Monday, December 2, 2024
Law enforcement officials in Rockville Centre are ramping up efforts to address a well-known spot for underage drinking and illegal activities. The overpass on Peninsula Boulevard, between North Village Avenue and Hempstead Lake State Park — known locally as “the bridge” — has long been a popular gathering spot for teenagers taking part in late-night bonfires, weekend parties and other risky behavior.
In response, the Police Department, in collaboration with the Rockville Centre Coalition for Youth, is implementing a series of measures aimed at improving safety and curbing illicit activity.
Police Commissioner Randy Dodd recently announced the installation of security cameras at three footbridges in the area, part of a broader initiative to discourage crime and protect the community.
“I am pleased to announce that we are currently in the process of installing security cameras at each of the three walk bridges to deter crime, as well as enhance our patrol efforts,” Dodd said last week. “In the meantime, the Police Department continues to conduct intensified patrols of the walk bridges over Peninsula Boulevard during both daytime and nighttime hours to check for unsafe and illegal behaviors. As always, we ask parents to remind their children about the importance of obeying the law and making responsible decisions.”
The cameras will be installed along pedestrian pathways at Bulson Road, DeMott Avenue and Lakeside Drive. The initiative is part of a sustained effort by the Coalition for Youth, a community organization comprising school staff, parents, students and residents dedicated to combating substance abuse among minors.
On Nov. 19, the coalition held a community discussion at the St. Agnes Parish Center to address teen alcohol and drug use. Two South Side High School students shared candid accounts of the dangerous behavior they had seen among their peers. Their stories highlighted the low perception of risk of such activities, particularly in familiar hangouts like the bridge.
“What these boys were saying was quite eye-opening and alarming,” Ruthanne McCormack, the coalition’s project coordinator, said. “The perception of risk is very low, but these students are tempting fate before the holidays.”
McCormack explained that the two students had initially reached out to the Rev. Matt Browne, of St. Agnes Cathedral, to discuss the patterns of destructive behavior they had observed. These conversations helped the boys rediscover their Christian faith, and inspired them to make positive changes in their lives.
Their renewed sense of purpose spurred them to host a weekly Sunday gathering, drawing more than 60 local teens. The meetings, which feature pizza and discussions of scripture, life challenges and the participants’ aspirations, provide a safe and supportive outlet for area young people.
The students’ efforts also led to the formation of a Christian club at South Side, aimed at fostering a sense of community and offering additional support to their peers.
McCormack noted that while the cameras are a significant step forward, the funding for the project was secured years ago.
This isn’t the first time law enforcement has focused on the bridge as a site of concern. In 2018, increased police patrols significantly reduced the number of summonses issued to students caught drinking or trespassing in nearby parks after hours. But the problem resurfaced during the coronavirus pandemic, when police reported a 25 percent increase in hospitalizations linked to underage drinking.
For McCormack, the recent surge illustrates the need for continued efforts to address substance abuse among minors. By combining security measures like patrols and cameras with proactive community outreach, officials hope to create a safer environment for Rockville Centre youth.
The Coalition for Youth represents more than 20 community groups, including the School District, the Police Department, the PTA Council, the Lions Club, the Hispanic Brotherhood, St. Agnes Parish, Vineyard Church, the Chamber of Commerce, the National Guard Counter Drug Task Force and others.
“The district has always enjoyed a cooperative and supportive relationships with the Rockville Centre Police Department,” Schools Superintendent Matt Gaven wrote in an email. “We have cooperated on a number of issues in the past and will continue to do so.”
For more information, or to get involved in the RVC Coalition for Youth’s efforts, contact McCormack at ramccormack@rvccoalitionforyouth.org, or (516) 313-9041.
