Letter: Sheriff patrols aren't working out

Regarding the letter from Suffolk County's chief deputy sheriff, Kerry M. Kneitel, about patrolling the Sunrise Highway ["Sheriff patrols work," Jan. 25], I must relay an experience I had on that highway.

My wife and I were traveling east near Connetquot Avenue when I noticed a car driving erratically, swerving severely from lane to lane. The driver was either sick or intoxicated, by my estimation. I called 911 and got a Suffolk County police emergency operator.

The operator said she would have to transfer me to the sheriff's department. That operator answered after several rings. I told her the situation, and she said she had no one available to respond. I advised her to notify Suffolk County police to have a car respond immediately, as the driver was going to cause an accident. She continued to tap on her computer keys in search of an officer.

At this point, the erratic driver exited Sunrise Highway, and the sheriff's operator told me she was transferring me back to the police operator, as the sheriff doesn't cover service roads. When the police operator answered, I had to relay the information again. The operator took it and relayed it to the Fifth Precinct.

I followed the vehicle a short distance on the service road, and it then re-entered Sunrise Highway. I gave that information to the 911 operator and stopped following the car.

This experience was frustrating, and having to talk to different emergency operators for the same incident is unacceptable. The Suffolk County police patrolled these roads for years, delivering experienced and professional service to motorists. They operated one radio system, dispatched directly from 911, and could coordinate with precinct units easily.

The current situation is confusing and dangerous, both on the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway.

Edward Zimmerman, Nesconset

Editor's note: The writer is a retired Suffolk County police officer.