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Post by admin on Apr 2, 2008 12:44:56 GMT -5
The topic of what has occurred with Kruise Nite is certainly a heated one. For that reason I am starting this thread separate from the general discussion we have had so far.
We all know this site is watched. I am starting this thread with the purpose of community services in mind. This is a good topic to take a good advantage of the many eyes we have on here. For that reason, i am asking that all stay on topic and answer the following:
With our town, governing body, and the FCP all at a crossroad on this issue, what would you do to keep, change, enhance, and better Kruise Nite?
We know it is a successful event and, as with many events , it has evolved. What can we do with that energy and success of Kruise Nite to continue bringing visitors to our town?
I will cut and paste some of the great ideas we have seen o other threads to date.
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Post by admin on Apr 2, 2008 13:07:30 GMT -5
Lisa84 Wrote:
Me, personally, I would attempt to omit the motorcycle enthusiast crowd, even though I love classic Indians…but I feel the downtown area really is too tiny to hold both autos and motorcycles and their fans. I would go back to the roots of simply the autos. This is great for kids too, to be able to see how autos have evolved through the decades, what their parents and grandparents (!) used to drive.
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Novillero wrote:
I think it is hard to move around the sidewalks on East Main, but not so bad as to ban the event.
The biggest problem I had was the garbage. And that could be solved by a few hundred bucks worth of extra cans. The event is cleaned up by the next day and there is little evidence that it even happened.
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Fiberisgoodforyou wrote:
OK Solution one....
Kruse night 50's, next month Kruse night 60's, next month Kruse night 70's, and Bike Night Kruse night..... Not sure how this will limit the crowds, but just a thought.
I have seen people drinking in the streets in the zone, and this also needs to be eliminated, ... Its the law, yet the open bar crawl is allowed, ... the New Orleans Mardi Gras behavior that has been allowed to build up, must end.
Make this A Family event again. How about Kids eat free till 9 PM from the restaurants,...no liquor off premise and last call at 10:00 PM during Kruse night and ... FBPD or County Sheriff or State police maintain a DWI check point at the FCP expense, during krusie night.
TO eliminate the "KIDS" a "kruse night curfew zone" for anyone under 19 without a parent.
Again, about the drinking, what we see on Kruse night is NOT tolerated at seaside or point pleasant boardwalk or streets. these same protocols must be observed. These too will limit the crowd of undesirables
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Novillero wrote:
After going through the parking lot of cars, I then usually fight my way to Ritas or Cafe 360. It's the crowds on the sidwalks that I like the least, but what can you do? (I always say to myself that it was a mistake to walk through the crowds by Feds and the Jester but still I find myself there over and over again. I never learn).
Here are my suggestions:
1. A crossing guard/police man around Sheriff or Spring Street, and one by Throckmorten.
2. More garbage cans for that night.
3. Stop vendors from selling from Main Street. Put them in the parking lot or on Court Street, at the Old Hall of Records, or at the back parking lot. Those vendors seem to create traffic jams on the sidewalk.
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Rich wrote:
It seems one avenue might be to raise the fees on outside vendors who are, essentially, free-riders on the event and their presence, while helpful, detracts from the effort to bring new business to existing Freehold stores that slug it out in the town year in and year out.
Perhaps that would help pay for some additional resources to manage crowd control.
Perhaps the Partnership can sponsor a "Freehold Beautiful" day to follow Kruise night. That would work to get community and business and association volunteers to do a town-wide clean-up post event -- lessening the clean-up burden and cost and expanding the effort to better beautify the town. (Schools, girl scouts, boy scouts, and other groups would likely help participate. Maybe the Freehold Voice and the LLA can help too.)
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Post by admin on Apr 2, 2008 13:10:44 GMT -5
Leelye wrote:
I've suggested in the past, using the inmate labor program at the Jail as a source of cleanup. The Borough uses the inmate labor from the Jail to beautify the Little League Fields, so why not after Kruise Night.
Perhaps if they eliminate the Motorcycles altogether, that would curb a lot of the problems. Or allow a limited amount and only antique motorcycles. It was originally set up for Antique Cars.
Maybe if they spread the Police presence around the town instead of hanging in one or two areas, there would be less problem areas. With all the police and trooper presence, how many tickets have been generated for cars running red lights, pedestrians jay walking and crossing the streets against the light, open alcoholic beverages?
