Al Costello: Lieutenant
Lt. Al Costello, who works for Public Safety in Patchogue, stands by his car in Patchogue. (Sept. 27, 2010) Credit: Newsday/Ed Betz
Name: Al Costello
Age: 58
Agency: Patchogue Office of Public Safety and Code Enforcement
Location: Patchogue
Job title: Lieutenant
Where Costello thinks his field is headed:
In 18 years with Patchogue's public safety office, Costello has seen his department grow from 16 officers in 1991 to 35 in 1996 and shrink to 17 now. He believes his position's duties - which include enforcing Patchogue's quality-of-life codes such as noise regulations - will always be a function of local government. Villages and hamlets need law enforcement and public safety workers to keep neighborhoods safe.
His division's new direction:
Costello said he expects it to expand because of a downtown building boom in Patchogue.
There's more foot traffic going on downtown in Patchogue than there was in the 1960s. I think they'll expand the public safety department, absolutely."
