The Loop has more on the story of Thomas Heslin, an area resident who nearly drown when he ran out onto the ice at the Larchmont to chase after his dog.

Some New Rochelle residents have been critical of the Parks Department for showing an abundance of caution in closing local lakes to skating on January 28th, two weeks after the lake surfaces were determined to be safe for skating. Parks Commissioner Bill Zimmermann tells Talk of the Sound that Heslin's fall through the ice should be a lesson to area residents who might venture onto frozen lake surfaces.

"Surface thickness can be deceiving and very unsafe", said Zimmermann, "Our standard requirement for safe ice thickness is 4 inches from center
to edges"

The New Rochelle Parks and Recreation Department opened and maintained the city-owned lakes and ponds this winter with daily checks for ice
thickness and plowing when conditions warranted, from January 16-28,
2009.