Drug house in Lynbrook?

Visibly upset residents brought drug paraphernalia to Lynbrook Village Hall. They brought photos of what they believe is illegal activity on their streets, and talked of the smell of marijuana permeating their otherwise peaceful existence.

“There are definitely people living in their garage,” said a man who lives on Marion Street, referring to a home close to his. “They stagger out in the morning, urinate in the bushes and start to barbecue their breakfast.”

Sympathetic throughout, Mayor Brian Curran listened for two hours on Aug. 12 as worried homeowners and parents told of their fears that drug activity is still going on at a Marion Street residence that was under investigation last year. After that investigation, two arrests were made. “At this time, everything seems to be OK there,” said Lynbrook Police Chief Joseph Neve.

Curran pointed out that there was concrete information to go on last year, which culminated in the arrests. The Building Department examined the garage in question recently, he added, and found no evidence that anyone was living there. “It’s just being used for storage,” said department Superintendent Brian Stanton, who was met by gasps of disbelief from the audience.

One man begged to differ. “I can’t sleep because of the smell of pot coming from that garage,” he said. “It’s not being used for storage.”

Curran said that the house’s landlord, who does not live in the village, was warned after last year’s arrests. “We made sure he understood that his house is going to be inspected by the Building Department,” Curran said, adding that village and police officials made it clear to the homeowner that any more illegal activity would not be tolerated.

Neve said that if any of the same people were arrested again, the Nassau County forfeiture unit could attempt to seize the property. “He’s on notice,” he said of the homeowner. “We sent him a letter.”