The 102nd United States Open (US Open) Golf Championship is coming to Bethpage State Park's famed Black Course, one of five golf courses at the park, this June. With attendance estimates nearing 60,000 spectators, some residents have expressed concern regarding security and traffic issues on local roads. Village and school officials are assuring residents that there is no need for concern, stressing that plans for the event are all under control.

With such a large turnout expected, local officials are taking measures to make sure security will be adequate and resident safety is the highest priority. During the week of the Open, scheduled for June 10 through 16, some local roads are going to be closed to allow for buses and other vehicles, including security personnel, to have easy access to and from the park.

Some of the roads scheduled to be closed down include Round Swamp Road and Bethpage Road, with some streets leading to those roads to be temporarily made "one way" streets for the time of the Open. Other possible street closings are still in discussion. According to Farmingdale Village Mayor Joseph Trudden, "No Parking" signs will be placed on those roads along with signs depicting them as tow-away zones, but local residents who live on those streets will be given parking permits for that week. The mayor added that residents will be sent a newsletter closer to the date of the Open, explaining what to expect and where they will be permitted to park the week of the event.

All eight precincts in Nassau County are expected to aid in the security and patrolling of the area, as are some members of upstate police departments, the Highway Patrol and other security agencies.

"Security will be tight," assured Trudden. At recent meetings of the Farmingdale Board of Education, some residents have expressed concern over security at Northside Elementary School, due to the school's proximity to a park entrance.

"Nassau County Police have assured me that Northside will not be a problem," Trudden said. At recent school board meetings, Superintendent Dr. Roberta Gerold also assured parents that the safety of the children who attend the school is the number one priority and that she and other district officials have been in meetings with security personnel, during which they have been guaranteed that the situation will be under control.

With 11,000 cars parked at Jones Beach and 2,000 parked at SUNY Farmingdale, all spectators who will board buses from those locations, as well as Farmingdale's railroad station, will be checked and, if necessary, searched prior to being allowed into the park.

To help ease the congestion of spectators coming in and out of the park, Trudden said that no parking will be allowed at the park itself, in addition to outer roads. All spectators will be brought in by train or bus. Parking will be available at Jones Beach, with shuttle buses bringing spectators to and from the course; at SUNY Farmingdale, where buses will also be available and at the Farmingdale train station. In addition, a cut is currently being made in the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway (recently renamed the Ralph Marino Expressway) for a road leading directly to the course.

Trudden said that local businesses in Farmingdale are preparing for more business than general, but noted that many spectators will be getting their food and snacks at the park, and will head home after the events. He noted, however, that while the village is anticipating more traffic than usual, officials are confident it will not be anything they can't handle.

The mayor added that residents need not be alarmed, and that while the week may pose minor inconveniences to local residents, all precautionary measures are being taken.

"Everybody's up to speed," Trudden said. "Everything is taken care of. We've been in active meetings for the last two years. Safety is our number one concern; we just want to make sure that everyone can get in and out safely and the residents are all protected."