Community, Town Show Support for Police Force With Blue Stripe Down Peconic Lane

PECONIC, NY — A community group has come together to show their support for Southold's brave men and women in blue.

John Betsch, president of the Kenney's/McCabe's Beach Civic Association, approached the Southold Town board at a recent work session in October and said his organization would like to fund the painting of a blue stripe between the double yellow line on a town road to "demonstrate support for our Southold Police Department."

At the October 18 work session, Betsch said he'd seen an article about community in New Jersey showing support for their police departments. "I thought it was interesting," he said.

At first, he said, the thought was to site the blue line in front of the police department, but the concept was impossible due to the fact that it's a state road, he said.

When Peconic Lane was mentioned, it seemed like a good fit, since there are several town facilities, including the town's recreation center, community center, highway department and parks located on that thoroughfare.

Betsch worked with the highway department to obtain prices for the paint and work involved, and on Wednesday, he, along with Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley, Police Captain Frank Kruszeski, and Southold Town Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando were onhand to watch crews paint the line.

The paint, he said, was mixed with glass crystals so the line will be visible even at night.

Peconic Lane was closed Wednesday morning while the painting was completed.

Southold Town Councilwoman Jill Doherty said the plan was a "good idea" and Councilman Jim Dinizio said police often ride up and down that lane. Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell also supported the idea, along with the rest of the town board.

"The request was very enthusiastically received and agreed to by the town board," Betsch said.

The line is meant to show the town's support for the sacrifices and hard work of the police department every day in Southold, Betsch said.