How about some good old fashioned Traffic Police directing both Pedestrian and Car traffic?
Does the Borough still have the Bicycle Patrol? And in what capactiy are they used?
It's a two way street (both the Police and the Antique cars) and it can be fixed with some of these helpful suggestions.
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Post by novillero on Apr 2, 2008 13:12:55 GMT -5
let me be the first!
(1) crossing guards at various placeso on Main, South and throckmorton. Crossing guards can be police, or if costs are to be reduced, or supplied by local businesses.
(2) no vendors near the sidewalks on Main Street - these vendors create traffic and confusion. It's hard for a family with kids to get through these areas;
(3) "no standing" pedestrian lanes on the sidewalks, especially in front of the restaurants (they can get beepers or call people on cells). That is, make a clear lane of travel so people can get through. Put tape down to mark the walking/no stopping lanes if you have to.
(4) FAMILY FRIENDLY??? Close off Court Street and put vendors there and kid friendly things. Also, let vendor sell right on Lafayette Street. Many people enter teh festival from that direction due to parking, so these vendors have a first shot and last shot at sales to those people
(5) Permitting a larger area for alcohol consumption. What??? yes, you heard me. The problem on East Main is that too many people are congregated in front of the Bistro, Feds and the Jester where they are waiting for seating and/or just having a beer. There is nothing wrong with the consumption of alcohol, the problem is with everybody waiting in the same small spot. Mkaing the spot smaller doesn't stop people from drinking, it just makes it more difficult for traffic. Let people have from the smokeshop on Main all the way up to the Re/Max building. People waiting and drinkers will be able to spread out more. Businesses still get to make money and there will be less congestion.
(6) If any area gets too crowded, the police should instruct loitering people to move along. (again in restaurant row, the businesses should provide the service of calling people on cell phones or beepers to inform them of open spots, and there should be moving traffic lanes.)
CASE CLOSED!!!
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Post by novillero on Apr 2, 2008 13:17:32 GMT -5
Hey, Brian how'd all those posts get put up as I was putting mine up???
Forget most of Fiber's suggestions. I'll go with the known DWI checkpoints, perhaps even signs advertising it. But forget the police state suggestions of curfews, banning legal items (like alcohol, tickets for jaywalking, and slave labor.
I'll add to my items above:
(7) more garbage cans and recycling cans.
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Post by grasshopper on Apr 2, 2008 14:01:12 GMT -5
Two suggestions for Kruise Nite: to limit the number of motorcycles, a special parking permit could be issued--this would generate revenue towards the cost of the event while allowing the organizers to control how many bikes enter the downtown area. The second suggestion is to have a special ordinance that would require anyone under the age of 17 to be accompanied by an adult. The juveniles running amok, especially on the Hall of Records side of Main Street, have caused near riot conditions in the past two years. Parents just drop their kids off (like at the mall) and return at the end of the event, adding to the traffic problem.
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Post by grasshopper on Apr 2, 2008 14:01:55 GMT -5
Two suggestions for Kruise Nite: to limit the number of motorcycles, a special parking permit could be issued--this would generate revenue towards the cost of the event while allowing the organizers to control how many bikes enter the downtown area. The second suggestion is to have a special ordinance that would require anyone under the age of 17 to be accompanied by an adult. The juveniles running amok, especially on the Hall of Records side of Main Street, have caused near riot conditions in the past two years. Parents just drop their kids off (like at the mall) and return at the end of the event, adding to the traffic problem.
