Police: Summerfest Smooth in Terms of Patrol

With thousands of visitors descending on Sayville’s downtown business district during the three-day Summerfest event, local police stepped up patrols and viewed the chamber-sponsored celebration as a way to foster stronger ties with the community.

“Our focus was public safety and overall it went very smooth,” Captain Christopher Bergold told Patch in a phone interview this week. 

“The goal was public safety but it also offers us an opportunity to interact with residents and foster a relationship,” he added.

The Fifth Precinct beefed up community patrol with an additional "handful of officers," many who took to the bike for patrol work. The bike, said Bergold, makes getting around such events easier and also helps police interface with people at the event.

Prior to the annual event the precinct did assess potential issues and hot spots, identifying where criminal activity may be likely to occur and being cognizant of potential congregation areas for teens.

This year marked the first time for public sale of alcohol through a beer and wine tasting tent that was open through the weekend event.

“It all went smoothly,” said Bergold, noting the police patrol succeeded in providing a visible police presence but one that didn’t encroach on attendees’ enjoyment or comfort factor.