As Cricket World Cup continues in Eisenhower Park, safety remains a priority

Three games have already been played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium for the International Cricket Committee’s T20 World Cup, but the tournament is far from over on Long Island.

Five straight days of games will be played between June 7 and June 12, and strictly enforced road closures, park closures and security measures will remain in place.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman has called the event, which kicked off with a practice match on June 1, “the Super Bowl on steroids.” Along with law enforcement officials last week, he explained to news reporters what the county has been doing to provide safety for spectators and those who live and work in the general vicinity.

For over a year, the county has had “meetings and tabletop exercises,” Blakeman said, and taken every precaution and preparation necessary to host a major event.

The Nassau County Police Department, led by Commissioner Patrick Ryder, has worked closely with the Suffolk County Police Department, the NYPD, as well as local village departments, to ensure everyone is up to speed on safety procedures. The county has also worked closely with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, along with other law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies, to prepare and plan for the world cup.

Threats of all kinds happen in all counties, Blakeman said, and with an event of such magnitude occurring in the center of Nassau, everything is being taken seriously.

“There are the same procedures for every threat,” he said. “We track down all leads and make sure that we are on top of every situation that could possibly arise. To that end, we have taken many, many precautions (to make) sure that the stadium and surrounding Eisenhower Park are safe.”

Blakeman said the fire departments in East Meadow and Uniondale have both provided ongoing assistance during the planning process and the tournament.

“It is truly a cooperative effort,” he said. “It is very gratifying that we have such high level law enforcement and homeland security professionals, as well as our health team. Our Nassau County Department of Health is actively involved. If I wasn’t sure that we were safe and secure, and that our health care measures were not in place, I would not do this.”

During past games, and future games, the county has requested that the Federal Aviation Administration place a no-fly zone over the stadium. Ryder said that no one would be allowed to fly droves over the stadium either.

As games continue through this weekend and early next week, several road closures will impact the area while games are being played.

Through June 12, Park Boulevard will be closed in both directions between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Merrick Avenue will be closed in both directions between Hempstead Turnpike and Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Charles Lindbergh Boulevard will be closed eastbound at Earle Ovington Boulevard, from 4:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and James Doolittle Boulevard will be closed at Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, from the Uniondale Marriot’s main entrance, from 4:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Hempstead Turnpike will remain open in both directions, as will Earle Ovington Boulevard. General parking will be provided at Nassau Coliseum, and Nassau Community College will handle the overflow. If people are driving to attend a game, they must park in one of these lots. They can then take a shuttle or walk to the stadium, via Charles Lindbergh Boulevard.

People who live in neighborhoods surrounding the park in East Meadow and Salisbury are concerned that drivers may attempt to park on their streets. Ryder said the police department would attempt to mitigate that.

“If you’re going to park in the neighborhoods, you’re probably going to receive a ticket if you are not a resident in that neighborhood,” Ryder said. “If you park illegally, you will be told we’re trying to keep respect for our neighbors in our communities. The county executive made sure that we have the enforcement in those backstreets.”

Public transportation, via the Long Island Rail Road to the Westbury train station, is still highly encouraged, Robert Freed, president of the LIRR, said. Increased service to the station will be provided, with 29 additional stops, or 65 extra trains on weekdays, and 32 additional stops, or 64 extra trains on the weekend.

“All of this robust service is possible because the MTA has upgraded the mainline with a new third track, that allows us to operate both trains on the mainline in both directions,” Freed said. “This comes to the forefront for big events like this because it means we can now bring fans to the event from New York City and Long Island without disrupting service.”

Most of Eisenhower Park will be closed throughout the remainder of the tournament. The white golf course is open, but a tee time must be reserved, and drivers can only access the park from Salisbury Park Drive if they’re golfing. The Allstar Children’s Center, a daycare and preschool facility, is also still accessible to parents and students from its Merrick Avenue entrance.

Parking for “VIPs,” Ryder said, is at The Lannin, which is the restaurant and catering hall in Eisenhower Park. The only people permitted to park there must have a permit. The restaurant will be open in the evening, after the games are over, to mitigate the loss of business.