An affluent island has encountered a police occupancy controversy. Fishers Island, a private retreat reachable solely by boat, has been thrown into turmoil amid allegations that local law enforcement has unlawfully occupied a property for months.

The Fishers Island Ferry District has filed a $2 million lawsuit claiming that, since Southold police took over policing duties in November, officers have forcibly entered a home on 357 Whistler Ave., used crowbars, and evicted ferry workers residing there. The suit asserts these actions are a severe breach of property laws and resemble a form of wrongful eviction unseen in the country for over two centuries.

The dispute originated after Southold’s police force replaced state police at the island’s precinct, which was vacated in 2023. Due to inadequate facilities, town officials suggested the ferry district’s property—nearby—as a temporary police station. However, the Ferry District objects, citing prior renovations and permits for staff housing on the property.

Despite the ferry district’s rejection of the takeover, the town’s board voted on December 17 to revoke its control without legal grounds cited and proceeded to forcibly occupy the house on New Year’s Day, according to the lawsuit. The district claims police have been living illegally on the property for over five months, allegedly threatening arrests of anyone attempting to evict them.

The lawsuit alleges that police forcibly expelled the Ferry District staff and have been illegally residing on the property for over five months, with reports of threats to arrest anyone attempting to remove them. The Ferry District is now seeking a court order to oust the officers, claiming the occupation violates constitutional rights and filing a claim for $2 million in damages.

Meanwhile, efforts continue to address the situation, with legal proceedings scheduled for June 25 in Suffolk Supreme Court. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over property rights and law enforcement authority on the private island.