Enlisting the public’s help

Looking to squelch a small crime problem before it becomes worse, the villages of Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck and Woodsburgh are planning to launch a program called Call to Quell next month.
Based on the “See something, say something” law enforcement campaign, the program seeks to enlist the help of the villages’ residents, and even contractors who work in the communities, encouraging them to call the police if they see suspicious activity.
“It’s a way for the community to get involved and respond to crime,” said Woodsburgh Mayor Lee Israel, who is organizing the program with fellow mayors Mark Weiss of Hewlett Harbor, Steve Kaufman of Hewlett Bay Park and Ross Epstein of Hewlett Neck. “There has been a recent flurry of burglaries that must be addressed,” Israel added.
On Oct. 8, a Hewlett Harbor man came home to find several of his possessions inside a car that didn’t belong to him and a man inside his house. When the burglar saw the homeowner, he fled the house, removed all of the stolen items from the car, left them on the sidewalk and drove away. Torrey Wells, 24, of Woodmere, was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary, operating an unregistered vehicle, operating an uninsured vehicle and having an obstructed license.
On Nov. 23, a Hewlett Neck woman was injured when she confronted a man in her Woodmere Boulevard home who stole some of her possessions and fled.

“We want to get a jump on stopping [crime] before it really starts,” Weiss said, explaining why the mayors are creating the program, and why they invited 4th Precinct police officers to speak to residents at the Woodmere Club on Dec. 4. “Crime fighting is a participatory sport. We want to make [the criminals] aware that people are watching.”
Through November, the four villages have had seven burglaries this year, according to Sgt. Nicholas Stillman, who was one of four officers, including Inspector Joseph Barbieri, the precinct’s commanding officer, who spoke at the meeting.
The police provided tips for homeowners on how to secure their homes, and explained how they patrol the communities. Up to six police cars from different units regularly drive through the villages, the officers said. They also use license plate readers to check on vehicles that are not from the area, Stillman said.
Officer Robert Chimienti encouraged residents to call 911 to report any incidents. “This allows us to track crime and find patterns,” he said, adding that the precinct’s running club routinely runs through the villages, which helps them keep an eye on the area. “If you have a gut feeling it doesn’t seem right, call 911.”
Hewlett Harbor resident Dr. Leslie Fine, who has lived in the village for 18 years, praised the forum. “It was very helpful,” he said. “It verified some things and was reassuring. There were lots of tips.”

Have an opinion about this topic? Send your letter to the editor to jbessen@liherald.com.

 Police tips for better security

 Be a good witness — call 911.
 Know the addresses of the residences to the left and right and in back and in front of your home.
 If a streetlight is out, report it to the precinct and the appropriate government entity.
 Keep your home alarm keypad away from the front door.
 Use motion detectors.
 Keep lights on when you’re not home.
 Keep your car keys by the bed. If you hear something, use you vehicle alarm as a deterrent.
 Don’t keep valuables in your vehicles.
 Watch for broken glass, which could be a sign that someone tried to break in.
 Don’t let newspapers and mail pile up when you’re away. Have a neighbor collect them.
 Don’t hide a house key outside.
 Don’t hire handymen off the street. They could be taking mental notes on your possessions.