On behalf of the members of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce as well as the countless thousands who visited town during our Long Island Fall Festival and Huntington Restaurant Week, thank you.

Ongoing incidents of rowdyism and lawlessness by a group of teens on Wall Street in Huntington Village and the assault of a restaurant owner on September 25, 2009 were cause for concern. The Fall Festival and Restaurant Week are important events designed to attract visitors from all over Long Island and the metro area. While maintaining public safety is always foremost, it was particularly imperative during these high-traffic events.

The Second Precinct’s response to our concerns was immediate and effective. The number of uniformed officers patrolling on foot, bike and in sector cars sent a clear message. It was reassuring to see control of the street was in police hands and not a lawless group of teenagers.

The Fall Festival and Restaurant Week were a tremendous success, thanks in part to your efforts. While the police presence and cooler temperatures seems to have calmed the situation in and around Wall Street, we remain concerned. The area where the incidents occurred is the heart of Huntington Village’s restaurant row. The safety of those who visit the village – whether it’s to enjoy its restaurants or shop – should be paramount.

Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce hopes that the Second Precinct will continue focusing its attention on this important area. We hope that the SCPD can find a way to bring a permanent foot-patrol presence to the village, and we stand ready to assist the Department in any way to help make that happen.