The proposed four precincts under a map released by County Executive Ed Mangano (click to enlarge).
An argument erupted Monday between Democratic and Republican Nassau County legislators, who abruptly recessed the first committee meeting on a controversial plan to turn half of the Nassau County Police Department’s eight precincts into “community policing centers.”
Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick) demanded Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Dale tell him how shedding 100 administrative jobs jobs under the plan equates to $20 million in savings when public safety committee chairman Legis. Dennis Dunne Sr. (R-Levittown) closed the meeting without a vote. Dale, who sat for initial confirmation hearings in the same meeting, said he could answer the question next Monday at the first scheduled public hearing on the precinct realignment plan.
“I cannot support your appointment,” Legis. Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin) told Dale before the committee approved the new top cop 4-3 along party lines in the GOP-controlled chamber. “People’s lives in Nassau County are at stake,” Scannell said. “It’s completely unfair.”
The chamber was packed with police officers and civic leaders who had protested against the plan outside the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building before the meeting. About 20 testified against downgrading the First Precinct in Baldwin, Fifth Precinct in Elmont, Sixth Precinct in Manhasset and Eighth Precinct in Levittown.
Dale had maintained that public safety will not be compromised and the plan will put 48 police officers back on the streets to supplement the 177 patrols that will remain intact. County Executive Ed Mangano, who proposed the plan last week, has been making the case to the public in robocalls and at community meetings with Dale and staff.
“I don’t consider it a precinct closure,” Dale told Scannell. “It’s a realigning of the precincts.”
James Carver, president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents patrol officers, urged the lawmakers to fully vet the proposal before allowing it to go before the full legislature for a vote.
“Something this important should not be voted on in haste,” Caver said.
County Executive Ed Mangano characterized Democratic and PBA criticism as scare tactics.
“In order to change the status quo, Nassau legislators must stand up to the special interests groups,” Mangano said in a statement, adding that he would have to raise taxes 19 percent to fill a $300 million budget gap this year.
“During this economic time, scare tactics are a property tax increase,” Carver said in response to Mangano’s statement while airing his union’s concerns before the committee.
Barbara Reynolds of Elmont remained worried about the plan’s impact on her neighborhood despite Dale’s assurances.
“Losing our Fifth Precinct will not be a safe endeavor for our community,” she said.
-With Spencer Rumsey
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