Legislator Abrahams to Mangano:

                            Your Budget Threatens Public Safety!

The Democratic Caucus of the Nassau County Legislature held a press conference on Oct. 24, at the County Police Headquarters in Mineola and called upon the County Executive to restore some of the drastic service cuts he has initiated as part of his 2012 budget. The administration made serious reductions in police protection. The elimination of the Heroin Task Force is particularly bothersome to the 8 member Democratic Caucus. The task force helped combat the growing menace of heroin addiction across Nassau County. Its members were responsible for 432 arrests in 2010. "It's simple. Less cops and less detectives mean the streets are less safe," said Minority Leader Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove). The POP program, the Motor Carrier Unit, the anti-gang unit, and the Marine bureau are a few examples of police services which have been or are about to be reduced.

Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead) said, “The Mangano Administration continues to play politics with public safety. His administration wastes millions of our tax dollars on frivolous law suits, hiring their friends despite a hiring freeze and granting lucrative contracts to politically connected firms. Now, the County Executive wants to close two unnamed precincts making residents feel less safe in the neighborhoods. His priorities need to be re-examined.”

Other police services which have serious problems that need attention are the aging fleet of patrol cars and ambulances, the 911 call center where calls are not always answered promptly and the K-9 unit. The Caucus would like to see the administration work to improve these services not threaten them.

Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin) added, “We are five days from a vote on the 2012 budget. It is totally unreasonable to believe that anyone would vote for a budget without providing us with details. Closing precincts cannot make any resident feel safe.”