Gunshots at dawn Bay Park man holds neighborhood hostage

      The neighbors whose homes line the small, tight walk-through were jolted awake by the sound of shots being fired not far from their own front yards. Within minutes, Nassau County police officers and SWAT team members surrounded the neighborhood, evacuated families and secured the block in what appeared to be an unfolding hostage situation. Three hours later, James Savino, 48, was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment.
      As soon as my alarm went off at 5:10 a.m., I heard two shots, said a neighbor who declined to be identified. I ran to the window and saw my neighbor, Jimmy Savino, standing outside in his boxers and T-shirt holding a shotgun. He was ranting and raving and in a rage about something.
      Stunned by what he saw, the neighbor called the police department and reported the situation. When he returned to his front window, he watched Savino cock the gun and fire at least five more times.
      Responding to the 911 call, officers from the Fourth Precinct, as well as members of the Crisis Negotiation Team, the Bureau of Special Operations, the Emergency Service Unit and the Highway Patrol Bureau surrounded and secured the area. They were able to use the Nassau County Marine Police Headquarters, a block away, as their operating base.
      In just minutes our block was transformed into what looked like downtown Los Angeles, said a 20-year resident of the block. The street was full of officers knocking on doors, trying to evacuate people.
      Chris Padjus- parents live on the block, and she lives around the corner. When she heard the shots, she was immediately concerned for her parents- safety. My father is 91 years old and very frail, she said. The police actually climbed through my parents- window to warn them of the situation and make sure they stayed put.
      Reportedly, a woman who lives directly across from Savino was so shocked by what she saw that without thinking, she opened her front door and started asking him about his intentions. At that point Savino went back into his house, which was occupied by three adults, one of them reportedly his girlfriend. Savino-s young son was not home at the time.
      Officers from the Crisis Negotiation Team took control of the situation, talking with Savino, imploring him to surrender. He eventually did, three hours later, but not before terrorizing the usually quiet neighborhood.
      "We considered it a barricade situation, since no one was held against their will," said Detective Lt. Kevin Smith. "It was a coordinated effort between tactile, negotiations and precinct personnel to ensure the neighborhood was safe and to defuse the situation. We were able to go in and apprehend the shotgun, which you don't need a license for if you are over 18 years old."
      Savino was arrested and charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and prohibited use of a dangerous weapon. He was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead, but appeared without representation. The judge directed him to return to the court on April 26 with an attorney.
      According to the Nassau County District Attorney's public information officer, Rick Hinshaw, Savino was held on $5,000 bail. He posted $2,500 and was out before the weekend.
      The guy was back home the next day," said Padjus.
      After Savino returned, neighbors voiced concerns for their safety at a Bay Park Civic Association meeting a few days after the incident. Most residents were shocked that Savino had gone through the justice system so quickly. Indeed, on Friday, April 16, he was sitting on his stoop, sipping coffee.
      He can-t just get a slap on the wrist for this, said neighbor Ronnie West.