Fighting for public safety

In the battle over whether or not to close four Nassau County Police precincts, one woman has practically become a household name, at the least in the Valley Stream area.

Milagros Vicente, who has lived in North Valley Stream for the past five years, has taken on a leadership role in recent weeks. She organized a rally outside of the 5th Precinct in Elmont and a community forum at the American Legion hall in Valley Stream, the latter of which was attended by upwards of 200 people.

“I just decided to get involved on my own,” Vicente said. “I’ve always been a person to speak out on what I feel.”

In late January, County Executive Ed Mangano announced a plan that would restructure the police precincts, turning four of the eight into community policing centers to reduce 100 administrative jobs and save $20 million annually. Under the plan, which was approved by the County Legislature on Monday, the 5th Precinct would be merged with the 4th Precinct and be based in Hewlett.

Vicente said when the plan first was made public, she didn’t know too much about it. But she wanted to learned more. She walked from her home to the 5th Precinct to attend a press conference organized by county legislators and police officials who were opposed to the plan. She went to Elmont Library to hear about the plan from Mangano’s representatives. And on Super Bowl Sunday, Vicente went around her neighborhood and collected nearly 80 signatures from fellow community members who were against closing the 5th Precinct, which serves Valley Stream.

Early last month, she attended a hearing at the county Legislative chambers, but after waiting several hours to speak, she finally had to leave before getting her chance at the microphone. At a second hearing, however, she got her time and presented the Legislature with a petition signed by more than 750 people against the plan. And on Monday, she was there again with hundreds more signatures. Overall, she got about 2,500 people to sign her petition.

On Feb. 11, Vicente organized a rally in front of the 5th Precinct on Dutch Broadway, where she was joined by about two dozen other people opposed to turning the building into a lightly staffed community policing center. Then came her big moment on Feb. 22. Vicente organized a community forum at the American Legion to allow residents to hear about the plan, express their concerns and ask questions. The deputy police commissioner and deputy county executive spoke on behalf of Mangano. Legislators Carrié Solages, whose district includes the 5th Precinct building, and Francis Becker spoke. PBA President James Carver was there along with more than 150 residents, village officials, police officers and crossing guards.

Vicente partnered with local community interest group Envision Valley Stream to host the event. Despite the good feedback she has received, Vicente is admittedly disappointed, especially after handing out more than 1,000 fliers promoting the forum. “I was expecting more people,” she said. “Honestly, I really would have preferred more people because this issue is so important.”

Vicente, though she personally hasn’t had an experience where she has needed the police, values the local precinct. She said there was a home invasion on her street just two doors down, and the quick response from police officers helped lead to the arrest of the suspects. And the recent fatal home invasion on Dana Avenue in North Valley Stream also hits close to home, she said.

“We are lucky enough to have great police officers,” she said. “If we send them to Hewlett, that response time will not be there.”

Vicente also wants to keep the community safe for her children. She has two sons, a 23-year-old and a 14-year-old who attends Memorial Junior High School, as well as a 5-year-old daughter who will attend kindergarten at Howell Road School in September.

She sees herself staying in Valley Stream a long time. “I love the community,” she said. “I love my neighbors. The people are so friendly here.”

She has worked as an immigration paralegal and was a partnership specialist for the United States Census, educating the community about the 2010 population study.

Solages, who also is opposed to the precinct reorganization plan, praised the recent advocacy efforts of Vicente. “I commend her for taking a lead role,” he said. “She had gone the distance on this issue.”

The county legislator described Vicente’s leadership efforts as “contagious,” and said that she ran an amazing, grassroots effort to try and get the public’s voice heard by the county administration.

Vicente said that being surrounded by so many other people who care about this issue has made her advocacy efforts easier. And her belief that public safety is a right for all citizens is what kept her fighting. “I didn’t think it was going to get this big,” she said. “I’m glad it has.”