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Post by novillero on Apr 2, 2008 14:46:30 GMT -5
Two suggestions for Kruise Nite: to limit the number of motorcycles, a special parking permit could be issued--this would generate revenue towards the cost of the event while allowing the organizers to control how many bikes enter the downtown area. The second suggestion is to have a special ordinance that would require anyone under the age of 17 to be accompanied by an adult. The juveniles running amok, especially on the Hall of Records side of Main Street, have caused near riot conditions in the past two years. Parents just drop their kids off (like at the mall) and return at the end of the event, adding to the traffic problem. Is this Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan? Pay to park on Throckmorton? How many bikes do we get there? and what would the price be? Perhaps, but I think you run into problems when you single out one group to clamp down on. I am sure there is some legal challenge that could be made that would just wind up causing more of a problem by enforcing rules against one group over others. What about charging $5.00 per "classic" car? And charging $2.50 per bike on Throckmorton? (I don't necessarily agree with this either, but this is a discussion and I would like to see where it leads and how it ends.) I agree that the kids at the Hall of Records are a problem, but I think it's the traffic they cause and not the kids themselves (and not just the kids either). Can't kids hang out anywhere without their parents. Be grateful there are events in town for kids to go to instead of being banned from everywhere so that they have to find more secretive places and different things to do... Perhaps if the FCP staged a person or two (wearing a funny hat to make them look official) who would be responsible to move loiterers along. you know, 23 Skidoooo.... Anyway, if Court Street gets shut down to cars and open for vendors and pedestrians, loiterers get moved to the periphereeeee. |
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Post by admin on Apr 2, 2008 14:49:51 GMT -5
I will ad my two cents. before doing so, I have to make clear that I have not been to a Kruise Nite in some time. I will be commenting without really knowing what the practice has been in recent years. I am commenting based on the fact that I have worked numerous events over the years, so I have had a good inside look at what goes on and what is needed. I will try not to duplicate what others have written.
Starting with the basic three things that every event needs. parking, security, and sanitation.
Parking and traffic
Our town is a bit short on this so I imagine an event would really need it. Consider limiting traffic into the town on the night. For those who want to come into town, it may not be a bad idea to consider hiring a shuttle service and finding a place near the center of town where people can park and take the shuttle. East Freehold park for example.
By putting visitors cars elsewhere, it could open up more room for classic cars, therefore enticing more of them to come back.
Security
Definitely a police job. I will not comment any further on this except on the concept of crossing guards that others have mentioned. This is a good idea. Civic groups and volunteers could help out here. Police explorers are one such option. Some have mentioned requiring the businesses to hire staff for this. Not a bad idea.
Sanitation
This includes garbage, restrooms, and litter.
People need to "go". Are there port-a-johns or other accommodations available? We do want to cut down on public urination don't we?
Garbage and litter are the other . I see Novillero mentioned more cans. Leelye brought up the need for clean up crew, possibly using the jail labor. ( great program) I have seen the trash the day after and it is not good. That tells me that there is a need to have more people cleaning up during the event. That means emptying trash before it overflows, and continually picking up the trash on the ground. If this means paying over time to our under paid municipal employees if enough volunteers are not present, then it should be done.
The above are obvious. Now I will be the bad guy. Many people have mentioned the need to cut down on riff raff and make this a family friendly event. That means getting the alcohol off the street, at least until things calm down. Yes, people are going to drink the good stuff, but there comes a time when cracking the whip a little goes a long way toward getting people to be a little bit more responsible.
As far as the event itself, I have heard that many of our own residents do not go anymore. That is real bad. We need to see more community involvement and enjoyment. Bring in more local groups such as clubs and the schools to participate and therefore attract more people from town.
Bringing our own community in will give people a bigger sense of pride and ownership. That will cut down on nonsense. Out of town yahoos will not care as much about what they do to us.
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Post by admin on Apr 2, 2008 15:15:13 GMT -5
Two suggestions for Kruise Nite: to limit the number of motorcycles, a special parking permit could be issued--this would generate revenue toward the cost of the event while allowing the organizers to control how many bikes enter the downtown area. The second suggestion is to have a special ordinance that would require anyone under the age of 17 to be accompanied by an adult. The juveniles running amok, especially on the Hall of Records side of Main Street, have caused near riot conditions in the past two years. Parents just drop their kids off (like at the mall) and return at the end of the event, adding to the traffic problem. Is this Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan? Pay to park on Throckmorton? How many bikes do we get there? and what would the price be? Perhaps, but I think you run into problems when you single out one group to clamp down on. I am sure there is some legal challenge that could be made that would just wind up causing more of a problem by enforcing rules against one group over others. What about charging $5.00 per "classic" car? And charging $2.50 per bike on Throckmorton? (I don't necessarily agree with this either, but this is a discussion and I would like to see where it leads and how it ends.) I agree that the kids at the Hall of Records are a problem, but I think it's the traffic they cause and not the kids themselves (and not just the kids either). Can't kids hang out anywhere without their parents. Be grateful there are events in town for kids to go to instead of being banned from everywhere so that they have to find more secretive places and different things to do... Perhaps if the FCP staged a person or two (wearing a funny hat to make them look official) who would be responsible to move loiterers along. you know, 23 Skidoooo.... Anyway, if Court Street gets shut down to cars and open for vendors and pedestrians, loiterers get moved to the periphereeeee. I wouldn't dismiss Grasshopper so quick. These events cost money. My own outline has a lot of costs attached. What would be wrong with capitalizing off of it and getting a few bucks off of cars, bikes etc. for this one night? It will hit out of towners first, before our taxes. I like that. |
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Post by novillero on Apr 2, 2008 15:34:19 GMT -5
not dismissing grasshopper, but wanting to see how it plays out. How does it work, are there practical or legal problems? How do you charge, how much, to whom? if you charge bikes, why not charge the classic cars $5.00, it's really a minor amount and would discourage how many? It certainly would cover crossing guard fees.
