Suffolk Adds Police Officer To Patrol Downtown Patchogue

PATCHOGUE, NY - The Suffolk County Police Department is adding another officer to patrol downtown Patchogue, the village announced.

The officer will also be monitoring bar patrons and panhandlers, Mayor Paul Pontieri said at Monday's village board meeting.

According to village officials, officers will be on South Ocean Avenue and on Main Street.

Pontieri told Patch the village has been working closely with Suffolk Police past several years on and off and one of the things officials have asked for is for a little more presence on Main Street.

"We have had issues, as many other communities have, with panhandlers and with kids on bicycles driving down the middle of the street," he said.

Officials hope the additional police will help to curb those types of issues.

"I asked one of the panhandlers 'why Patchogue?' and he said 'this is where the people are, this is where the money is,'" Pontieri said. "We just want to make sure Main Street is safe."

Additional reporting by Priscila Korb