Louisiana Parish Considers Safety Devices After Drowning

The recent drowning of a 19-year-old Morganza man has the Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury considering installing flotation devices at public boat launches throughout the Louisiana parish’s three recreational waterways.

But legal concerns could sink the proposal before it leaves the dock.

The Advocate reports parish leaders learned last week the Police Jury may not have the authority to install the flotation devices – at least not at boat launches owned by private businesses.

Juror Justin Cox, who presented the idea to the Police Jury at its July 22 meeting, is convinced providing life ring buoys to the public could help prevent another drowning.

Cox said the parish owns between six to 10 boat launches in the parish with the remaining belonging to several local businesses.