Solages steps down from Nassau Police event

National Night Out to take place on Aug. 1

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Nassau County Leg. Carrie Solages, who was accused of assaulting his girlfriend in June, has decided to withdraw his participation in Nassau Police's event, National Night Out, on Aug. 1 at the Fifth Precinct on Dutch Broadway in Elmont.

His decision to drop out came from pressure from the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women, who said that it didn't make sense for him to help sponsor the event, considering the accusation.

"As we've said, it would have been inappropriate for someone recently arrested for domestic violence to join an event celebrating the very police department that made the arrest. We're pleased that National Night Out events around the area can now continue without distraction," said Sonia Ossorio, president of the National Organization for Women - New York. 

Solages responded by stating that he's had the pleasure of sponsoring National Night Out over the past several years, as it's a worthwhile community event that promotes police-community partnerships.

"It has come to my attention that a group from outside of our community has manufactured opposition to this year's event because of my sponsorship," he wrote in a statement. "I have voluntarily made the decision to withdraw my sponsorship in order for the police and the community to enjoy the event without unnecessary distractions."

National Night Out is a yearly event devoted to community building. It promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances, according to the event's website.

Millions participate in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas celebrates on the first Tuesday in October), according to the organization. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and exhibits promoting community togetherness. 

At the time of the June 21 incident, Nassau Police spokesman Lt. Richard LeBrun said that it was "a verbal altercation that escalated to a physical altercation."

According to police, Solages, 38, and his girlfriend argued inside her Valley Stream apartment over a bag of marijuana she refused to give him. Lebrun said that Solages made "several verbal threats" against the woman, whom police declined to identify. Authorities said that Solages grabbed her by the left forearm and neck.

The woman's 15-year-old daughter woke up and tried to intercede, police said. Solages then threw trash around the kitchen, according to officials. The woman called police at 12:45 a.m. Officers in the area responded, and Solages was arrested a short time after he left the apartment.

The woman was treated for scratches to her forearm and a sore neck by a police department medic, authorities said.

Solages represents the 3rd Legislative District, which comprises Elmont, Valley Stream, South Floral Park, Inwood and parts of Lawrence and North Woodmere.

Claudine Hall, the president of the Jamaica Square Improvement League and lifelong Elmont resident, said that she was hoping he wouldn't participate.
"Violence against women is a serious, serious problem,' she said. "I'm not in support of him because I'm a woman." 

Pat Nicolosi, an Elmont resident since the 1960s, said that it would be good for police to work with the community to continue hosting the event, without Solages' input.

"The community event held every year here in Elmont on August 1 has been great for children and everyone to mingle and meet our officers and at the same time learn and enjoy," he said in an email. "Mr. Solages is the problem, not our police. Men who act like this are unfit to serve and should seek the needed help for anger and drugs."     

Jeff Bessen contributed to this story.