Voting Monday on Nassau police precinct plan

After more than a month of intense public debate, the Nassau Legislature is expected to vote Monday on County Executive Edward Mangano's controversial plan to downsize four of Nassau's eight precincts -- the most sweeping change to the department's structure in its 87-year history.

The political debate, which has been fought in community meetings across the county and through television and radio ads, mailings and robocalls to residents, comes as the county faces a $310 million deficit. Supporters of the plan say the realignment would save Nassau $20 million, but opponents warn it would compromise public safety.

Mangano's proposal would turn four precinct buildings, including two of Nassau's busiest, into what the county executive calls "community policing centers." They would be staffed around the clock by two officers.

All 10 members of the Republican majority on the 19-member legislature are expected to be present and vote, including Joseph Belesi (R-Farmingdale), said a spokeswoman for Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa).

Belesi was hospitalized last Monday for heart problems, prompting Schmitt to put off last week's scheduled vote on the precinct plan. With all nine Democrats in opposition, Schmitt did not have enough votes for approval without Belesi's.

Eyes on possible swing vote

Republican spokeswoman Cristina Brennan said last week that Belesi asked her to say he would be present Monday and would vote on the plan. Belesi would not discuss how he plans to vote, she said.

Two other Republican lawmakers who had questioned the plan said last week that the administration addressed their concerns and that they expected to vote for approval.

Brennan said Schmitt will call for a vote on the precinct plan even if Democrats block an incentive program intended to encourage higher-paid officers to retire. Unless nearly 90 veteran officers retire, the county would have to lay off a greater number of rookies to achieve the same savings.

Belesi is a retired police sergeant and a former member of the board of the Superior Officers Association. The SOA as well as the Police Benevolent Association and Detectives' Association oppose the precinct plan.

Schmitt, who says he has the votes for passage, said of Belesi: "It's been a troublesome vote for him. There is a lot of anguish."

Since introducing the proposal in January, Mangano has been in a pitched battle with the police unions and legislative Democrats.

Mangano said he would cut about 100 administrative jobs, including about 90 held by police officers, to save as much as $20 million a year. Democrats dispute the amount of savings, saying Mangano has not counted the cost of borrowing to pay for police severance or for necessary renovations to police headquarters and precinct houses.

Mangano also said he would reassign 48 desk cops to "problem-oriented policing" duties; Democrats say those officers would be the ones stationed at the community policing centers and wouldn't be on the streets.

The administration contends the same number of patrols will remain in the same neighborhoods; police unions say response times will increase and remaining precinct houses will be overcrowded.

Lines drawn over details

Police union leaders and the legislature's Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) have been talking to key Mangano aides during the past week, trying to negotiate an increase in police staffing at the community centers, which would not process arrests or handle administrative paperwork.

But Mangano said Friday he did not expect to make any significant changes to the proposal before the vote.

Without a deal, Democratic spokesman Michael Florio said Democrats would not give Republicans the 13 votes needed to put the retirement incentive before the legislature Monday or allow the county to borrow to pay for the buyouts.

"We envision a rush to the eleventh hour," Abrahams said. "We remain confident that at the end of the day, working with unions and the county executive, we will work toward a resolution that won't jeopardize public safety but will save taxpayer money."

Mangano and Schmitt aides said any decision to increase staff at the downsized precincts would not require legislative approval.

Mangano said his office will explain to the legislature that special units will be deployed to each community center. He said he has no problem with detectives locating themselves at policing centers, but that it would be a management decision. The SOA has asked that desk lieutenants be stationed at the centers.

Legis. Denise Ford, the Long Beach Republican who expressed the most reservations about the precinct plan three weeks ago, said Friday she was "dumbfounded" by the Democrats' stance on the incentive. "I hope the Democrats vote for it," she said. "Why would they want to lay off cops?"

Although Ford said she wanted to avoid layoffs, she was "definitely leaning toward" voting for the precinct plan because the county needs to save money.

With Robert Brodsky

Proposal to realign Nassau police precincts

WHAT SUPPORTERS SAY

Saves Nassau County $20 million a year by cutting 100 administrative positions through a voluntary retirement incentive and attrition.

Improves public safety by reassigning 48 officers from desk jobs to neighborhood crime prevention.

Needs fewer precincts because high-tech equipment make police vehicles mobile commands.

Continues to have the same 177 police cars patrol Nassau at all times.

WHAT OPPONENTS SAY

Inflates savings, depending on higher-paid officers taking the retirement incentive, and requires the county to borrow to pay severance costs.

Doesn't increase police officers on patrol because the 48 crime prevention officers would be moved to desk jobs at community policing centers.

Changes level of police attention to communities because commanding officers would be responsible for more neighborhoods, schools and civic associations.

Could increase response times for emergency calls because police officers are on assignment miles away.

Compiled by Robert Brodsky