The mayor bloomberg was a timely joke...
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 2, 2008 15:48:51 GMT -5
plain and simple..WE CAN NOT MANAGE A CROWD OF 10k PLUS PEOPLE IN THE BOROUGH.
These events must be smaller, can be more frequent, but it has gotten totally unsafe in such a small space.
Even with the concept of vendor at the back end of the parking lot, and turn Lafayette street and maybe even Main Street too, into a traffic free pedestrian promenade. 10K people with a small PB backed up with a handful of Township and County Law Enforcement, there is a danger.
If the FBFD needs to get cross town, there are too many important streets closed off, and every moment delayed can mean a life. And what if a gun around the Rug Mill section of town goes off? Response time is seriously impeded, and manpower is strapped down with managing 10,000 cruise night people.
Sorry, but the event must be restyle to a smaller audience, period.
2 X's a month will help sustain the revenue.
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Post by stffgpr2003 on Apr 2, 2008 16:04:05 GMT -5
Wow! This is all great stuff. I'm taking notes and the page is filling up, fast. This is probably one of the most productive discussions ever hosted on this site. Some thoughts are worth considering, some may not be do-able, but EVERYTHING shows great thinking and creativity. I definitely appreciate all the input you have given. I hope we can do this with all the challenges that come our way.
Thanks!
Marc
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Post by lisas84 on Apr 2, 2008 18:39:25 GMT -5
Wow!
I love it! Thank you Brian first and foremost for taking the lead to get this thread started. I know there are great minds that participate here, so encouraging.
People who care about the downtown FB and Kruise Nite who have posted here, your heartfelt words are indeed meaningful and appreciated, at least by me. Thank you for proving to me that people care and are willing to open your unique and fertile minds to give what you feel is worthwhile.
Without that, how can anything truly progress?
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Post by lisas84 on Apr 2, 2008 18:47:28 GMT -5
Post-posting musing -- by "proving to me" does not in any way imply that I am anybody of note or anyone special. I am not. I am simply a contentedly common someone who is very optimistic by nature and through hard-earned life lessons. So, please dont' take that as anything ego-serving. What I simply meant was I am heartened to read and see the energy of ideas flowing here.
Keep it up! This is, to use a phrase I grew up wth in my early years, groovy!
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Post by admin on Apr 3, 2008 15:49:10 GMT -5
Wow! This is all great stuff. I'm taking notes and the page is filling up, fast. This is probably one of the most productive discussions ever hosted on this site. Some thoughts are worth considering, some may not be do-able, but EVERYTHING shows great thinking and creativity. I definitely appreciate all the input you have given. I hope we can do this with all the challenges that come our way. Thanks! Marc Hey! Give us some credit, we have had many very productive conversations on this site. You have been a part of many of them. But, I agree, this is a good thread. In the near future I hope to see many more positive changes. All of the usual will apply, but there should be some more good things coming here soon, I am working on it.. One of which will be the addition of a new staff member to the site. ( When that person is ready) Now, since this thread is about ideas, I cannot post with out giving up another. My inspiration comes from the problems the schools have been having with art and music programs. I believe strongly that these elements need to be invited and welcome in our town. More arts and music in our town would really add some flavor. Could the new and improved Kruise Nite find a creative way to high light these things? Maybe working off of Fiber's decade theme idea? |
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Post by stffgpr2003 on Apr 3, 2008 17:32:34 GMT -5
Brian: More arts and music? Hmmm...sounds like the start of some worthwhile thinking about additional programs for the downtown. Why shoot the entire (idea) load at one time and on KN? Let's hope the Partnership gets more creative...very creative. It's a big events calendar and something has got to fill it.  Marc |
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