Dire Warnings Ignored
HRC Ignored Safety Warnings
HRC received multiple warnings and complaints about the inadequacies of its lifeguard and summer camp programs before John's drowning death, including:
1 Year Before:
Board Member expresses concern that lifeguard coverage at the pools is insufficient (08-31-06, Brd Min, Ex45e)
1.5 Months Before:
Board Member warns HRC should not "repeat the problem of not having enough Lifeguards" (05-30-07, Brd Min, Ex45g)
1 Month Before:
Board Member warns General Manager that situation at pools is an "accident waiting to happen" (06-11-07, Ex20)
2 Weeks Before:
Board Member indicates that HRC is "not licensed as a day care facility" (05-31-07, Brd Min, Ex 45)
2 Weeks Before:
Board Member expresses concern that HRC has allowed Summer Camp enrollment to get too high (06-28-07, Brd Min, Ex45h)
13 Days Before:
Club General Manager Griffin complains to Aquatics Director Palmer that the lifeguards are not doing their jobs (07-05-07, Ex21)
1 Day Before:
Camp counselor observes the 4 year-old counselors horse playing and not paying attention to the 4 year-old campers
10 Minutes Before:
Member witnesses chaotic horse play at overcrowded pool with counselors gathered on the fountain deck (07-18-07, Ex22); Aquatics Director Palmer also witnesses the situation, but goes to lunch.
4 Days After:
Board President and former board member discuss running an article on the swimming coach 2 months after John's death because things would be back to "normal."
1 Month After:
Board President believes HRC is a "safe place."
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