The tragic shooting of 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and the serious injury of 14-year-old Jeremy Herred at Douglass Park in late June has raised significant concerns regarding lifeguard training and security in Chicago’s parks.
The accused, lifeguard Charles Leto, faces murder charges and claims he acted in self-defense following an altercation.
However, prosecutors cite surveillance footage and witness statements that contradict his claims.
A Cook County judge has ordered Leto held without bail, deeming him a threat to public safety and criticizing his reaction during the incident.
Alderman Monique Scott (24th) and her brother, former Alderman Michael Scott, have voiced deep concerns as former supervisors at Douglass Park.
Both emphasize the lack of adequate lifeguard staffing, insufficient training, and security measures as contributing factors to the violence.
They highlight an alarming trend in which predominantly white and Latino lifeguards are assigned to pools in predominantly African-American neighborhoods, leading to misunderstandings and increased tensions.
In a recent call from a South Side park supervisor, Monique Scott relayed an incident where a Latino lifeguard walked off the job, expressing discomfort working with local youth.
She argues for a more diverse lifeguard staff that resembles the communities they serve, echoing a sentiment that calls for improved training specific to community engagement.
Scott criticized the park district for training lifeguards only two days before the start of summer camp, allowing teens aged 16 and 17 to oversee much younger children.
This, she believes, creates an untenable environment for both the staff and families using the facilities.
During a community meeting shortly after the shooting, Monique Scott appealed to Mayor Brandon Johnson for increased security in the park district.
She expressed frustration at his response, implying that budget discussions should not impede immediate action to protect lives.
“The same kids that pass through metal detectors on their way into public schools are the same kids monitored by park district staff with no metal detectors or security,” she stated.
She insisted that the focus should be on saving lives in the moment rather than delaying action based on financial plans.
Michael Scott underscored the ongoing issues, pointing out that tensions between lifeguards and local patrons have been escalating over the years.
He warned that if the Douglass Park shooting is viewed as an isolated case, similar incidents are bound to occur again in the future.
He emphasized the necessity of strong leadership among lifeguards and the importance of staff reflecting the community they serve to bridge gaps and de-escalate conflicts.
Historically, seasoned lifeguards tend to favor assignments in more affluent neighborhoods, leaving inexperienced staff to manage pools in areas facing greater challenges.
Michael Scott noted that this often results in pools shutting down due to unsafe conditions and contributes to a negative atmosphere.
Under his management, to mitigate tensions, he organized separate swim times for boys, girls, toddlers, and adults.
Newly appointed Chicago Park District CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa voiced respect for the Scotts and a commitment to their recommendations.
He emphasized the need to diversify the lifeguard staff as a critical goal moving forward, noting his commitment to expand outreach programs aimed at local youth.
Ramirez-Rosa expressed a clear desire to prevent future tragedies and focused on ensuring that lifeguards are equipped to save lives rather than inadvertently putting them at risk.
Charles Leto, who worked as a lifeguard for just over two years, was reportedly paid $16.19 an hour at the beginning of his tenure, rising to $25 an hour by the time of the shooting.
Although park district officials stated they had not identified complaints against him prior to this incident, multiple patrons and colleagues have reported altercations involving Leto in the past.
Leto had transferred pools multiple times before returning to Douglass Park for the summer, where he had worked in previous seasons.
In response to the shooting, the park district allocated off-duty and retired police officers to provide security across various parks, including a permanent security post at Douglass Park.
In other neighborhoods, recent reports of aggressive security tactics have prompted calls for reform.
An incident in Kosciuszko Park involved a park district security guard pointing a firearm at a woman walking her dog, leading community activists to demand clearer policies on security guard conduct.
Witness accounts raised concerns about the appropriateness of the response, noting the guard had drawn his weapon over a relatively minor infraction.
In a letter to park officials, the advisory council for Kosciuszko Park emphasized the need for regulations to ensure security officers wield firearms responsibly and called for the use of body cameras to document interactions.
As discussions continue on how to improve safety and security in Chicago parks, the events at Douglass Park serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges and urgent need for change.
This incident not only highlights the consequences of poor staffing and training but also underscores the critical importance of community relations in ensuring the safety and well-being of all park users.
image source from：chicago
