Patchogue has seen tremendous growth over the last several years. What was once a struggling downtown area is now alive and well. There are chic new apartments, great trendy restaurants, and cute shops lining Main Street. Restaurants and nightlife have once again returned and it’s all been great for the Patchogue economy. A recent Newsday article noted that Patchogue has seen a 700 million dollar economic boom from 2000 to 2017.

The Problem with Growth

While this is all good news, there are some issues with Patchogue’s exploding economic scene, many of the local restaurants transition to pubs and bars late at night. Often, these restaurants remove tables to create extra space to fit more bar patrons and accommodate dancing. This has led to overcrowding which in turn has led to safety issues. When you mix alcohol into any equation you have a recipe for disaster.

Often in situations like this, we see dangerous conditions such as wet slippery floors develop. This presents a slipping hazard and can lead to a visit to the Emergency Room. Another issue we see in situations like this is the overserving of alcohol which can lead to several more issues; violent behavior increases when a person is intoxicated, resulting in more assaults, and there is an even greater chance of slipping, tripping, and falling when you are intoxicated as your coordination is diminished.

To combat the issue of overcrowding, the Town of Patchogue has recently passed a new ordinance making it illegal to remove tables from a restaurant without a permit. This is aimed at cutting down on crowds.

Another issue that arises when a town has an active bar scene is drunk driving. In one recent incident, a drunk driver was arrested for driving the wrong way on Main Street. In another incident, a drunk driver crashed into a building. As you can see, drunk driving is a danger to everyone, not just other drivers, so it’s important to always be vigilant of automobile drivers.

Another issue in Patchogue is increased criminal activity. With the influx of people into the area, there has been a rise in certain crimes, including car break-ins. So, always be sure to take all valuables out of your car and lock your car doors. It’s also best to park your car in well-lit areas.

The economic growth in Patchogue is something that we all should enjoy, however, it’s always a good thing to exercise a little caution.