Valley Stream site of police precinct showdown

Residents packed the American Legion Hall last week to learn more about Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s plan to turn the Police Department’s 5th Precinct, which serves Valley Stream, into a “community policing center.”

Many community members had questions about how this would affect public safety, while others disparaged the plan, which would merge the 5th Precinct in Elmont with the 4th in Hewlett. It would reduce the number of precincts in the county from eight to four, and is expected to save $20 million annually through the elimination of 100 administrative positions.

The Feb. 22 community forum, which lasted nearly two hours, was organized by Valley Stream resident Milagros Vicente along with Envision Valley Stream, a community interest group. Deputy Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter and Victor Politi, deputy county executive for public safety, represented the county. Statements were also made by Legislators Fran Becker and Carrié Solages, whose district includes the 5th Precinct, and Police Benevolent Association President James Carver.

Vicente, who opposes the plan, said that the community forum was a chance for people who work during the day to learn more and have their voices heard. “That was one of the things that really upset me,” she said, “that the administration did not take the time to have a forum like this.”

Carver, along with many residents, expressed concern about how fast county leaders were moving on Mangano’s plan, which was unveiled in late January. Initially, a vote by the full County Legislature was scheduled for Monday, but it was postponed.

Valley Stream resident Juarez Francis said that three to four weeks is not enough time to debate the issue. “When things move that quickly, it’s usually to hide something underneath it,” he said. “I think it does need to be slowed down; it does need to be examined.”

The effect on public safety appeared to be a major concern for residents. Marc Tenzer, president of the Mill Brook Civic Association, wanted to know if the three patrols that cover South Valley Stream would be affected, and what would become of the police substation at the Green Acres Mall.

County police officials said that under the plan, there would be no changes to patrols in the county. There would still be 177 cars out on the road at any given time, each covering the same post it does now. And the Green Acres substation, which processes 750 to 800 arrests per year, would remain.

Tenzer said that if the plan goes through, he hopes Valley Stream gets the same level of service. “The 5th Precinct does a great job — [there’s] not a better precinct in the county,” he said. “I hope the 4th is just as good.”

American Legion member and Valley Stream resident Ron Feltington had questions about safety in light of the recent rise in home burglaries. And Janice Francis said that the elimination of 100 administrative positions would mean more paperwork for patrol officers.

“They need support,” Francis said. “If the support staff isn’t there, they have to do things themselves. And if they have to do things themselves, they’re not in their cars. You cut back office, front office suffers.”

Krumpter assured residents that there is “excess administrative capacity” throughout the county Police Department that can handle the work of the 100 jobs that would be lost. He noted that each precinct has the same staffing model despite the fact that some are busier than others.

Krumpter said that the 5th Precinct is one of the three busiest in the county, along with the 1st, in Baldwin, and the 3rd, in East Williston.

“So then close the 4th,” Francis said, drawing a round of applause. “You just admitted that the 5th Precinct is doing more work. Why are you closing that one? Is it because it’s in our neighborhood? Close the one in Hewlett if they’re doing less work.”

Krumpter explained the rationale. To help deal with the county’s debt, he said, leaders decided to reorganize the police precincts. A new precinct is being formed that combines the boundaries of the 4th and 5th. With both headquarters in about the same condition, Krumpter said, the Hewlett facility was chosen because it is more centrally located in the new precinct — less than two blocks away from the southern border of the current 5th Precinct. “We looked at the entire geographical area,” he said.

Dean Losquadro, a 5th Precinct officer who has been on the beat since 1988, spoke out against the plan. While statistics show a drop in crime, he said, that reflects cuts in the Police Department. When there are fewer officers, there are fewer arrests and crime stats look better.

“Crime has gone up,” Losquadro said. “We need more police, not less.” He added that the 5th Precinct is one of the most active police stations in the county, with a large walk-in volume.

Under the county’s plan, two officers would remain on duty at the building at all times if it is converted into a community policing center. The rest of the facility would be used to house one of the Police Department’s special units.

The two legislators in attendance had different views. Solages, of Elmont, said he was opposed to the plan and would vote against it when it came to the full Legislature. Becker, meanwhile, said his mind was not yet made up, and he wanted to hear from members of the public. He said he recognized the county’s financial problems, but if he was ultimately convinced that the plan would jeopardize public safety, he would not vote for it. The vote is scheduled for Monday.