There's a meeting Friday morning about how an increasingly popular summer hotspot can be made safer. A 41-year-old man from St. Louis drowned after cliff jumping into the river over the 4th of July holiday.
In the meantime, Jefferson County has closed Rockford Beach Park and the river access in House Springs for the entire weekend.
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"Just about every year, we have at least one drowning, despite all the signs that warn people not to swim or wade in the Big River there, says Jefferson County Sheriffs' Department spokesman Grant Bissell, "but this year there has been a little bit more troublesome activity."
Bissell says since Memorial Day weekend deputies have responded to the park for a variety of issues including fights, stealing, unlawful use of weapons, assaults, and underage drinking.
He tells KMOX the meeting with stakeholders will work toward a long-term path forward.
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