The East Hampton Town Police Department’s planning for security at the Montauk Friends of Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade, to be held on March 30, begins early in the new year and continues until a week before the parade. But after the attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year’s Day that killed 14 people, there is an even greater focus on safety this year.
“We are currently looking at how to make things safer for the residents of East Hampton and with that knowledge and reflection of what happened in those tragic events,” Town Councilman David Lys said at a Feb. 3 Montauk Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, noting that the Montauk parade is the largest on Long Island.
“We’re well aware of New Orleans,” said East Hampton Town Police Lt. Greg Martin, speaking by phone on Feb. 10. Lieutenant Martin is the officer in charge of parade security. “We do have an abundance of resources at our disposal,” he continued. There could be additional security barriers this year, and police, fire, and emergency medical service vehicles from within the town and the outside agencies that assist during the parade could be utilized “in specific situations, he said, “to help with the flow of traffic at intersections, but we have a large police presence as we always have with these events.” The department also has access to aerial drones and even K-9 units if necessary.
In planning for the parade, police often look to previous years to see where their resources were best used. Most movement at the parade occurs when it is over and people are leaving by car or train, Lietenant Martin said. “As far as our local agency, we’re well aware of the egress and the exits and such for the community of Montauk and East Hampton Town over all,” he said. “The closing down of the roadways would be the biggest thing that people have to prepare for.”
The most important thing, he said, is to make sure everyone feels safe and has a good time.
Joe Bloecker, a longtime member of the Montauk Friends of Erin, will be the grand marshal of this year’s parade, which starts at noon.