Nassau Herald -- Oct. 29 - Nov. 4 issue

Faster response time than reported

To the Editor:

I’m writing in response to the Herald article titled "Asleep at the wheel" (Oct. 15-21), about an auto accident that occurred on Oct. 11 at 4:15 a.m. at 1060 Peninsula Blvd. in Woodmere. In the story, a resident described how he called 911 and the police arrived 10 minutes later. I have to dispute that. The original call to the Nassau County Police Department's 911 operator was at 4:17:46 a.m. At 4:19:39, the first NCPD unit arrived at the scene. That is a response of just under two minutes. These times are based on the 911 computerized tracking event chronology of calls for service.

In a crisis situation, many people can lose track of time and not recall precise time and spatial relations. This was an overturned automobile that hit a pole, and I feel that it is important for the residents of the 4th Precinct to know that the police responded as quickly as possible to that scene. The safety of our residents is paramount, and the members of this command pride themselves on responding to calls for service as quickly as possible.

Inspector Rick Capece, Commanding officer, 4th Precinct

Selling Number Six? You bet!

To the Editor:

According to state education law, a district may not sell a property until it has been vacant for a full year. Isn't it a curious thing that the Lawrence Board of Education is rushing to have the No. 6 School property appraised (“How much is No. 6 worth?” Oct. 22-28) at the bottom of the real estate market cycle? Magically, the appraisals will show up in March or April (at deep discounts), and letters of interest will arrive.

Think they're selling the property? You bet they are, and with no justification. Or is there? The more you denigrate the public-school system in District 15, the more insulated the private community becomes. First the Number 3 School was supposed to be a senior citizen center — how did that work out? Then they wanted the Number 5 School for a library and the Number 1 School for condos. Now the newest and best property in the system magically becomes in need of major repairs. Forget the district's own assessment only three years ago that rated it top-notch.