By MIKE CAPUTO
Since Jan. 1, there have been a total of 21 residential burglaries reported in the East Meadow portion of the 1st Precinct, which includes areas south of Hempstead Turnpike. In northern East Meadow, Salisbury and into other parts of southern Westbury, the 3rd Precinct has reported at least eight residential burglaries since mid-January.
More than 50 concerned residents attended the Feb. 25 meeting of the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations, a session that was aimed at addressing recent crime patterns while also offering protection tips.
"I think there is a little fear out there," said Joseph Parisi, president of the community organization. "We felt it was important to get the information out. At least people are talking about it."
Within the 1st Precinct portion of East Meadow, police said 17 of the 21 residential burglaries since Jan. 1 occurred in homes without security alarms. Also, most of the incidents occurred during the day, and in houses where the homeowners were away on vacation.
"They do their homework," said Officer Ed Knox of the 1st Precinct.
During the CEMCO meeting, lawmakers and representatives from the Nassau County Police Department encouraged East Meadow residents to volunteer and establish their own Neighborhood Watch and Civilian Patrol programs. Civilian Patrol participants volunteer for hourly posts, where they drive through the community and report all suspicious activity to police. Neighborhood Watch, described by police as "passive observation," involves organized teams of neighbors - usually divided by blocks - who keep extra eyes out for suspicious activity while maintaining regular communication with authorities.
Even though Neighborhood Watch and Civilian Patrol already exists within the East Meadow school district community, it has not boasted fully active participation since the programs were launched 22 years ago - a period officials described as the last major burglary spree in the area.
"We are plagued again," said Nassau Legislator Norma Gonsalves, who helped establish the Civilian Patrol program in response to the previous spree in 1987.
Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes, whose district includes East Meadow and Salisbury, said burglaries are no longer "uncommon" in central Nassau. Hudes noted that residents of neighboring Levittown, another part of his district, are on high alert. Hundreds attended a similar community forum in Levittown earlier that week.
"Neighbors are going crazy and they are patrolling their own areas at this point," he said.
Increased crime in East Meadow, Salisbury and across Nassau is not only reflected in statistics for burglaries.
Salisbury residents have seen a steep rise in automobile thefts and break-ins that often result in loss of possessions like GPS devices and iPods. As of a Feb. 27 crime report, there have been a total of 33 car break-ins reported in Salisbury and nearby portions of Westbury since mid-January that resulted in vandalism or loss of property.
An increase in heroin usage among young people in Nassau County has also been identified as a major issue facing East Meadow and Salisbury residents. According to a report released on Feb. 18, police made seven recent arrests related to drug sale and possession within the East Meadow school district, and made 95 countywide as part of a Heroin Task Force anti-drug initiative known as "Operation Smackdown."
On Feb. 22, police arrested a charity worker in East Meadow and charged him with "endangering the welfare of children." The arrest was made in response to complaints from residents about an influx of door-to-door youth solicitors. Many residents, mostly in Salisbury, expressed fear that the solicitors were connected to burglaries and car break-ins, but police have denied the connection.
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Tips on how to keep the burglars away
Protect your home by discouraging intruders from making it their next target. Burglars are less likely to victimize a house that looks occupied or protected by a security system.
When on vacation or away from home:
- Put lights, a stereo system or a television on a timer to give the appearance that someone is home.
- Secure sliding glass doors with pins to prevent both horizontal and vertical movement.
- Don't stop your mail or newspaper deliveries: it signals that you're away. Instead, have a neighbor pick those items for you on a regular basis.
- Ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway to give your home the appearance that someone is there.
Keep yourself safe at home:
- Lock doors and windows when you're home alone. Forty percent of home invasions occur because a door or window was left unlocked.
- Look through your peephole viewer to see who is there before opening the door.
- Always request identification from salespeople or repairmen before you let them in your home.
- List only your first initial and last name in the phone book.
- Fix broken locks or windows and install deadbolts on doors leading outside.
- Replace all locks immediately after moving into a new home.
Safeguard valuables:
- Store high-value items such as jewelry, furs, and firearms in a small closet with a solid core door, a non-removable hinge and a deadbolt lock.
- Keep important papers, jewelry and large amounts of cash in a safe deposit box.
- Engrave your valuables with your driver's license or social security number.
- Keep gift-wrapped packages hidden from outside view.
- When you purchase new electronic equipment, do not "advertise it." Break down cartons before discarding.
Tips provided by the Nassau County Police Department
