Residential burglaries are on the rise

Burglaries are increasing in the East Meadow and Salisbury communities. Residential burglaries are up 34 percent this year in the Nassau County Police Department’s 1st Precinct and 8 percent in the 3rd Precinct. Residential burglaries in the 3rd Precinct were up more than 28 percent in November compared with the same month last year.

“Every year in the fall you start to hear a little bit more,” said Helen Meittinis, a member of the Civilian Patrol and the president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue. Meittinis said she recently noticed an increase in attempted and successful burglaries.

“There aren’t sufficient patrols available,” said a 47-year East Meadow Fire Department volunteer, Dick Cardozo. “We need more police.”

“We are now down to 2,380 [Nassau County police officers], and there have been units that have had significant decreases in manpower,” said James Carver, Nassau County Police Benevolent Association president.

While the county had budgeted to hire an additional 40 police officers, Carver said that the County Legislature’s Rules Committee voted to eliminate the funding on Monday. “We’re doing a great job out here, but every day there are more resources being taken away from the Police Department,” he said. The NCPD has not hired anyone since September 2008.

“You’re seeing a moment in Nassau County history where budget restraints are severely hampering what the Police Department can do,” Carver added. “I think it is going to get worse.”

“It’s really important for everyone to be vigilant,” said Mindy Perlish, who has lived in the community since 1979 and is a past president of the Community Association of Stewart Avenue. “We’re going through terrible economic times, and people get desperate. There aren’t enough jobs, and people need money.”

Perlish said her home was once broken into. An intruder entered through the back door and stole costume jewelry. “I can’t tell you how violated you feel,” she said. “It takes you a while to get over that terrible feeling.”

More recently, she said, a friend nearby had items stolen from her car while it was parked in her driveway. The woman accidently left the door unlocked.

Meittinis said she, too, knows a woman who was recently victimized. A burglar tried to enter her home while she was there. “Thankfully, she acted quickly and knew what to do,” said Meittinis. The culprit was apprehended.

“If you see something, say something,” Meittinis added. “I can’t say it enough.”

According to Carver, burglars are not currently targeting specific homes or businesses, but Cardozo said that people who own businesses and bring cash home have been targets in the past.

“It’s time to not mind your own business,” Meittinis suggested. “Look around. Pick up newspapers, trash cans. I just put more security lights up. Some people I know put up security cameras. I’m thinking about doing that.”

“Just take the basic precautions and hope for the best,” added Cardozo.

According to Carver, the County Legislature will vote on police funding when it meets on Dec. 19.