Law enforcement increases presence at Ontario Beach Park as Memorial Day celebrations continue

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — While we had the sun Sunday, people were outside soaking it right up, including at Ontario Beach Park.

As Memorial Day weekend celebrations continued, that anticipated influx of people at beaches and parks started to show.

Earlier this week, News 8 spoke with Rochester Police officials who said they’d have an increased presence at Ontario Beach Park.

“Our job is to intervene as soon as we see conflict arise and, and with so many officers in the park, our hope is that we can identify any issues or concerns early and intervene before it becomes a major conflict,” Captain Nathan Cornell with RPD said Wednesday.

Sunday at Ontario Beach Park, News 8 saw some Monroe County Sheriff’s Office vehicles around the parking lot, as well as an AMR van. On the water, MCSO scuba teams in the water, ready to go for those on boats.

Some of the visitors of Ontario Beach Park said they felt safer knowing the area was secured. But their main message: to remind me who and why we’re celebrating this weekend.+

“When I came back from Vietnam in ’71, my buddies… I didn’t go to Vietnam but when my buddies came back, the one’s that didn’t, those are the true heroes,” Jerry Dunn said. “And that’s what Memorial Day is all about for the veterans who did not make it back.”

Joel Lomnick, a Veteran, spent the day with his family who’s visiting from Brooklyn. He and his family told me, they feel the meaning of Memorial Day has seemed to fall flat over the years.

“It’s lost. It’s more about cookouts, and not the importance of the day. You know, which is remembering those who have come and gone,” Lomnick said.

“Everyone stay focused on the meaning of the day, which is important,” A lot of people have given their time and their lives to serve and keep us safe. And we should respect that more on the day. If not all year,” Audrey Thornton said.

Memorial Day events are planned all throughout the region Monday to honor those who have fallen for our country. For a full list of times, click here .

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