On Memorial Day weekend, Long Island residents got their first shark sighting – a mako shark - after it washed ashore just north of the Loop Parking Bridge. Now, New York State Parks wants to assure residents they will be safe at the beaches.  

Regional director George Gorman tells News 12 Long Island their staff and lifeguards are trained to spot sharks using drones.  

Additional drones were purchased to ensure all beaches from Jones to Montauk on the south and north shore are covered. 

“The lifeguards are constantly scanning the water,” Gorman says . “When we see a possible threat, we will make sure we keep everyone as safe as we possibly can.” 

Officials at the Dept. of Environmental Conservation say the mako shark that washed up on Monday was found dead later and removed. According to shark experts, it rare to see a mako shark so close to the shore. 

The sighting left some a little weary about entering the water, like Levittown resident Joseph Munge. 

“I was going to take a dip in the water for a second,” Munge says. “I might be a little scared now.” 

Others like Alexandra Zisa from Mamaroneck say they are not deterred.