Dems seek to deny Mangano precinct funds

Nassau Democrats want to deny County Executive Edward Mangano millions of dollars in funding earmarked for a new First Precinct in Baldwin -- a move that could complicate efforts to reorganize the county's eight police precincts.

In 2009, the legislature approved borrowing $14.9 million to replace the dilapidated precinct house with a new three-story building. But last month, Mangano announced that four precincts, including the First, would be downgraded to community policing centers staffed by two officers around the clock.

Mangano plans to build a one-story police building in Baldwin for less than $5 million, and is considering using the remaining funds to build or renovate the other three community policing centers.

Democrats say the funding can only be used for a new First Precinct, and are threatening to sue to stop Mangano from tapping the money.

The fight comes as the county legislature prepares to vote Monday on the precinct plan, which Mangano claims would save $20 million a year through the elimination of more than 100 administrative jobs. Opponents say the proposal jeopardizes public safety and will lead to longer response times.

Deputy County Executive Rob Walker said Democrats were using the funding issue to obstruct the precinct overhaul.

"The Democrats will stop at nothing, including fear mongering," Walker said. "This is just another roadblock they are trying to put in our way."

But Democratic Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) said the issue is strictly about misuse of bond funds, and denied using it to stop the precinct plan.

"Their plan has so many flaws and has not been thought out," Abrahams said of the precinct overhaul. "And they are trying to use us as a scapegoat."

Legis. David Denenberg, (D-Merrick) said the administration wants to use the First Precinct funds to avoid the prospect of having to return to the legislature for more borrowing for the community policing centers. The county needs a supermajority of 13 votes, including three Democrats, to bond. Democrats, who oppose the precinct reorganization plan, will not authorize that borrowing, Denenberg said.

"They are trying to do an end run around the taxpayer and legislative approval," he said.

The original borrowing authorization for the First Precinct does not specify where the funds must be spent. The money went into a capital fund for precinct "renovation and modernization," where it was mixed with other previously approved funds, Walker said.

The county has since tapped some of those funds for other precinct projects and $10.7 million now remains for the First Precinct, he said. Nassau has a total of $14.4 million available for new precinct construction and $3 million for renovations -- all of which could be used for community policing centers, officials said.

Other than the First Precinct, the three buildings envisioned as community policing centers -- Elmont's Fifth Precinct, Manhasset's Sixth Precinct and Levittown's Eighth Precinct -- are in stable condition and may need only minor renovations to be used as community centers, Walker said. The county also could choose to use the existing buildings without additional renovations, officials said.