Post by admin on May 30, 2008 4:02:51 GMT -5
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080530/NEWS01/805300493/1285/LOCAL09
FREEHOLD — Though the first Kruise Night of the year was different from years past, few were complaining Thursday night.
"It's noticeably nicer," said Arthur Geller, a Freehold resident who checked out the many vintage automobiles on display with his wife, Ilene, and their 11-year-old granddaughter, Kayla.
An estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people attended the borough's Kruise Night Thursday, the first held since borough officials canceled the annual events then decided to allow them after local business representatives agreed to several changes.
The changes included allowing designated parking only for automobiles 25 years or older, banning alcohol consumption outside licensed premises, increased security and an earlier closing time for entertainment and vendors.
Designated parking for motorcycles was not allowed this year at the Kruise Night events, which are popular vintage vehicle shows held the last Thursday of the month from May to August.
Despite the restriction on motorcycle parking, several bikers polled said they had no trouble finding parking. Indeed, a few even managed to park along East Main Street outside the Main Street Bistro.
"I think it's fine," said Dan Colson, 46, of Middletown. Colson said he had no problem with either the loss of special motorcycle parking or the limits on alcohol consumption.
John Lamarr, 41, of Jackson, had a very different opinion, however.
"It sucks. We're leaving," Lamarr said, as he waited on his motorcycle for his friends to meet him.
Lamarr complained of the added police presence, which he said "puts a bad taste in your mouth." In past years, he said, "It (Kruise Night) was a lot more of a relaxed, party atmosphere."
That party atmosphere was what concerned some borough officials and residents, who worried about the security risks of so many people — and so many people drinking — in such a small area.
Many juveniles attend Kruise Night, and there have been problems like fights breaking out, Police Chief Mitch Roth said Thursday.
"We've had several issues," Roth said.
Thursday night, all Freehold police officers — except those on vacation — were working, Roth said. They were aided by six State Police officers and two sheriff's officers, Roth said.
"I thought it was a very pleasant evening. I thought it went very well," said Roth.
Attendees seemed to comply with the new regulations and the officers did a good job maintaining a visible presence and enforcing the rules, Roth said.
Reminding people of those rules were several banners and signs warning people against drinking alcohol off licensed premises.
One glitch, said Roth, was that not all designated areas had the proper signage, which meant motorcycles parked in the corridor between Main Street and the Market Yard parking lot. That area had been reserved for vintage vehicles.
That issue will be addressed, Roth said.
For two local restaurant owners who had lobbied to keep Kruise Night, business was slower than usual for a Kruise Night but they said they were nonetheless pleased with the changes made.
"So far, I think it's been a successful Kruise Night. It's been very organized and very controlled," said Mike Page, owner of the Court Jester restaurant and chairman of the Freehold Center Partnership, which sponsors Kruise Night. "It (business) is quieter," said Mike Federici, co-owner of Federici's Pizzeria.
But, he said, "To be honest, I'm kind of glad we lost that crowd of people coming in and getting sloshed."
FREEHOLD — Though the first Kruise Night of the year was different from years past, few were complaining Thursday night.
"It's noticeably nicer," said Arthur Geller, a Freehold resident who checked out the many vintage automobiles on display with his wife, Ilene, and their 11-year-old granddaughter, Kayla.
An estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people attended the borough's Kruise Night Thursday, the first held since borough officials canceled the annual events then decided to allow them after local business representatives agreed to several changes.
The changes included allowing designated parking only for automobiles 25 years or older, banning alcohol consumption outside licensed premises, increased security and an earlier closing time for entertainment and vendors.
Designated parking for motorcycles was not allowed this year at the Kruise Night events, which are popular vintage vehicle shows held the last Thursday of the month from May to August.
Despite the restriction on motorcycle parking, several bikers polled said they had no trouble finding parking. Indeed, a few even managed to park along East Main Street outside the Main Street Bistro.
"I think it's fine," said Dan Colson, 46, of Middletown. Colson said he had no problem with either the loss of special motorcycle parking or the limits on alcohol consumption.
John Lamarr, 41, of Jackson, had a very different opinion, however.
"It sucks. We're leaving," Lamarr said, as he waited on his motorcycle for his friends to meet him.
Lamarr complained of the added police presence, which he said "puts a bad taste in your mouth." In past years, he said, "It (Kruise Night) was a lot more of a relaxed, party atmosphere."
That party atmosphere was what concerned some borough officials and residents, who worried about the security risks of so many people — and so many people drinking — in such a small area.
Many juveniles attend Kruise Night, and there have been problems like fights breaking out, Police Chief Mitch Roth said Thursday.
"We've had several issues," Roth said.
Thursday night, all Freehold police officers — except those on vacation — were working, Roth said. They were aided by six State Police officers and two sheriff's officers, Roth said.
"I thought it was a very pleasant evening. I thought it went very well," said Roth.
Attendees seemed to comply with the new regulations and the officers did a good job maintaining a visible presence and enforcing the rules, Roth said.
Reminding people of those rules were several banners and signs warning people against drinking alcohol off licensed premises.
One glitch, said Roth, was that not all designated areas had the proper signage, which meant motorcycles parked in the corridor between Main Street and the Market Yard parking lot. That area had been reserved for vintage vehicles.
That issue will be addressed, Roth said.
For two local restaurant owners who had lobbied to keep Kruise Night, business was slower than usual for a Kruise Night but they said they were nonetheless pleased with the changes made.
"So far, I think it's been a successful Kruise Night. It's been very organized and very controlled," said Mike Page, owner of the Court Jester restaurant and chairman of the Freehold Center Partnership, which sponsors Kruise Night. "It (business) is quieter," said Mike Federici, co-owner of Federici's Pizzeria.
But, he said, "To be honest, I'm kind of glad we lost that crowd of people coming in and getting sloshed."
