Two Nassau County police precinct station houses that were downgraded to community centers under a controversial consolidation plan seven years ago are being reopened, officials announced Thursday.
The two precincts being reopened are the Sixth Precinct in Manhasset and the Eighth Precinct in Levittown, which will once again be fully operational on April 9 and 10, respectively.
“Our precincts are a vital part of Nassau’s unique police-community connection,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “These newly-renovated and properly-staffed precincts are a key part of our comprehensive effort to strengthen community policing in Nassau.”
The police department, with legislative approval, planned to cut the number of precincts from eight to four in 2012, but police put the brakes on the plan before consolidating the last two — the First Precinct in Baldwin and the Seventh Precinct in Seaford — after Superstorm Sandy.
The Fifth Precinct in Elmont reopened in 2015. The opening of the Sixth and Eighth precincts marks a return to all eight precincts and full reversal of the consolidation.
Curran and police officials said the goal of reopening the precincts is to enhance the county’s community policing initiative to prevent crime and address quality-of-life issues.
“This brings back the community policing model to the local communities,” said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. “We have heard many times over the years that our residents repeatedly wanted their precincts back open and this is now a reality.”
In addition to restoring staff and services to the two restored station houses, the proactive Problem-Oriented Policing officers — cops that focus on quality-of-life issues in addition to typical patrol duties — will once again report to the precincts.
The Manhasset station house is also slated for an estimated $800,000 renovation to the HVAC system, lobby upgrades, and other improvements throughout the building. Commanders and officers will work from a mobile unit next to the building until repairs are completed in October, officials said.
