Cops talk shop in East Meadow

East Meadowites flocked to a Fire Department stationhouse last week to ask Nassau County Police Department leaders about crime trends in their community at a public safety forum and prescription drug drop-off event hosted by County Legislator Norma Gonsalves.

Gonsalves, the presiding officer of the County Legislature and an East Meadowite herself, welcomed residents of communities across her district to what she described as an educational program on April 20. Chief of Patrol Frank Kirby spoke about department-wide safety initiatives, and the commanding officers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th precincts offered crime statistics from their posts and tips for residents to keep their homes secure.

“The more we communicate, the better off we’re going to be,” Gonsalves said. “I’ve been working with the Police Department for over 30 years — that’s a long time. Things have changed over the years, but it seems like we all have to use our eyes and ears for the Police Department.”

One way residents can get involved in what Kirby described as the public safety mission is by calling 911 if they see any suspicious activity, like someone acting strangely in a local business or unknown cars parked for extended periods of time. County Executive Ed Mangano also recently launched Smart 911 — a public safety service that Kirby said is designed to enhance 911 operations and streamline planning and response times.

According to a county press release distributed at the forum, Smart 911 allows residents to create a free safety profile for their household at www.smart911.com with information useful to 911 dispatchers in an emergency. Details can include the names and photos of all family members, medical conditions, allergies, pets and emergency contacts.