Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro spoke about the recent rash of car break-ins at the village board of trustees meeting last Thursday night. Several cars, many of which have been unlocked, have been broken into and valuable items such as GPS devices, radios and phones have been stolen.
“The police tell us that many of the cars that have been broken into have been parked on the street in front of peoples’ residences and they have been unlocked or with the windows down,” said Cavallaro. “This is an unfortunate thing that usually happens during the summer months. If it’s not graffiti related issues it is cars being broken into.”
Cavallaro recommended residents park their cars in their driveways at all times and if they see someone suspicious near their vehicles, to call 911 or the Village’s Code Enforcement hotline.
“If you have something of value in your car do not leave it in plain sight for passers-by to see and keep your vehicles locked and with the windows up at all times,” he advised.
At the meeting, the board continued talking about a proposed law regarding the planting of bamboo or other invasive plants on private and public property.
“Last month we opened a hearing on this proposed local law but the board had some concerns on the scope of the proposal,” said Cavallaro.
Cavallaro said that before making a decision he wanted to gather input from local residents including the village’s arborist, Frank Suppa and horticulturist, Chris Hobbs.
From the input gleaned, the bamboo species in the village was found to be in the “running bamboo” category which means it is an invasive plant that spreads rapidly.
Village Attorney Dwight Kraemer said that the local proposed law will have a “limited requirement on the containment of bamboo on a person’s property as long as it does not encroach on other people’s property.”
The bamboo can be maintained on a property whether it is placed in a container or by other means.
Kraemer said that if a resident does not comply with the village’s regulations on the containment of bamboo that they will be subject to penalties including summonses. In addition if the homeowner fails to remove encroaching bamboo after receiving a summons, a possible lien would be taken out on their home in order to cover the village’s cost for removal of the plant.
The next village board meeting is Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall.
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