No Jones Beach July 4 fireworks -- again

The July Fourth fireworks at Jones Beach are not only canceled for the second year, it's unlikely the event will return unless the state trains more park police officers, officials say.

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation says it has lost so many officers to other agencies and retirements that it no longer can safely hold the display presented for 15 years.

"We didn't have it last year because of the public safety concern, and that's still the issue this year," parks spokesman Dan Keefe said. He added the issue will not be resolved until there is an academy class to train additional officers -- the only way to add officers to the force. "There's no decision at this point" about holding an academy for the first time since 2008.

In the interim, the parks agency is talking to the Department of Environmental Conservation about having its officers patrol parks to augment the parks police. "We are having conversations with DEC," Keefe said. "We have worked with them in the past on special events and joint training, and we are looking for ways to share additional services."

There are now 231 parks officers statewide, including 56 on Long Island. Last year the totals were 248 and 60, and two years ago 304 and 80. The number of park police and rangers on the Island was 117 in 2004.

DEC statewide has 254 enforcement officers with 28 on the Island. It also has 115 rangers, including five on the Island.

"Their numbers are only slightly better than ours, so I don't know how effective it's going to be," said Troy Caupain, president of Local 2796, the New York State Parks Police Officers Union.

Keefe said that for the Memorial Day weekend air show at Jones Beach and most other events, the agency can shift officers from other regions or get help from other police forces. But July 4 "is the busiest weekend of the year . . . so there's no way to redistribute."

"We are at our lowest point ever for police staffing," Caupain said. "It's an absolute crisis situation."

Assemb. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket), chairman of Government Operations Committee, says an academy class has been in limbo in part because of uncertainty over whether the parks agency might be merged into the DEC. Now that it appears unlikely, he said an academy class may be approved.

"They cannot continue the way they have been," Englebright said, "because they're going to have a catastrophe."