The PBA distorts the record

I have called on PBA President Jim Carver to stop his juvenile advertising campaign that is filled with scare tactics and half-truths.

Recently, the PBA was caught red-handed, distorting facts on television, radio, mobile advertising trucks and even in our newspapers.

It’s a shame that Carver is bringing dishonor to the Nassau County police force by attempting to scare the public by distributing misleading propaganda. I assure residents that they can trust the average police officer; however, they can’t trust Carver’s PBA to tell the truth. The fact is that Nassau County has a well-respected and skilled police force staffed by many dedicated members. I have supported the force with technological advancements and enforcement initiatives that have led to increased arrests. Rather than waste his members’ dues on a dishonest media campaign, Carver should negotiate to save jobs and protect taxpayers.

Here are the “full truths” to address Carver’s PBA distortions and half-truths:

Half-truth No. 1: “Since [Mangano] took office, he cut DWI units.” (Source: PBA television ad.)

Full truth: I added 500 additional hours of DWI patrols. Carver espouses a program that had 4,500 hours of DWI enforcement. My program has 5,000 hours of enforcement. For example, I increased enforcement and use of resources during the Labor Day weekend, when a total of 36 additional enforcement units were deployed and costs were mitigated via grants.

Half-truth No. 2: Burglaries “skyrocketed” by 46 percent during the same 28-day reporting period as last year (Aug. 10-Sept. 11). Robberies are also on the rise, increasing 23 percent during the same period. (Source: PBA press release issued Sept. 19.)

Full truth: Crime is down 7 percent year to date. It is sad that the PBA chose to manipulate statistics that include anomalies during Hurricane Irene — where, for example, two convenience store burglaries occurred. Nassau County has such a low crime rate that anomalies spike percentages.

Half-truth No. 3: “The Ed Mangano way … jeopardizing your safety to pay for political patronage.” (Source: PBA mobile advertising trucks.)