Nassau County legislators reacted with a combination of curiosity and concern after County Executive Ed Mangano announced Monday that half the county’s eight police precincts would be converted into “community policing centers” under a reorganization plan.
Though the proposal wasn’t on the agenda of the first full meeting of Nassau Legislature the same day, it was on the lawmakers’ minds, particularly as the map showed that the First, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth precincts would no longer be full-service police precinct stationhouses.
advertisement
Newly elected Legis. Carrie’ Solanges (D-Elmont) was especially aggravated by the announcement because there’d been police reports of a shooting in his district that morning. The former Bronx assistant district attorney scoffed at the idea that “a community center” would adequately protect his constituents.
The county executive briefed both sides of the aisle after the legislative session adjourned. Under the proposal, the county would save an estimated $20 million annually while cutting 100 administrative jobs currently held by civilians and police officers.
Democratic Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead) criticized the plan in a statement to the Press.
“We need to take a closer look at the County Executive’s plan but the Democratic Caucus has been steadfast from the get-go that we are unequivocally against police precinct closings,” the statement said. “We need more police presence in our communities, not less.”
Chairman of the Nassau Legislature’s public safety committee, Legis. Dennis Dunne (R-Levittown), said he was initially “spitting fire” when he first heard of the closure of the Eighth Precinct in Farmingdale because it’s his local precinct where his 87-year-old mother also lives.
“A lot of emotions were going on,” he said.
But after listening to Mangano’s briefing Monday evening, he was more supportive because the police would be taking their arrests to another location.
“We’re losing an arrest house,” Dunne told the Press, but “we’re getting a more community friendly facility.” And he was assured that the police would maintain their presence on the street.
“I think we can live with this,” he said, adding he intends to find out more details. “The jury’s still out.”
Dunne said the earliest his legislative committee could hold a hearing on the proposal would be next Monday, Feb. 6, but that would depend on whether the proposal was filed by Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said through his spokeswoman that he hopes to bring the policing issue before the full legislature at their next full meeting on Feb. 27.
In the meantime, Dunne has asked the county executive and the new police commissioner to come to his neighborhood watch meeting at Division Avenue High School in Levittown, starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, which is open to the public. He said that both officials have pledged to coming or sending their senior staff if something comes up.
