Two residents told the Wayne County Commission about personal losses from accidental drownings and asked the county to help expand free swim lessons and water-safety programming.

Tanya Arthur, founder and president of Joshua's Dreams nonprofit, said she lost her grandson in an accidental drowning and urged commissioners to act. Arthur told the commission, “drowning is a national epidemic. 1 in 4 children are lost every year. These stats even come from the CDC.” Danielle Smith, CEO and founder of the Andre v Selden Junior Foundation, said her son drowned last year and described her organization's effort to provide free swim lessons and mentorship.

The nut graf: Both speakers asked for county-level support to make swim lessons and water-safety training more available in inner-city neighborhoods, through partnerships with schools, recreation centers, the YMCA and local swim programs.

Commissioners responded by asking staff to draft a resolution supporting water-safety awareness and encouraging facilities with pools to make swim lessons available. Commissioner Kinloch said he would “encourage, or get the information to have a resolution, in support of of of making, citizens aware in Wayne County of the importance of of water safety.” Commissioner Anderson proposed adding language urging any facility in the county that has a pool to provide lessons. Commissioner Baker McCormick said he supported a resolution and noted the organizations’ work.

Ending: There was no formal vote to adopt a resolution at the meeting. Commissioners directed staff to prepare a resolution and requested that relevant departments report back with any status updates or appeals related to the issue.