By Jonann Brady and Anthony Rifilato
The letter brings up a number of concerns, including the dismantling and reinstatement of the First Precinct's gang unit; the contention that the county's Night Watch Program, which sends probation officers on surprise visits to parolees, has been scrapped; and acts of gang activity and violence in certain parts of Baldwin, notably neighborhoods near Seaman Avenue.
The letter, which was forwarded to the Herald by a Baldwin resident who declined to be identified, states that "gang members have been hanging out at the Corner Store on Seaman Avenue and Pine Street," and alleges that there is a house "on Carelton Place between Tennyson and Seaman Avenues, where a number of gang members and other kids have been hanging out at all hours of the day and night."
In e-mails to the Herald, this resident also said that neighbors have reported a drive-by shooting on Pine Street, as well as roving bands of young people in the neighborhood.
Both Dept. Inspector Rich McCarrick and Capt. Thomas Hayes say that no drive-by shootings were reported in the area, and though they have received calls from concerned residents and investigated the area, no arrests have been made.
"There have been youths hanging out, but they have no known gang affiliation," said Hayes. While Hayes acknowledged there are gang members in Baldwin, he said that people can't automatically assume that because kids are in a group, they are gang members. "Kids have been hanging out from time immemorial," he said.
In several visits to the neighborhood, a Herald reporter talked to residents, all of whom asked not to be named, who confirmed that people in their teens and 20s congregate in the neighborhood, and sometimes become rowdy, but doubted they were gang members.
"I think it's just a bunch of kids hanging out," said one man.
A local store owner, who also didn't want his name used, said that kids frequently loiter outside his store, smoking marijuana and drinking liquor, some of them from outside Baldwin. Three weeks ago, he said his front window was smashed and someone had thrown eggs at the store.
"When they gather outside I tell them to leave," he said. "Sometimes we call the cops, but [the police] come and go."
Police say they issue appearance tickets if they discover people drinking in public or other illegal behavior, but as McCarrick said, "People have a right to assemble."
Kids on the street
On a recent Thursday evening, a Herald reporter spent time near the Corner Store on Seaman Avenue, where about a dozen young people, both black and white, came and went, buying drinks from the store, talking in small groups and then moving on. Several youths acknowledged they hang out in the area, but vehemently denied that they or other young people there were in gangs.
Shawn Allen, a 19-year-old Baldwin High School graduate who was a starting tailback and free safety on the football team, said, "There are no gangs over here." Recently, Allen said, he scored 79 out of 99 on the ASVAB, a test for the armed services, and will be going to the Air Force soon.
"We don't feel like sitting in the house on a hot day," Allen said outside the Corner Deli as a friend came outside with a soda.
Though these kids may not be saints, some have themselves been victims of violence, such as one 18-year-old on Seaman Avenue who was shot in the face on Grand Avenue in April. The gunshot victim said he was an innocent bystander in the incident and doesn't know who shot him.
All of the young people there said that the fear of gangs was exaggerated, and several say they feel harassed by the police.
Jeremiah Castro, a 19-year-old Baldwin High graduate, said he was stopped by police several weeks ago while walking his dog on Pine Street, for no apparent reason other than the way he looked, he said.
"Police can't harass kids just because of the way they dress," he said. Last Thursday, Castro wore a red bandanna on his forehead, a white tank top and baggy jeans. He lives on Hart Street, works in construction, and speaks intelligently. He said he is not in a gang and just likes to socialize with his friends in the neighborhood.
Twenty-two-year-old Omar, wearing a dark blue Yankees cap, white T-shirt and baggy jeans, has been living in Baldwin for the past five years and graduated from Baldwin High. Omar, who works in a print shop and asked that his last name not be used, also said that he was harassed by police two years ago on Grand Avenue. He was walking with a purple wrist exerciser and said a police officer pulled a gun on him because he didn't know what it was.
"There are no gang members on this block," Omar said as his friends nodded in agreement. Both Omar and Jeremiah said any concerns about quality of life and steering younger kids away from gangs should be addressed through youth programs and community involvement. Both also said police and residents should give kids the benefit of the doubt.
"Baldwin is not bad, but the community has to have more communication with the kids," Omar said. "If you want Baldwin to be good, get involved. I don't see people putting money in for youth services."
County responds
County officials say that while gang problems are a concern throughout Nassau, they have taken steps to address the issue, including the creation of the Task Force Against Gangs last year.
A spokesperson for Suozzi's office, David Chauvin, said that Legislator Joe Scannell, Suozzi and members of the police department meet monthly to go over First Precinct crime reports. Scannell added that his office receives a daily crime report from the First, and said that he brings members of the precinct to community meetings to answer questions and hear feedback from residents.
Members of the First Precinct also said that, contrary to the letter's claims, the precinct's gang unit has remained fully functional. Lt. Rick Capese, who was in charge of the community policing unit, was promoted to captain of the Third Precinct in April, but community-oriented policing staff has not been cut.
Capt. Hayes of the First Precinct also said that the Night Watch Program has not been dismantled, though the staff has been cut.
As for the letters the county executive has received, Chauvin said, "We're grateful people reach out to us.... It's a concern, and a growing issue that we're addressing."
But some of the young people see the letters as something more insidious -- a result of stereotyping and racism.
"People see what they want," Omar said. "I'm not a bad guy. I'm doing the right thing. If you spread rumors, what's going to happen is the cops are going to think this is a bad area. It's out of proportion."
The resident who forwarded the letter to the Herald did not respond to requests for further comments.
