In an effort to combat issues brought forward by residents and merchants along Savannah’s riverfront, Savannah-Chatham police have begun closing a portion of River Street nightly.
The eastern portion of River Street, starting from just behind City Hall, will close each night at 10:30 p.m., said Julian Miller, police spokesman.
Traffic in the area will be diverted up the Bull Street ramp to exit the area until River Street reopens each morning about 3 a.m.
Officers closed the roadway for the first time Friday and will continue the practice indefinitely.
The major issue, Miller said, is “cruising” by people in vehicles in the area who are playing excessively loud music and causing “other problems.”
Downtown Precinct commander Capt. Mike Wilkins ordered the action in hopes of ending those issues, Miller said.
Business owners in the area support the police’s idea, said Bill Dickinson, owner of Wet Willie’s and the current president of the Savannah Riverfront Association.
“It’s a good idea because you see it each night with a lot of people that are going through the area and hanging around and causing some problems,” he said.
In addition to the nightly road closures, Miller added, more officers will be placed in the area to enforce loud music restrictions and other offences.
They will also help motorists exit the River Street area and help determine how effectively the strategy is working.
It’s not the first time police have shut down portions of River Street. Miller said the tactic was used successfully in the mid-1990s after similar complaints in the area.
At that time, there were worries about road closures affecting business, Dickinson said.
“We were right dead center in the middle of the (closed area) and it didn’t affect our business at all,” he said. “It may even have helped, I think, because people felt a little safer.
“Anything that makes the area safer and more pleasant for everyone is certainly a good thing.”
Emergency responders, tour and taxi companies, and businesses in the area have already been notified of the changes, and road signs will be placed in the area to advise drivers of the restrictions, Miller said.
“While this action may be frustrating to a few, it is necessary to address issues in the Riverfront area to assure the safety of all,” Police Chief Willie Lovett said in a prepared statement.
“The increase in cruising, behavior of some of the occupants of the vehicles on the street and the number of pedestrians enjoying our Riverfront present opportunities for problems if we don’t address them.”