The cops were out in force in Montauk this weekend, prowling around the town’s sceniest spots ready to charge business owners “flouting” the reopening rules.
On Sunday, the Town of East Hampton — which oversees the oceanside village — touted its COVID “enforcement and compliance detail,” which it said had been roaming the area over the July Fourth weekend. It was made up of two cops and a fire marshal and went from business to business to make sure they were complying with New York State’s reopening plan.
The details slapped misdemeanor charges and violations on the owner of hip Rick’s Crabby Cowboy Cafe, Richard Gibbs; Ruschmeyer’s owner Vincenzo Lentini; and Jeffrey Capri, the manager of Nick’s on the Beach — though the bulk of those alleged violations weren’t related to COVID, and just happened to be turned up in the searches. According to the release, the charges were related to “signage and proper approved storage of alcohol.”
“Police officers documented numerous additional alleged violations at the three establishments, including some related to COVID-19 health and safety,” says the release.
East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc tells Page Six, “Our community sacrificed enough in order to stem the spread of the virus. We aren’t going to allow a few irresponsible night spots to ignite the next wave of infections and put our small hospital at risk of being overwhelmed at the height of the summer season.”
Soyac said he’ll be asking the State Liquor Authority to suspend the license of any business “that openly and repeatedly flouts COVID-19 safety regulations.”
But Capri tells us the violations at Nick’s on the Beach had nothing to do with COVID. “We had minor infraction of a [sign warning about the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant] that was folded over.” He said that an employee had taken their liquor license off the wall to do some repairs, and hadn’t put it back on. “That was it,” he insists to Page Six. “There was nothing about COVID.”
A rep for Ruschmeyer’s tells us the venue’s violations are “not COVID-related including obstruction of a mandated sign and a liquor storing technicality.”
A rep for Rick’s was not immediately available for comment.
The Hamptons are currently in Phase 3 of opening. Restaurants are limited to 50% capacity and guests must be seated 6 feet apart. Alcohol can be served only with food service.
East Hampton Town Chief of Police Michael Sarlo tells us, “Most businesses are working very hard to meet the [reopening] guidelines, and provide a safe atmosphere for their customers. There are a few who are pushing the limits, allowing unsafe conditions in violation of the approved capacity and seating plans, and the [rules about serving] alcohol to seated patrons.” He said his department had referred several of those businesses to the State Liquor Authority for “further enforcement action.” Asked what businesses he’s referring to, he said, “I can’t comment on the specific businesses … as the actions of the SLA are pending.”
The crackdown is part of an ongoing struggle for the Hamptons to protect residents from the usual summer influx of city dwellers and tourists. After Memorial Day, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman signed an emergency order temporarily closing all town beaches to day-trippers, after what he called a “hellish” weekend. Back in March the East End Mayors and Supervisors Association — representing all big towns out East — urged Gov. Cuomo to issue a travel ban on all non-urgent journeys to the East End.