With new rules in place, Kruise Nite ready to go
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

FREEHOLD - Guests who attend Freehold Borough's Kruise Nite on the final Thursday of May, June, July and August will need to be aware of new rules that have been put in place.

The first Kruise Nite event of 2008 will be held on May 29.

Officials passed several resolutions at a Borough Council meeting on May 19 that will allow the event to continue but with some changes in its format.

The resolutions were passed in a 4-1 vote. The no vote came from Councilman Jaye Sims. Councilman Michael DeBenedetto was absent from the meeting.

Sims said he voted no on the resolutions which established some new Kruise Nite guidelines because he still believes the event could pose a threat to the safety of residents,

One resolution is an agreement between Freehold Borough and the Freehold Center Partnership (FCP) that addresses issues such as parking, alcohol consumption and the addition of the partnership providing volunteers, and police supervision, among other items.

The resolution states that the borough has designated certain areas as "event parking." Only cars and trucks 25 years or older will qualify to park in the following areas: Main Street from the Spring Street/Center Street intersection to Throckmorton Street; the Monmouth County parking lot adjacent to the Monmouth County Hall of Records (after 5 p.m); and the Market Yard entrance from Main Street into the Market Yard. No public parking will be allowed in those areas after 5 p.m. on any Kruise Nite.

There will be no reserved parking or area set aside for motorcycles.Motorcycles will be permitted to park in any legal parking space.

According to the agreement, the partnership is required to provide adequate signs on Main Street and in designated parking lots to make visitors aware of the new parking regulations. Handicapped parking spaces in the county parking lot will not be used for handicapped parking on Kruise Nite.

Parking violations may be subject to a $150 fine.

The partnership must reinforce to downtown restaurant owners that all alcoholic beverages must be restricted to the licensed premises. No alcohol will be served outdoors other than to patrons who are seated in outdoor café licensed areas. No patrons will be permitted to leave any licensed premises with alcohol.

Each licensed restaurant must provide its own security to monitor and restrict patrons from leaving the premises with any alcohol in their hands.

The partnership will also be responsible for providing "greeters" at the entrance to the county parking lot from 3:30-6 p.m. on each Kruise Nite. The partnership will also be required to provide at least six volunteers to be on Main Street between 4:30-10 p.m. to direct and coordinate parking.

The partnership must provide a portable rest room in Gere Park on Throckmorton Street and a portable rest room one in the downtown area.

One resolution addresses police at Kruise Nite events and states that Freehold Borough will enter into agreements with the Freehold Township Police Department and the Monmouth County Sheriff 's Office to provide additional law enforcement personnel.

Freehold Borough Police Chief Mitch Roth will determine the number of extra officers that are needed.

Freehold Borough will pay $1,750 toward overtime costs for police personnel. The partnership will pay the balance of the overtime costs.

Borough officials and representatives of the partnership will meet within three working days of each Kruise Nite to assess the event and to discuss any changes that may need to be made. Freehold Borough officials retain the right to cancel the event if they believe it is necessary to do so.