By Esther McKenna
Strothman stepped into the shoes of Deputy Inspector Richard McCarrick, who took the reins at the Fourth Precinct on Monday. "I truly enjoyed working at the [First]," said McCarrick, who described his working relationship with leaders of the communities in the First Precinct as "very good." "I hope to develop those same positive relationships in my new command."
McCarrick earned the respect of fellow officers at the First, who were sorry to see him go after nearly four years. "McCarrick has been more of a partner to me in the many, many years we have worked together," said the precinct's commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Patrick O'Connor, who lavished praise on his former deputy inspector. "Richie deserves the [promotion]."
One of the last projects McCarrick oversaw in Baldwin was the study of high-frequency accident locations. "Richie looked very closely at traffic issues," said O'Connor. Under McCarrick's new program, accident-prone areas were identified, and a plan was created to minimize them and supervise task-force patrols. According to O'Connor, he instituted a zero-tolerance policy for offenses that contributed to accidents in high-frequency areas, including following cars too closely, speeding, passing red lights, talking on cell phones while driving and the misuse of seat belts.
"The new traffic [detail] was very successful under [McCarrick's] watch," said O'Connor. "I'm confident that Strothman will be able to pick up where he left off and be able to run with it."
Before working in the First Precinct, O'Connor worked with McCarrick in the Detective's Division, where McCarrick supervised all eight detective squads.
Strothman said he was looking forward to the challenge of his new command in what he called a "busy precinct." "There are a lot of good police [in the First Precinct]." Strothman graduated from the same class as his new commanding officer, who said he has every confidence in his new deputy inspector.
"I'm excited to have Richard Strothman coming in," said O'Connor. "He has a solid background in police work and experience in both precinct-type activities and headquarter-type programs."
Before working at the Fourth, Strothman was a captain in the Third Precinct, which covers areas in the middle of the county. Prior to that, he patrolled in helicopters and boats for the Marine Aviation Department.
One of the last projects Strothman was responsible for before leaving the Fourth was Operation Safe Stop. "Too many people were illegally passing stopped school buses and creating dangerous situations on Lido Boulevard [in Lido Beach]," he explained. Operation Safe Stop met its objectives of educating the public on school safety concerns and reducing accidents and incidents involving school buses.
Strothman takes on his new position at the First Precinct as he celebrates his 31st anniversary with the Nassau County Police Department.
The First Precinct encompasses Baldwin, Merrick, Bellmore, East Meadow, South Hempstead, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Wantagh and parts of North Bellmore and North Merrick. Detectives from the First also cover Rockville Centre and Freeport, which are patrolled by their own, private police forces.
The Fourth Precinct encompasses Oceanside, Island Park, East Rockaway, Atlantic and Lido Beaches, Point Lookout and the Five Towns.
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