Letters: Police, pay and public safety
Nassau Police cars outside the fifth precinct on Monday, January 30, 2012 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Howard Schnapp) Credit: Photo by Howard Schnapp
The Nassau County Police Benevolent Association is manipulating crime statistics to ensure job security ["Surge in LI burglaries," News, Feb. 20]. The Nassau PBA will say and do anything to protect its compensation.
The civilian-elected government sets the policy and controls the hired police force. County Executive Edward Mangano has done a lot of work and research on the proposed policing changes, which will save Nassau County from financial ruin. I pray the county executive decides to go with layoffs and the reassigning of 200 clerical police officers and not grant retirement rewards by issuing bonded debt.
It's time the patrolmen got back in their squad cars and started working to stop crime in one of the lowest crime counties in the United States.
Joseph Thrapp, Rockville Centre
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano has postponed the precinct vote ["Mangano postpones police precinct vote," News, Feb. 27]. PBA president James Carver must be thrilled.
He debated the issue with Deputy Commissioner Thomas Krumpter on News 12 Long Island. A suggestion was made to hold a referendum on the issue. Maybe it is a good idea.
But I suggest they add a second question. This one should ask people to vote on whether the police should take a substantial pay cut or work additional days or give up the payment received when they retire. Or, ask Carver whether he would rather reopen contracts and reduce his members' personal incomes and benefits, or close precincts.
Robert F. Hughes, Floral Park
This is a response to the letter "Too much political power for police" [Feb. 23]. I disagree with the statement that our police have too much power. If it were up to me, I would give the police even more power to fight crime on Long Island.
As a 19-year-old, I can say that I wish the police made a bigger impact, and their power gives them the potential to make this impact. Many of my friends from grade school are now hooked on hard drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, Vicodin or oxycodone. This is a huge problem because drugs are jeopardizing the potential of our youth.
The availability of drugs on Long Island can only be stopped by our police. I'm clueless as to why one would complain about our police forces' involvement in making Long Island a better and safer place.
In response to the writer's statement, "I am fearful that our elected officials no longer control our police departments," the key word is elected. Our elected officials derive their power and authority from us, the Long Island voters. We have the power to elect officials who have the power to control the police force.
Connor James Dugan, Blue Point
Editor's note: The writer is a student at Bentley University in Waltham, Mass.
