Kruise Nite popularity raises boro concerns Organizers of event are trying to address traffic, patrol issues

Staff Writer

By dick metzgar

Kruise Nite popularity
raises boro concerns
Organizers of event
are trying to address
traffic, patrol issues

There can be no doubt Kruise Nite has been one of the most popular events ever held in Freehold Borough.

Now, it seems, the event has become too popular and is bursting at the seams, causing concern among some residents and motorists passing through town who may not be interested in the event.

Councilman Richard Daesener brought these concerns to the attention of the Borough Council at its July 9 workshop meeting and suggested that these concerns be addressed before they can adversely affect the popularity of the event.

Kruise Nite has attained institution status in the county seat since the event was first held in the downtown area in September 1990. It is held on the last Thursday of each month from May through September from about 5-10 p.m. However, it is not unusual for Kruise Nite participants to be in town before and after these hours.

Thousands of people pour into town to see the classic and antique cars and, in more recent years, the motorcycles that are mostly parked on Throckmorton Street between Court and Broad streets. And the event appears to be attracting even more people and traffic.

Daesener said the concerns focus on three main issues:

• the volume of traffic that clogs borough streets during the evenings of the events;

• crowd control as people participating in the event flow over into the street;

• the loud noise created by large groups of motorcycles leaving town after midnight.

"Through personal observation and discussions with residents, the three main challenges came to light," Daesener said. "Please keep in mind that I am aware of the positive tangible and intangible aspects that Kruise Nite and other popular events bring to the borough. However, no matter how positive an event is, we still need to respond to the needs of our residents."

Kruise Nite is co-sponsored by the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, the Freehold Center Partnership, Freehold Ford/Kia and Mr. Cycle Parts. It is coordinated by the Freehold Cruisers.

Borough officials and sponsorship representatives said everything will be done to address the issues pinpointed by Daesener without jeopardizing the popularity or future success of the event.

"The volume of traffic on Kruise Nite has never been greater," Daesener said. "Although it is wonderful that so many people come to the borough and are able to experience our town, the residents are burdened with trying to navigate through our streets at great cost of personal time and aggravation.

"The traffic, a combination of pure volume of cars and parking of vehicles for the show, has choked our town to proportions that need attention," the councilman continued. "One resident wrote to me to explain that the congestion was so bad that he parked his car and walked home to Park Avenue. This is an extreme case, but it highlights a need for our attention."

Partnership and chamber representatives met with police officials to discuss the Kruise Nite concerns.

"We are working with Police Chief Michael Beierschmitt to determine an alternate route for people who want to avoid Kruise Nite traffic," said Jayne Carr, executive director of the partnership. "On the night of the event (radio stations) could advise motorists of the existence of the alternate route. Maps could be provided to show the alternate route. We also discussed extending parking on South Street from Main Street to Mechanic Street."

The cost of providing extra police personnel is also a concern, according to borough officials.

"Again, it is wonderful that so many people come to visit our town, however, crowd control and the volume of people on our streets need attention," Daesener said. "Patrons of the event are so crowded on the sidewalks that the street becomes an option. This is particularly acute from the library area on East Main Street to the corner of Main and South streets.

"At this point it is more important to ensure the continued success of the event through adequate control than to have an unfortunate experience that can be second-guessed as a lack of manpower," the councilman said. "It is better to be proactive and continue the event at a higher cost than be reactive and cancel the event due to an unfortunate incident."

The downtown area is covered by the borough’s regular patrols, which include a four-man bicycle patrol, according to police Capt. Michael DiAiso, which the town pays for. On Kruise Nite, two extra officers are added between 5-10 p.m. which are paid for by downtown restaurant operators.

Police are recommending that two more officers be employed on Kruise Nite to walk through the assembled crowds.

"The event is expanding beyond the downtown area because of its popularity," DiAiso said. "We now feel that two more men are needed to patrol on foot through the crowds."

Carr said the sponsors are making an effort to make up the cost for the extra men.

The motorcycle noise is a more difficult problem, Daesener said, because there is no law prohibiting motorcycles from passing through town at any time.

"Taking our concerns to the motorcycle crowd may help," Daesener said. "At this point, no one in the motorcycle crowd may even realize this is a concern of the council."