Drown Zero stations, which were installed along Cocoa Beach to help prevent drownings, have been taken down. The removal was confirmed by local officials but no specific reason was given. The stations, which included automated external defibrillators and emergency call buttons, had been in place for several years. Residents and visitors who frequented the beach expressed surprise at the decision. 'I thought they were here to stay,' said one local swimmer. The Cocoa Beach city manager did not immediately comment on the removal. The stations were part of a statewide initiative to improve beach safety. Without them, lifeguards and emergency responders may have fewer tools to act quickly in a crisis. The decision comes as Brevard County continues to see an average of 20 drowning incidents per year. Some community members are calling for transparency about why the stations were removed. 'We need to know if this is a temporary measure or a permanent change,' said a parent who regularly visits the beach with children. The Drown Zero program, which was launched in 2018, had been praised for its role in reducing response times during emergencies. Local authorities have not provided a timeline for when the stations might be reinstated or replaced. The removal has sparked a broader conversation about public safety infrastructure along the Space Coast's beaches.