Mangano Calls on PBA President to Stop Scare Tactics
Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today called upon PBA President Jim Carver to stop his juvenile advertising campaign that is filled with scare tactics and half-truths. Recently, Jim Carver’s PBA was caught red-handed distorting facts on television, radio, mobile advertising trucks and in a press release.
“It’s a shame that PBA President Jim Carver is bringing dishonor to the Nassau County police force by attempting to scare the public by distributing misleading propaganda. I assure residents they can trust the average police officer; however, they can’t trust Jim Carver’s PBA to tell the truth,” said County Executive Mangano. “The fact is that Nassau County has a well-respected and skilled police force staffed by many dedicated members. I have supported the force with technological advancements and enforcement initiatives that have led to increased arrests. Rather than waste his members’ dues on a dishonest media campaign, Jim Carver should negotiate to save jobs and protect taxpayers.”
Fact Check
County Executive Mangano offers the “Full Truth” to address Jim Carver’s PBA distortions and half-truths:
| Half Truth #1: | “Since he took office, he cut DWI units.” - Source: PBA Television Ad.
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| Full Truth: | Mangano added 500 additional hours of DWI patrols. Jim Carver espouses a program that had 4,500 hours of DWI enforcement. Mangano’s program has 5,000 hours of DWI enforcement. For example, Mangano increased enforcement and use of resources during the Labor Day weekend where a total of 36 additional enforcement units were deployed and costs were mitigated via grants |
| Half Truth #2: | “Burglaries have sky rocketed up by 46% covering the same 28 day reporting period as last year (August 10- September 11). In addition *Robberies are also on the rise, going up 23% during the same time period.” – Source: PBA Press Release Issued on 9/19/11. |
| Full Truth: | Crime is down 7% year to date. It is sad that the PBA chose to manipulate statistics that include anomalies during Hurricane Irene where, for example, two convenience store burglaries occurred. Nassau has such a low crime rate that anomalies spike percentages. |
| Half Truth #3: | “The Ed Mangano way…jeopardizing your safety to pay for political patronage.” - Source: PBA Mobile Advertising Trucks. |
| Full Truth: | Ed Mangano has increased public safety by assigning 49 additional officers to patrol since 2009. There is the same number of posts today as there were in 2009. In fact, crime is down 7% year-to-date. Mangano has reduced patronage over 110 positions, saving taxpayers $14 million annually. Furthermore, the County Executive’s Office operates with a budget of $1 million less than the prior County Executive. Jim Carver is simply worried about losing his PBA President position should his members receive less overtime pay. Why else would he oppose a plan that places more cops on the streets? |
| Half Truth #4: | “…he continues to create new and fill vacant patronage jobs.” - Source: PBA Radio Ad. |
| Full Truth: | County Executive Mangano’s 2012 Budget actually eliminates appointed positions. Since taking office, County Executive Mangano has saved taxpayers $14 million annually by cutting over 110 appointed positions added to government by his predecessor. The County Executive’s Office is operating with a budget of $1 million less than the prior County Executive. |
| Half Truth #5: | “The police department has 350 fewer police officers today than it had three years ago, causing overtime to increase.” – Source: Jim Carver Op-Ed in Newsday, 9/20/11. |
| Full Truth: | There are 49 more officers on patrol and less officers sitting behind desks. There is the same number of posts today as there were in 2009. Increases in overtime are not attributable to workforce reductions; however, they are attributable to significant increases in sick and other time taken off by members of the force. This has resulted in significant increases in contractually guaranteed overtime – costing taxpayers millions of dollars. |
In these tough economic times, the PBA is trying to exempt itself from being part of the solution to Nassau’s fiscal issues. Surely, there is room to assist the County - as PBA members earn six-figure salaries, receive free health insurance, work 3 days per week and get 61 paid days off a year. County Executive Mangano has been honest with the police force by seeking concessions. They should at least be honest with residents about his record of insuring public safety.
