Three or four years ago, three citizens showed up for an informative community meeting presented by the 7th precinct in the Tackapausha auditorium. On July 28, 2010, some 22 or 23 people showed up for a likewise informative meeting at the Merrick Library, perhaps because the North Merrick Community Association spread the word.
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For an accurate account of the meeting, please see Merrick Patch. The reporter deserves compliments.
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POP officers from the first and seventh precincts made brief presentations and gave clear, non-evasive answers to many questions from the audience. POP means problem-oriented-policing. Major concerns were about drug sales, theft from cars, and nighttime rowdyism and vandalism on school grounds.
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I was struck by the importance and usefulness of phoning 911 rather than the precinct. Only 911 can respond with a car. The 911 department also keeps records of every call and every follow-up. That is, one may later inquire what the follow-up was. Immediately after each call to 911 is received, it is assigned a priority, but all receive attention and leave a record.
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As with the less-attended meeting at Tackapausha, I came away grateful for the work of the Nassau County Police.
