Police on the North Fork are asking the community to be patient as fall activities bring more crowds out east.

This time of year could be a double-edged sword for the community because of the traffic due to apple and pumpkin pickers.

For business owners, it's when they make the most money, but it's also difficult to get around because there are so many visitors on the road.

"This is an extremely important time of year for us," says Monica Harbes, co-owner of Harbes Family Farms, which has several location on the North Fork.

She says they are expecting a lot of people to come to their farms to pick apples.

Those who live on the North Fork sometimes choose to stay home for the weekend when things get busy.

Claudia Berry, of Mattituck, says they want the businesses to thrive but they also can't wait for the busy season to be over.

"We definitely don't go anywhere - we don't try to," Berry says. "Because it's very aggravating and literally traffic is stopped. It is stopped."

The Southold Police Department is providing traffic control during busy autumn weekends.

"To people that want to come visit, be respectful or patient," says Capt. James Ginas, of the Southold Police Department. "And to the residents, this unfortunately is the way it is now, and we have to learn to deal with it during these months and I just ask that everybody remain patient."

Ginas says he is expecting a record-setting autumn at the orchards, farm stands, vineyards and pumpkin patches.