Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation to improve safety around retention ponds across the state of Wisconsin that would incorporate certain protective measures to prevent life-threatening accidents.
Co-sponsors of the bill include State Sens. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, and LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, as well as State Reps. Shelia Stubbs, D-Madison, Samba Baldeh, D-Madison and Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove.
Stubbs said that the tragic drowning deaths of 8-year-old Legend Sims and 6-year-old Antwon Amos, Jr, two brothers from Sun Prairie who fell into a retention pond about a month ago, opened her eyes to the unique danger this type of pond poses to children’s safety.
The brothers died after they fell through an icy pond, according to officials, after being dropped off from school. Community members came together to raise several thousands of dollars for a memorial and funeral service that celebrated and honored the lives of the boys.
“It is evident something needs to be done to keep our children safe from preventable injuries and deaths. Increasing the safety precautions around retention ponds will prevent further injuries and deaths of children in our communities,” Stubbs said in a press release. “As a parent, I can safely say that the cost of installing a fence is nowhere near the cost of a child’s life. Securing these retention ponds with fencing and adequate signage of the dangers presented will keep our kids safe without disrupting the purpose and function of these structures.”
Sen. Agard said that the lack of safety measures around retention ponds “have caused many deaths that could have been prevented.”
“It is past time that Wisconsin implements safety precautions for retention ponds to protect our children,” Agard said. “These terrible tragedies are preventable, and no family should encounter the loss of their loved ones due to unprotected retention ponds.”
