It’s that time of the year again, when the pace of Palm Beach throttles up another gear.
With a wave of returning residents, a new season brings galas and a vibrant social and restaurant scene. The town is full of delightful settings, from the sparkle of bright holiday lights around palm trees on the major roads to the glamour of world-class stores that make the island a shopping destination.
But those attractions have attracted many new residents and lots of visitors. Everyone, it seems, wants to be on the island. Once a small community reserved for a few, Palm Beach draws more and more people each season.
The town’s increasing popularity will bring moments that will try one’s patience, especially during the holidays. As everyone settles in for the good times, we urge residents to brace themselves for the challenges the coming months also will bring, including some likely bad behavior.
Topping the list of aggravations for many, of course, will be traffic headaches and the difficulty finding parking.
“We are going to monitor and mitigate traffic to the best of our ability and put all of our resources in place, taking into account that it’s season,” said spokesman Sgt. Michael Ogrodnick of the Palm Beach Police.
At times getting around will be difficult — especially when President Trump comes to town. His frequent visits to Mar-a-Lago require security measures that essentially cut the island in half when South Ocean Boulevard next to Mar-a-Lago closes to traffic between the Southern Boulevard traffic circle and the intersection with South County Road.
On top of that, increased redevelopment and renovation have created a constant stream of construction traffic.
There’s only so much space on a small island, but there’s an increasing number of cars, at times operated by drivers whose manners behind the wheel need improvement. Some drive too fast, or fail to signal, or just lack common courtesy. Others are visitors who are simply unfamiliar with local roads and make bad judgment calls. In those moments, it might be best to forget it and drive on to avoid incidents of road rage.
“We continue to ask for the community’s patience,” Ogrodnick said. “Understand that we are doing our best and getting everyone moving through the island as quickly as possible.”
But motorists need to be ready for the occasional surprise bridge opening, car accident or unexpected congestion that can lead to traffic tie-ups.
“That’s why we put our resources in place at high-traffic areas,” Ogrodnick said, noting that officers use drones to monitor traffic flow and ensure movement on and off the island is as seamless as possible.
People also need to watch out for moments of trouble at popular island gathering spots, the kind that can prompt Palm Beach Police to haul away offending patrons.
Residents and visitors alike want Palm Beach to be a slice of paradise. But that only happens when everyone is on their best behavior. When that doesn’t occur, a little patience might make the day go easier.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Town’s popularity may bring trouble, and require patience | Editorial
Reporting by Palm Beach Daily News Editorial Board, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
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