Amidst another sweltering heat wave, New Yorkers trying to cool off at the beach are now facing an unusual threat: sharks swimming dangerously close to shore. On Monday afternoon, Lido Beach on Long Island was abruptly closed after a 7-foot-long shark was spotted just 25 feet from the shoreline. Town of Hempstead lifeguards confirmed the sighting and swiftly evacuated swimmers, restricting access to the water to ensure public safety. The quick response by lifeguards helped prevent any potential danger. Although swimming has since resumed, the Town of Hempstead Shark Patrol continues to monitor the shark’s location to safeguard beachgoers.

Enhanced Patrols and Safety Measures

Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin announced that there have been multiple recent shark sightings at other popular Long Island beaches, including Hewlett Point Beach and Atlantic Beach. In response, experts and patrols are on high alert, employing advanced technologies to keep the beaches safe. “With recent shark sightings, our Shark Patrol is on high alert. We’re using drones and new watercraft to keep our beaches safe,” Clavin stated on Facebook. These measures are part of a broader effort to protect swimmers and provide real-time updates on shark movements.

Recent Shark Sightings Across New York Beaches

The shark sightings are not isolated to Long Island. Parts of Rockaway Beach in New York City were also closed on Thursday due to shark activity. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry shared drone footage showing a shark near the beach, leading to the closure of the area from 64th Street to 104th Street.

“Be Advised! Our drones have sighted Jaws at Rockaway Beach-84th Street. The beach will be closed from 64th Street to 104th Street. Our drones will continue to monitor the waters for any other shark sightings or swimmers in distress,” Daughtry wrote. On Sunday, another shark was spotted at Rockaway Beach near Beach 127 by NYPD drones, further emphasizing the need for continued vigilance. In total, there were at least three reported shark sightings on Thursday alone.