30 Jun THANK YOU OFFICER RICHARD PRATTI

For over a decade, Officer Richard Pratti has been a familiar and trusted presence on Main Street in Woodbourne, managing traffic and building strong connections with the community during its busiest months. As he approaches his 39th year in law enforcement, Officer Pratti’s dedication to safety and his warm rapport with both locals and summer visitors truly stand out.

In this exclusive interview with The Country Vues’ Ari Hirsch, Officer Pratti shares his thoughts on traffic, parking challenges, his favorite kosher food in Woodbourne, and what it’s like to serve in a growing seasonal town.

How many years have you been working on Main Street in Woodbourne?
Eleven years.
And how long have you been an officer?
I’ll be starting my thirty-ninth year this July.
You’re mainly directing traffic on weekends, right? Is that your schedule all summer?
Usually, I work Thursday through Sunday—those are our busiest days.
What do you enjoy most about working in Woodbourne?
I really enjoy working with the people and the strong relationship I have with the community.
Do most people treat you respectfully and follow the laws?

Absolutely. I have very few issues.

How do you see the parking situation in town, especially with the upcoming bridge construction?
Parking is definitely a big issue. There’s really no perfect solution because the town wasn’t designed for this many people. Once the bridge construction begins, it’s going to be even more
difficult. Next summer is going to be extremely challenging.

What are the busiest weekends of the summer?
Visiting Day weekends are probably the most heavily trafficked.
How’s your Hebrew and Yiddish coming along?
I’m learning—slowly.
What do you think about Rabbi Jungreis from the Woodbourne Shul?
He’s great—I love him. Always smiling and very friendly to everyone.
How do you feel about kosher food?
I love it.
Favorite kosher food?
Knishes.
Have you tried cholent?
Yes! I get it from the meat store for Shabbos—I love it.
Favorite food at Citrus Café?
Salmon. Eli Lederman is a really great guy!

At Dougie’s?
Pretzel chicken.
At J2 Pizza?
His knishes—they’re very good.
Gombo’s Bakery?
Everything! I like it all.
Café Chocolat?
Heaven in a cup.

Is there anyone else you’d like to give a shoutout to?
The Woodbourne Supermarket—now called Zest—is great to me. Anything I need, they take care of me and always keep me hydrated.
Do you have any advice for summer visitors dealing with traffic?
Just be patient. It’s tough. Honestly, I have more issues with locals than with visitors because there’s very little patience. People have been dealing with this for years, and there are alternate routes—especially for locals—but they still come through here and act aggressively. It’s hard to explain.
Is it legal to make a U-turn in Woodbourne?
No—it’s illegal to cross a double yellow line.
So what’s the right way to turn around?
The safest way is to go through Woodbourne to a place like the firehouse, make a safe U-turn there, and then come back.
Is there anything you’d like to share with The Country Vues readers?
Nothing I can think of—Baruch Hashem.
And finally, what’s your favorite weekly newspaper?
That’s not even a question—The Country Vues, of course!!