County inks deal for 1st Precinct

Nassau County officials announced Oct. 2 that they have signed a lease with a longtime Baldwin landlord to build a new 1st Precinct headquarters in the Rosen Shopping Center off Grand Avenue. The deal comes after months of negotiations between the county and the landlord.

Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin), who announced in late March that he had his sights set on the Rosen Shopping Center for the new precinct but did not have a signed lease, said he was thrilled by the news and is looking forward to seeing the precinct's new digs.

"It's locked and loaded," Scannell said of the deal. "This lease guarantees that a cornerstone of the Baldwin community will remain on Grand Avenue for generations to come. I'm very proud of having played an integral role in keeping the precinct at home."

Bert Marrero, president of the Baldwin Neighborhood Watch and an outspoken supporter of the shopping center location, shared similar sentiments.

"I'm elated," Marrero said. "People in the neighborhood just can't wait for the precinct to be built, and they're still waiting for the renovation of Grand Avenue, so hopefully the 1st Precinct is a step in the right direction."

Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey said the new facility will give 1st Precinct police additional resources not available at their current location — more working space for staff, additional parking and a larger prisoner processing area. The new headquarters will also have a small gym and locker area, which Mulvey said is important so that officers can stay healthy and in shape.

"The 1st Precinct is really something that needs a new home — it's aged and we've outgrown it," he said. "The new facility is designed for our needs as well as those of the community. It's a big lift for [police] morale."