Racine County leaders calling on city leaders to help after North Beach drownings, rescues

RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Racine County sheriff is calling on the city to take action after several drownings and near drownings.

Two young people are dead. A teen is fighting for her life.

Extended hours at North Beach. More lifeguards. More signage.

Three things Racine County Sheriff Chris Schmaling is calling for after a deadly Father's Day at North Beach.

"Anytime we have children that die in our community it really rocks the emotions of all of us, especially when they're senseless deaths that could have been prevented," said Schmaling, 

Two young people drowned this weekend: 10-year-old Eisha Figuereo Colon of Racine County and 17-year-old Yaadwinder Singh of Milwaukee County.

A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition at the hospital after being rescued with a friend on Monday.

Officials say parts of North Beach are more dangerous than others.

"In Racine, here off of North Beach, we have the concrete causeway that forms part of our harbor. This forms a natural area for those rip currents to exist and it's not a place that the public should be swimming," said Racine County Dive Team Capt. Bradley Friend.

In addition to lifeguards, county leaders also want city officials to help put others safeguards on the beach, and also help spread awareness.

"We spend a lot of money on tourism in this county, getting people to enjoy the lake and the beachfront and all the rest. I think we need to start looking at the dollars we spend right there at the beach as well," said Schmaling.

The Racine County Dive Team will be at North Beach on Saturday, June 26, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. letting people know about water safety, rip tides and conditions on the beach.