Yes, It Was A Car

Today’s Kenosha News confirmed that the activity at the pier yesterday was indeed about pulling a car from the water. No one was found inside. I don’t know the specifics of this situation, and if you want to read more, you can check it out at newspaper’s website.

Cameras on the roof of the water treatment plant report that the car went into the water about 3 AM. No one was exactly going out for a leisurely ride at that time of day.

Young people frequent the parking lot by the pier at all times of night and all times of year. The road leading to it has become a drag strip and the screech of tires is a common sound on summer nights and surprisingly in the winter, too. Those of us who live on the other side of the harbor hear it, frequently call the police to report it, and fear that someday it will be more than the sound of tires we hear. It is a dangerous situation.

Although I had intended to write today about why human beings need water from a technical point of view, I am still thinking about this incident. Three specifics aspects of it are in the forefront of my thoughts.

First, I am reminded of something my mother used to say. She would tell us that when you wake up in the morning you never know what will happen by the end of the day. Sometimes it was something good; sometimes something bad, and sometimes nothing happened, but you never know. That’s kind of the way things are around here. Yesterday started out blah and I had nothing specific to write about, but by the end of the day that had changed. That’s what keeps life interesting.

My second thought is about rescue workers. At the lakefront, the emergency responders include EMT’s, firefighters, and the Coast Guard. Dedicated service people of all kinds keep people safe, from themselves as much as from other kinds of danger.

Third, this event is another example of the powerful draw bodies of water have on human bodies. Water has the ability to cleanse, soothe, cool, and warm us. The sounds of waves can be the lullaby we need for rest. Water can provide peace and tranquility. It can inspire and transform us. It can also be destructive, both by its own nature and by its abuse.

I will not be surprised if we learn that yesterday’s event involved some kind of substance abuse, like drugs, alcohol, or the like. But it also involves the abuse of the lake. To use the water and beach as a dumping ground or for a prank is outrageous. That so many people, including divers who had to go into those icy waters and all the emergency personnel who were on hand to help, spent almost a full day trying to recover the vehicle is outrageous, too.