Police gearing up for a new kind of SummerFest BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer BRICK TOWNSHIP - This year's SummerFest will be a test case for Brick police, because it features new acts bound to attract all kinds of people. The police department downsized the number of officers at SummerFest over the past several years, ever since the number of events was reduced, Police Capt. Douglas J. Kinney said. Kinney is captain of the patrol division. "There wasn't a need for us to have police officers all over the place," he said. While Kinney declined to release the number of officers who will be assigned to SummerFest duty, he did say the regular 4-to-midnight shift will remain fully staffed during the nights of the shows. The majority of SummerFest problems in the past have been Brick juveniles who attend the event without parental supervision and the "occasional" adult problem, he said. No alcohol beverages are permitted at SummerFest. Offenses are primarily underage drinking, disorderly conduct and the occasional fight, Kinney said. "They used to bring their boom boxes and play their music," he said. "But over the course of the years, we've been able to establish a pretty good rapport with the kids. If they want to hang out in groups, they need to do so on the beach. We are constantly keeping them moving. Over the last five years, we have really turned that problem around." As many as 15,000 people have attended a SummerFest event, especially on fireworks nights, he said. "The kids that are there now know what we expect from them and they have been compliant," Kinney said. And sometimes the weather, not unruly patrons, can be the problem. Police had to cancel two concerts and a fireworks display one night back in 2004. Two men were shocked by a bolt of lightning that struck a nearby tree during a violent rainstorm. Most of the SummerFest attendees this year will have to get there by shuttle buses provided by the township, since parking space at Windward Beach is limited. The buses will pick up people at Drum Point School on Drum Point Road, Midstreams Elementary School on Midstreams Road and at the old Foodtown parking lot on Route 70. Bus runs will start at 5 p.m. and run continuously until 8 p.m. Return bus trips from Windward Beach begin at 9 p.m. Any child 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult to take the shuttle bus.