go with you to the people in charge of the river; we're only in charge of the beach. I'd be willing to go with you when you stand before the people with the purview," he said.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Arkansas has one of the highest rates of drowning deaths in the country, with approximately 1.78 drowning deaths per 100,000 people from 2015 to 2019.
Two local businesses also recently donated life-saving items for rescues in the Ouachita River, following Cooper's death.
B&M Painting donated four, 20-inch aquatic life preserver cabinets with throw lines. The life preservers will be placed at Sandy Beach and The River Walk.
Nick Tuberville, of Tuberville Insurance Agency, also donated 15 water rescue throw devices. Each Camden Police Department patrol car will now carry a water rescue device, consisting of a flotation device with a rope attached.
Read the letter at the link below