Resident tells council loud pool music drowned out calls for help; mayor to meet with pool manager

Resident Laura Jennings told the St. Bernard council she had repeatedly experienced excessively loud music at the municipal pool and that on one occasion she simulated an emergency—waving and calling for help—without drawing a response from two lifeguards stationed nearby.

"I kind of flailed my arms and said 'help' in not a loud voice ... neither one of the lifeguards looked my way," Jennings said during public comment, adding she then moved closer and continued to wave and call without being seen or heard. Jennings said a staff member who usually turned down the music was not present that day and that a pool manager declined to reduce the volume, saying lifeguards were assigned to specific zones.

Jennings said the volume made it impossible to communicate from the water and could be a danger, particularly to children. She noted county and state pool safety guidance do not specify decibel limits and urged the village to consider internal standards and training.

Mayor Stel acknowledged the concern and said he would meet with the pool manager and lifeguard staff to review zone coverage and sound levels. "I will talk to her, we'll have a meeting about this and I appreciate you bringing this up," he said, adding staff will address whether lifeguards can be heard and whether managers should adjust speaker placement or volume.

Next steps: The mayor said he will meet with pool leadership to assess guard zone coverage and whether volume or equipment changes are required; council did not take formal action during the meeting.