Concerns over swim safety in New York City are escalating following a surge in drownings, with officials calling for measures to prevent further tragedies.

So far this year, six drownings have been reported at city beaches, including four teenagers, marking the highest number since 2019.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards addressed the issue earlier this month at a press conference in Far Rockaway, emphasizing the need for enhanced swim safety protocols. Last week, Queens Councilman Shekar Krishnan, D-Jackson Heights, also the City Council Parks chair, joined Richards in pressing for immediate action.

"We are in a swimming water safety crisis in the city. We have just had six drownings, which is about as much as we've had since 2019. We need comprehensive solutions," Krishnan said during an interview on "Mornings On 1" Thursday.

The question remains, though, as to how to expand access to safe areas for swim, something Richards said they have been negotiating for months.

"We're building a new community center in Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans, which will have a pool. We are currently involved in negotiations with the Parks Department to build another pool in the Rockaways,” he said.

This summer, Krishnan helped to initiate a new program, Wave Makers, aimed at teaching swimming skills to children.

Initially tailored for second- and third-graders, the pilot program operates at private pools across the city, with future plans to expand the initiative to all age groups, including adults.

"In Jackson Heights, we don't have a single public pool and so what we did with Wave Makers was opened up a private school pool in the neighborhood to the public,” Krishnan said. “These are the kinds of creative and bold solutions we need if we are going to solve this crisis and we must solve it.”