ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla (SNN) — A popular stretch of Anna Maria Island is now officially off limits to swimmers after two recent deaths and a number of other close calls. City leaders say the move is about saving lives.

What may appear to be calm water off Bean Point has long been known to locals for its hidden rip currents.

Over Labor Day weekend, a 20-year-old man went swimming with friends and was swept away by the strong currents. Deputies say he did not make it back to shore.

“It is a dangerous place to swim — it always has been,” said Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short. “The people who live here know that, but the people who are visiting here don’t know that.”

According to Short, there were six incidents at Bean Point in August alone. Two people drowned and four others nearly drowned — a

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