Jones Beach Prepares for Holiday Weekend Crowds and Shark Safety

Holiday Weekend Preparations

• 🎯 Jones Beach is gearing up for an estimated 400,000 visitors during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
• 🚧 Security measures include dump trucks to block the center mall, surveillance cameras, and cement blocks to prevent vehicles with malicious intent from accessing public areas.
• 🛡️ Counterterrorism efforts are in place, with bomb-sweeping dogs and specially trained counterterrorism members blending in with beachgoers.

Shark Safety and Water Threats

• 🦈 Drones will be used to monitor swimmers in real-time for potential shark threats.
• ⚠️ While shark encounters are rare, beaches will be shut down if a shark is spotted.
• ⚡ Rip currents are highlighted as a more significant threat than sharks, being the number one cause of drownings globally.
• 🌊 Advice for rip currents: "flip and float" to stay calm and turn onto your back.

Visitor Guidelines for Fireworks

• ⏰ Visitors planning to view the fireworks should arrive early due to expected crowds.
• 🎆 Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 10:00 p.m.
• 🚫 Attendees are prohibited from bringing personal drones, weapons, or sharp knives.
• 🔍 Private security will be conducting bag checks at Jones Beach.