Residents applaud return of gang officers

Advocates and residents in gang-ravaged areas of Suffolk County were receptive to the county's plan to fight street crime .

Dolores Thompson, a longtime community activist who is co-chairwoman of a town committee working to improve Huntington Station, stood with others beside Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Tuesday as he announced the redeployment of anti-gang officers to local precincts. She said Bellone was "on the right road" in bringing more resources to the community.

"We need all of you to work together," Thompson said. "We cannot stop. This is our community. We love it and we want it back."

Bellone and the other public officials had gathered for the announcement just around the block from the Lincoln Farms Apartments, a housing complex where three young men were shot in gang-related incident Nov. 27.

Anthony Dublar, a 52-year-old taxi driver who lives there, said many residents feel threatened by gang members who seem to be out in the open around the complex.

"You run into them right in the parking lot here," Dublar said. "What they [elected officials and police] are doing is inadequate and at least 10 years too late. We need a lot more officers and some sweeps around here."

The Rev. Fermín Trejo, pastor of an evangelical church that houses the Porter-Trejo Action Network advocacy group in Huntington Station, said officers can learn a lot about gangs from a local effort.

"We welcome them," Trejo said. "It makes sense for the anti-gang officers to see what we see and hear what we have to say."

Some said the county made a mistake when it centralized its anti-gang efforts at Yaphank police headquarters in 2009.

"As a former law enforcement officer, I can tell you firsthand that in order for a gang unit to be effective it has to be in the precinct and in communication with the patrol officers," said Assemb. Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood).

That sentiment was echoed by others, who say that fighting the spread of gangs is one of the most critical issues the new county executive faces.

"It's a life-and-death situation," said Lenny Tucker, president of the Brentwood Association of Concerned Citizens.

However, Tucker said that for the new strategy to work communities like Brentwood, Central Islip, Huntington Station and Wyandanch -- where gang activity has been a problem -- should get more patrols than others.

"We need officers who know these areas, who know the demographics, who know their allies in the community, so they can focus their efforts the right way," Tucker said.