By AMANDA HOFFMANN
�Safety is a basic fundamental need, and comes before food, shelter and everything else,� said Laura Hasset, vice president of the Island Park Civic Association, who went on to say that she believes Nassau County�s 4th Precinct � which covers Island Park, Oceanside, Lido Beach, Point Lookout, Atlantic Beach, Bay Park, East Rockaway, Hewlett, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Neck, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Inwood and Lawrence � should assign more than one of its 24 patrol cars to Island Park at all times.
Deputy County Executive Frank Ryan explained, �The assignment [of patrol cars] is based on true need and crime statistics," which he said is compared with available departmental resources. "We are not minimizing that you don�t want to lock your door. The bottom line is that we will take back your suggestion for another car.�
Hasset said that she calls 911 and hides behind cars to see if police stop and question what she is doing as suspicious behavior. �I�m like Nancy Drew,� she said. �We had one car in the �70s, [but] the nature of crime has changed. We want more than one car here.�
Residents angrily recounted perceived slights by the precinct, from calls made years ago that were handled rudely to complaints about break-ins and noise that were ignored by responding officers. County Police Deputy Inspector Kenneth Hettler, who is also the deputy commanding officer of the 4th Precinct, tried to respond several times, but was interrupted by shouts from the audience.
Aside from complaints about teens blasting music and ignoring stop signs, residents also questioned why so many officers are assigned to regulate the clubs and bars in the Barnum Island section of Island Park, instead of patrolling the entire area. Hettler explained that the club detail comprises up to 10 officers, who are assigned to that area in order to maintain order as patrons leave the clubs. He pointed out that there were 31 DWI arrests in Island Park in 2008, which was met by snickering from the audience. One attendee shouted that there should be at least that many in a single weekend, especially with 10 officers on the scene.
County Legislator Denise Ford tried to calm the audience, explaining that the forum should be an opportunity for people to listen to one another and voice their concerns so that some of these issues can be resolved. �I want to listen so we can move in a more positive way,� Ford said. �We can�t bring back the past when you didn�t have to lock your doors, but maybe we can make some changes so that by this time next year you can be a happier group of people.�
Civic Association President Patti Ambrosia raised concerns about the noise from the Barnum Island clubs. She said her complaints about noise have not been taken seriously by the department, and she wants the clubs to be ticketed for playing music after 11 p.m.
Hettler responded that the department has been working with the Town of Hempstead, which has advanced noise meters to measure the music coming from clubs, but because of the nature of the area � which has ambient noise from businesses and traffic � it�s difficult to get readings.
He was quickly interrupted. �I want justice, not excuses,� said Ambrosia.
�Patti, you have to understand, this is a two-way street,� said Ryan. �The matter will be investigated. We understand and share your frustration, but you have to let the inspector respond.�
Hettler suggested that noise complaints be called in directly to 911, which would enable the department to keep better statistics on those calls.
John Vitale, who owns the Bridgeview catering hall, the Warehouse club and nearby restaurants Paddy McGees and Coyote Grill and attended the meeting, said the following day that he has taken measures to keep the noise to a minimum to mitigate complaints by residents whose property borders the industrially zoned area. �We try to always keep the music contained in our property line,� said Vitale. �Some neighbors have my phone number directly and they call me if they think the music gets loud. I have my own meter and do decibel checks.�
At the meeting residents calmed down when the 4th Precinct�s commanding officer, Inspector John Capece � who took over the job on June 15 � stepped up to address their concerns. Capece explained that while there is one patrol car assigned to Island Park, if that car responds to another area, another car heads to Island Park temporarily so it is not left without any coverage. As for assigning another car permanently, he said that he has to look at all his resources before determining any restructuring.
�You want your neighborhood to be safe,� said Capece. �Sometimes you are frustrated and angry, and if you come up to someone that way, you get that back ... We are trying to help you, and if you are all just negative and angry and screaming, it�s hard to help you.�
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