By Andrew Hackmack
Everton Greene, who lives on South Waldinger Street a few houses down, said there are people constantly hanging out on the street adjacent to the dealership. The village installed no parking signs at the end of the block, but Greene said those are being ignored.
Only when a village code enforcement vehicle or police car comes down the street do the people leave, Greene noted. But when the authorities are gone, the people come right back. “It’s like a cat and mouse game,” he said.
Everton’s wife, Carol, said she is scared to even let her children outside to walk the dog because of the people hanging out on the street. “We’re not happy,” she said. “We’re not living safe.”
Village Clerk Vincent Ang said the village is taking this issue seriously, and he has asked both code enforcement and the police to step up patrols around the auto dealership. He said he has also personally talked to the owner of Kaz, telling him that he has asked the police to tow any vehicles parked in the no parking zone. “The police told me they will do that,” he said.
The Greenes, as well as neighbor Rafael Suriel say they have also had issues with cars racing down the road. “One day something serious is going to happen,” Suriel said, citing an incident in which he observed someone doing donuts in the middle of the residential street. He noted that he fears for the safety of his three young children, age 7 and 5-year-old twins.
Ang said that Kaz has a right to do business, but does agree that the activity around the place is excessive. “Any place you have residential abutting commercial, you have these situations,” he said. “You’ve got to be somewhat understanding. This [problem] is not unique to this area. We do everything we can to make it at least peaceful.”
Everton Greene said the neighborhood was peaceful until Kaz moved in about three years ago. “We’ve been living here 10 years,” he said. “We’ve seen dealers come and go but we’ve never had this.”
He said the situation also affects home values. “I wouldn’t buy a house if I saw those guys out there,” he said.
The owner of Kaz Automotive could not be reached for comment.
Residents of the street last appeared before the village board in May 2008. At that point, Omar Wilson, who identified himself as a manager of Kaz Automotive, said he would take care of any issues if homeowners came over and talked to him. Greene said all complaints have fallen on deaf ears.
Ang told residents that at this point they should not get involved in the situation, but instead call code enforcement whenever there is a problem. “If a neighbor calls, we’re down there right away,” he said.
Officer Linda Ferrara of the Nassau County Police Department’s 5th Precinct said people who have complaints should call the police –– either 911 or the station house –– and even if it’s not an emergency a patrol car will go down to the location.
The situation has improved since residents last came to the village board, Ang said, but acknowledges there are still issues. He said the village will remain diligent in its enforcement of the laws. “We’re going to keep the pressure on them,” he said.
