PEWAUKEE, Wis. — A week after a drowning at Pewaukee Lake, TMJ4 rode along with the people who help keep visitors safe in the water - the Pewaukee Lake Patrol.
The patrol stays busy during summer months when the lake gets crowded with boaters, swimmers and families enjoying Wisconsin's waterways. Their vigilance comes at a critical time following recent water safety incidents in the area.
Watch: Pewaukee Lake Patrol works to keep boaters and swimmers safe following recent drowning
"First thing you look for in a boat is whether the people are operating it properly," said Officer Bill Spankowski of the Pewaukee Lake Patrol.
During our time on the water, patrol officers conducted safety checks and monitored lake activities. They explained that unsafe behavior like hanging over the boat will usually earn you a ticket right away.
"It is that rogue wave that could come in, knock you off and push you underneath the water and underneath the boat, so that is an automatic violation," said Sgt. Melissa Schmackle.
The patrol's work takes on added significance after last weekend's tragedy when a 17-year-old drowned after attempting to swim from the fishing pier to a buoy. This week, there was also a call for a swimmer who did not resurface at City Beach in Oconomowoc. That turned out to be a false alarm.
These incidents highlight why the patrol keeps swimmer safety as their top priority. They understand community concerns about water safety and work closely with other emergency responders.
"The sooner we can get the dive members in the water, the faster we can get that recovery and hopefully the survival rate there the faster we can get them out of the water. So it is all hands on deck. We call everybody," Schmackle said.
Most of their time is spent rescuing people stranded on boats and jet skis when mechanical issues arise. During the Fourth of July weekend alone, they helped three people with such problems.
For families like Lawrence Brown's who enjoy fishing on the lake, the patrol's presence provides peace of mind.
"She loves to fish," Brown said his wife as they were checked by patrol officers. After passing their safety inspection, Brown expressed his appreciation for the patrol's work.
"You don't get enough credit for all the great stuff you do," Brown told the officers. "It is always great out here."
If you have questions about what is allowed on Pewaukee Lake this link takes you to a list of its ordinances. In Wisconsin, each lake is allowed to have its own specific regulations.
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