Public Safety Forum 3.21.2017

Meeting on public safety, as sponsored by County Legislator Steve Rhoads, 3.21.2017, at Tackapausha Preserve auditorium.

Present: Steve Rhoads; Commanding Officer of the 7th Precinct, Thomas Corona; Police Officer William Taylor, Problem Oriented Policing, 7th Precinct; an assistant from Rhoads’ office; and six members of the public, including Lisa and Richard Schary. Some of my notes here may be erroneous jottings; they can be corrected.

One purpose of the meeting was to listen to views of citizens discussing where local problems lay. No single topic overwhelmed the discussion.

With the coming of warmer weather, supervision in two preserves, Massapequa and Tackapausha, was discussed. Rowdy youth gatherings and illegal drinking tend to happen off the path that police vehicles can patrol, but the patrols will continue. The police helicopter staff may use new infrared cameras to locate such gatherings in the woods.

There was a discussion of solicitors canvassing neighborhoods, with the possibility that some may cover for acts of burglary. The police will respond promptly to 911 calls regarding such observations of questionable cars or activities. You may ask that the officer not call at your house. The P.O.P. officers work at solving repeated problem situations; for immediate coverage, please use 911. One attendee remarked how Facebook chatter will continue on a long thread about something going on at that time, but too seldom does the poster phone 911 to get an immediate observation by police. Because a 911 call is assigned an incident number, it also leads to a deposition, a statement of the result generated by the call.

There was a discussion of drivers speeding in their effort to catch a morning train, the speed adding danger to the streets and lots near Jackson Avenue.

There was a discussion of NCPD marine patrols, with one boat for the north shore and one for the south, covering from Rockaway to Amityville. Other agencies, such as bay constables and the Coast Guard help, but the Coast Guard coverage may suffer cutbacks.
Several of those present discussed automobile safety issues at Morris Gate. When people park illegally in the striped area on Sunrise Highway west of Morris Gate, drivers exiting the Gate find their vision of fast-moving traffic obstructed. Likewise, at various times, the Gate is crowded with cars awaiting service. The precinct commander reported that ticketing cured some problems on Locust Avenue and that the manager of the dealership has been cooperative with trying to keep Morris Gate and Sunrise Highway clear. (I presume the cooperative dealer was Merrick Dodge. Massapequa Nissan does generate some problems, but not as severely.)
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There was a discussion of dioxins in water supplies. On this topic and other topics, Mr. Rhoads displayed an admirable grasp of the science and research.

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Two more Public Safety Community Forums are listed on Mr. Rhoads’ website linked HERE, in Wantagh April 4th and in Merrick April 27th. I urge attendance. Our opinions were respected, and our questions were answered directly, without dodging. Many thanks to the policemen and Mr. Rhoads!

LIRR Forum 9.29.2015

On September 29, 2015, County Legislator Steven Rhoads hosted a public forum in the Wantagh High School auditorium, the topic being the Long Island Railroad and its service to the stations between Freeport and Seaford.  About twenty residents attended the meeting.  The panel consisted of Mr. Rhoads, Robert Brennan (spokesman for the LIRR), Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, a MTA sergeant, the town head of traffic control, and another aide.  Thankfully, the meeting did not turn political, let's-blame-the-other-party.  Instead, most of the questions, the arguments, and the rudeness was directed at Mr. Brennan, who was too often interrupted as he tried to answer. I also interrupted him when I asked him to clarify in which month the renovation of the Wantagh platforms would begin.  The answer was next March or April, at the earliest.
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The meeting lasted from 7:15 p.m. until 8:45.  Each panel member stayed later for any further conversation. Councilwoman King Sweeney deserves praise for her willingness to look further into the questions raised about parking.  One resident complained that some parking spots east of Oakland Avenue seem to be permanently occupied or used by nearby commerce.  Only the parking directly under the trestle is administered by the LIRR.  The two spaces reserved for railroad personnel are needed by those conductors who are instructed to begin their run at Wantagh.
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The most time-consuming topic was pigeon dirt.  Mr. Brennan explained that the station is power-washed monthly.  The Federal Railroad Administration requires periodic inspections of girders and rivets and that the girders cannot be enclosed. Other topics discussed at length were the presence of homeless people, personal safety, aggressive begging, and at least one incident of physical threat. One resident demanded 24/7 presence of police at the station. The sergeant emphasized that charges are hindered when the victim refuses to give a statement. Both the MTA police and Nassau County police have jurisdiction at the station.  The county police can be reached directly at 911.  The MTA police can be reached through the menu at 511. I note that in previous forums, Dave Denenberg emphasized that a call to the 7th Precinct delays action because the call has to be forwarded to 911. Also, a call to 911 begins a record trail that will later show the results of follow-up action.
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A man presented Mr. Brennan with large photographs of duct tape used in repairs at the Merrick elevator.
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The renovation of the Wantagh station platforms in the budget includes also a new escalator and an elevator.  A business owner from Railroad Avenue expressed worry about loss to her business if Railroad Avenue is closed during the renovation.  I note that the high-tension lines are on the north side of the tracks, so the crane removing and replacing the canopies and platform slabs would probably have to work from the south side, as was done recently at Massapequa.
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The photo linked here looks west at Wantagh, showing the Beech Street crossing about 1967.  However, I have difficulty identifying the buildings.