Allegheny County pools implementing chaperone policy to increase safety, create enjoyable experience

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — The four Allegheny County pools will be implementing a chaperone policy starting Tuesday.

The policy aims to increase safety and create a more enjoyable experience for all, county officials said.

Those 16 and under will need to be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old and can show a valid ID in order to get into the four county pools - Boyce, North, Settlers Cabin and South Park.

A parent can bring all of their children, but a chaperone may escort no more than four youths during each visit.  Chaperones are responsible for the action of their escorted youths, county officials said. If an escorted youth is banned from the pool, the adult escort and group will be banned for the same period.

Each adult chaperone must be present at the time of entry and remain within the park for the duration of their party’s visit.

A spokesperson for Allegheny County says the county has considered implementing a policy for some time, and after safety issues this summer, leaders decided now was the right time.

Melissa Deah and Laura Wagner were at the North Park pool on Tuesday, the day the new policies went into effect. They said they haven’t seen any significant safety issues in their experience.

“Sixteen is a little too old,” Deah said. “I would say 12 and under.”

“I still think 16 is too old,” Wagner added. “If they can drive themselves, they can drive themselves here. If you want to go to an extreme, I would say 15 and under, but 15 is kind of pushing it.”

Wagner did add that it’s a different world we’re living in and you can never be too careful these days.

Allegheny County Police said on Saturday, they were requested by pool staff to remove multiple juveniles from the Boyce Park Poll for causing a disturbance.  One juvenile was arrested for theft and released.  Police say nobody was hurt.

The county said they reviewed policies for City pools, the Brentwood Borough Pool and Kennywood before implementing a policy.

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