Can Port Chester Stop the 2 a.m. Bar Influx?

Just over the border in Connecticut, 1:30 a.m. marks last call at drinking at most drinking establishments.

Once the clock hits 2 a.m., the lights go out and bar patrons shuffle out of places in Stamford, Norwalk and Greenwich. And if they plan to continue their revelry, the most convenient place to go is Port Chester.

Out-of-towners arrive en masse on weekend nights, bar-hopping across state lines to take advantage of the fact that drinking establishments here in New York stay open two hours later than their Connecticut counterparts.

Along with their money and thirst for beer, some patrons also bring their appetite for conflict. That was the case this past weekend, when more than two dozen people were involved in a brawl outside Adee Street bar . Victims told police they were attacked by large groups of drunk, roving men using makeshift weapons like rock-filled socks and metal bars.

Although police did not release the names of those involved because the combatants scattered and no arrests were made, Port Chester police took witness statements and noted that every person involved gave addresses in Stamford, Norwalk and Greenwich, with the exception of one victim who was from Port Chester.

Long-time residents and those who pass through Port Chester during late night hours are probably familiar with police roadblocks set up on Hillside Avenue, less than a mile from the border that separates the village from Greenwich. Although police conduct roadblocks as often as possible, they have limited resources and depend on grants from groups like the county Stop DWI program to fund such efforts. Roadblocks require extra officers on shift, and overtime quickly adds up.

Should the village make it a priority to fund additional roadblocks and put more officers on overnight shifts during the weekend? Or can Port Chester officials attack the late-night influx in other ways that are less resource-intensive?

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