Residents Angered Over Party Scene in Montauk

Almost 300 residents gathered at Montauk Fire Department for the East Hampton Town Board meeting in order to express their anger at the recent party scene in Montauk, especially during the Fourth of July weekend.

“It’s gotten a reputation as a party town and that is not good,” Montauk resident Bill Akin said during the meeting. “It’s not good for anything out here because everyone’s property values decline and the people who are the core of the community end up going away.”

Complaints caused by Montauk visitors made by residents included: public urination, noise, parking problems, and overcrowding of rental homes and bars, according to Newsday.

“It’s a safety issue -- young people who come here just for the weekend are drunk in the middle of the street and they’re throwing up -- there are a lot of issues,” Amagansett resident Rona Klopman, told Newsday. “Bars are serving drinks to kids who are already intoxicated . . . kids are getting off the trains already intoxicated.

The angry residents asked for ”enforcement of town fire safety codes to restrict the number of people who can occupy a given establishment, and for enforcement of parking regulations and sanitary codes,” according to 27east.

Police Chief Michael Sarlo said that the department had 13 out of 42 total officers on duty in Montauk last weekend which is an “unsustainable level of staffing,” according to 27east.

On Friday night, East Hampton Town Police wrote up 21 parking tickets and 23 town code summons, and in Montauk on Saturday night, police wrote 37 town ordinances, 16 parking tickets, 24 traffic citations and made five arrests, according to police.

“Officers are working hard to keep peace and order and improve safety and quality of life,” police wrote on the East Hampton Town Police Department Facebook page.

During the meeting, the Town Board agreed to authorize overtime funding for police, fire and code enforcement personnel for the summer, according to Newsday.

“Good to see the community coming together to address concerns,” police wrote in a Facebook post. “The EHTPD is committed to working towards solutions.”

Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell agreed with residents that the Fourth of July weekend was especially bad.

“What occurred over Fourth of July weekend was unacceptable to everyone,” he said according to 27east. “In some ways, there are competing interests fighting over the heart and soul of Montauk. My goal is to direct this energy for positive change.”