Chairman Galvin of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors recently invited media to Scorpion Bay within Lake Pleasant Regional Park for a press conference dedicated to staying safe on Arizona's beautiful lakes and trails for the summer holidays. Members of the media heard helpful tips on boating, swimming, and hiking safety and learned more about the dangers of heat exposure from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Afterwards, MCSO's Lake Patrol facilitated boat rides while sharing insight on their approach to search-and-rescue operations (WATCH VIDEO).
Nearly 1.2 million people have visited Lake Pleasant Regional Park since July 2024 to enjoy the park's boating and swimming areas, campsites, and hiking trails. MCSO, County park rangers, and Arizona Game & Fish partner to provide law enforcement and first responder services that help visitors stay safe. Despite these efforts, accidents happen, resulting in MCSO search and rescue missions and tragic drownings.
“Since the start of the year, our Lake Patrol Division has conducted 209 boat stops for various violations… including boating under the influence, reckless operations, wake zone violations, and dangerous behaviors like not wearing life jackets, riding on the bow, unregistered boats, and water skiing without an observer. These aren't just technicalities – each one is a potential life-or-death situation,” shared Undersheriff Jeff Gentry, Maricopa County Sherriff’s Office.
But there is good news as well. Undersheriff Gentry continued, “Our DARES Posse has made a big difference. On holiday weekends, they've set up first aid and cooling tents, and helped people before it became an emergency. Just over Labor Day last year, they treated more than 64 people, keeping them out of the back of an ambulance.”
Visitors are encouraged to take recommended safety precautions to ensure everyone can recreate responsibly and safely. Some of the most important tips Undersheriff Gentry shared include:
On the water
- Kids under 12 need life jackets
- Everyone else: have a lifejacket nearby, not stowed under a seat
- Use your engine kill switch if your boat is under 26 feet
- And always— always—have a sober boat/jet ski operator
On the trails
- Start early, finish early
- Bring more water than you think you'll need, and drink it
- If your water is half gone, head back
- Don't hike alone, and know your limits.
- Heatstroke is not something you just
"push through."
Undersheriff Gentry concluded, “We're not out here looking to write tickets. We're out here to protect lives – yours, your family's, and your neighbors. Maricopa County is a treasure. Let's enjoy it responsibly and take care of each other out there.”
To help boaters and their families stay safe, the Arizona Game and Fish Department offers life jacket swaps every year. For future swap dates, check their website. For more information on the press conference, visit: https://www.maricopa.gov/
Scorpion Bay is Arizona’s premier floating playground, offering everything from daily pontoon and ski boat rentals to slips for harboring your yacht (or dinghy). Come for the fishing or come for the frolicking—either way, incredible mountain views, fantastic dining and world-class marina services await less than an hour out of Phoenix. https://www.scorpionbayaz.com/