Police Acting Aggressively to Stem Drunk and Disorderly Conduct

Patchogue, LI—Thursday, December 5: Legislator Rob Calarco met with the Commanding Officer of SCPD 5th Precinct, Director of Patchogue Village Public Safety James Berberich and Patchogue Village Attorney Brian T. Egan to discuss how law enforcement will continue to address problems that have arisen with the increase of bars, restaurants, and music venues throughout the downtown.

All law enforcement noted that the problems begin at 11 pm as people begin leaving the bars and flares back up again at 4 am after last-call and when there is a dearth of taxi cabs available to get them off the streets and ferry them home safely.

The SCPD 5th Precinct has increased police presence in the Village with its newly created Whiskey Unit, periodic DWI checkpoints, no-tolerance policy for quality-of-life offenses, and deterrent measures. The Whiskey Unit is a special team of three officers who are working Thursday through Saturday, 4 pm to 4 am shifts to address late-night issues directly. Meanwhile police officers have been dealing aggressively with disorderly conduct such as public drinking and urination and fighting. Those who have been cited with the former are receiving automatic summonses, while those caught fighting or being involved in any other disorderly conduct are arrested and will spend a night in jail.

To deter late-night revelers from engaging in such behaviors, the 5th Precinct has heightened its visibility by parking the prisoner van, chains visible, in the middle of the village and patrol cars parked along Main Street. And to increase effective enforcement and deterrence, Patchogue Village Public Safety Officers will partner with the 5th Precinct Officers on patrol.

As an education component, the Village is bringing in Clare Rose to sponsor an upcoming training program, TIPS, at the Patchogue Theatre. The TIPS program exists to train servers and sellers how to recognize and intervene when they see alcohol-related problems as well as state and local regulations regarding serving people who are intoxicated. “My hope is through education and close management, the new bars will curtail the negative effects some of their patrons are having on Main Street” said Mayor Paul V. Pontieri.

“I think it’s important to note that no single establishment is responsible for these late-night problems. Most of the people enjoying the night life in Patchogue are doing the right thing. But we still have to deal with the five percent who are causing trouble. I commend our police and the Village for working together proactively to make sure that all the fun transpires safely and within the law,” said Leg. Calarco. Mayor Pontieri joined Legislator Calarco’s sentiment, adding, “With progress comes growing pains. The Village carefully considers each new business application in Patchogue and measures the consequences to our neighborhood sand business community. The Village always works hard to minimize an establishment’s impacts on its neighbors and will continue to closely monitor and contain the late night activities on Main Street.”