UPDATE: Bars Staggered Closing Time To Avoid Repeat of Last Year

[Editor's note: Update at 1:30 p.m. Thursday: Several persons said things went off without a hitch and crowds were orderly and under control.]

Police say additional patrols will be out during the holidays, including the night before Thanksgiving. And for good reason – to avoid last year's pre-Thanksgiving incident.

Last year's Thanksgiving Eve featured at last call. Hundreds of young adults flooded the street and police responded with a call for mutual aid, which drew dozens of police departments from various neighboring towns.

Some called it a disproportionate response according to a Ridgewood News article, though police said at the time it was necessary to make sure the situation did not become riotous. One person was injured in an altercation but police could not identify an actor in the crowd.

The two bars on Chestnut Street – and – volunteered to stagger their closing times this year, according to representatives of both establishments.

"We volunteered with Blend to do a staggered closing period so we don't end up with the same amount of people on the street at the same time," according to Office manager Hugh Cohen. The longtime manager said they have, as always, the proper amount of security staff in place and called last November's issues "an isolated incident."

"The Office will move people out a little earlier and [will be] followed by Blend," Blend owner Ed Sullivan said. Both will comply with the mandatory exit time of 2 a.m., he added. "We don't anticipate a problem this year," he said.

"We want everybody to leave safely, get home safely and enjoy the holidays," Cohen said.

Roving DWI patrols will also be set up, police say.

"We ask that drivers as well as pedestrians use caution while traveling or crossing the street," police said in a news release Tuesday. "Officers will be conducting pedestrian crossing details as we have in the past."

Police also recommend those leaving the home over the holidays leave lights or radios on, have newspapers and mail picked up or stopped and have a neighbor watch the home.

Those venturing to the mall should park "in well lit areas" and make sure packages are secured in the trunk or not visible from the outside, police said.