Riordan Cavooris, age 2, is hospitalized at Stony Brook University...

Riordan Cavooris, age 2, is hospitalized at Stony Brook University Hospital, being treated for a fractured skull and brain trauma after a high-speed collision. Credit: Cavooris Family

David M. Schwartz’s articles documenting the abject failure of the Suffolk County Police Department to respond appropriately to a rear-end collision in which then 2-year-old Riordan Cavooris and his 4-year-old brother, Bastian, were grievously injured is a splendid example of Newsday again fulfilling its role of investigating and exposing government misconduct [“No alcohol testing for cop after crash,” News, Aug. 21].

— Thomas A. Schweitzer, Port Washington

The actions of the Suffolk County police officers were outrageous and demand a full investigation by an independent third party. In addition to the officers being suspended without pay and benefits, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney should investigate the feasibility of bringing charges against the officers that might include, without limitation, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, obstruction of justice, submission of a false affidavit and destruction of evidence. Both the victims and the public deserve no less.

— Eric Jurist, Wantagh

An absolute cover-up is what happened regarding Riordan Cavooris, and all those involved with this should be fired.

You do something crooked, and you are fired. It happens often in the workplace, and life goes on. Unfortunately for Riordan, his life will be forever changed.

— Anthony Tanzi, Mastic Beach

I was extremely disturbed by the articles. Newsday did an excellent job revealing the facts of police personnel scheming to avoid prosecution of one of their own in a motor vehicle accident. Nothing could be more damaging to the public trust of police.

I suggest that state law be modified to require drug and alcohol testing of all persons involved in accidents in which there are injuries.

Now, responding police officers have the option to demand those tests or not. It is through this loophole that the police can shield their own personnel.

— Dave Setteducati, Smithtown

What policies are in place when a Nassau or Suffolk county police officer is involved in an accident and a fellow brother in blue responds to the call?

Being a police officer creates a special brotherhood because of the stressful situations that these cops encounter every day. This makes it difficult for even the most honest cop to arrest his close colleague who perhaps just the other day saved his or her life. These officers may spend more time with their police colleagues than their actual family, including holidays such as Christmas.

We must enact polices in which an independent officer, possibly state or federal, can ensure a fair investigation.

— Carmine Smith, Bellmore

Law enforcement professionals who will criticize Newsday and circle the wagons around the Suffolk County police officer who injured that young boy — and the officers who covered up the possible DUI — should take another look at the picture of him on the cover. These officers caused his family so much suffering.

— Tom Aydinian, Queens Village

When will Manganos receive due justice?

It is difficult to understand that former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano obtained a fourth delay in serving his prison sentence [“Prison delays for Manganos,” News, Aug. 24].

It shows the power and influence that a politician continues to have. This has been going on since his conviction in 2019. Any other citizen would have been in prison years ago. Our court system should be embarrassed to allow these delays to continue.

When will justice finally be served for these privileged people?

— Harvey Miller, Jericho

What is going on with the Manganos? Are they still so politically connected that they are given so many chances to appeal — four times — delaying their imprisonment?

Many other corrupt politicians in Nassau County are currently in prison. Others are imprisoned awaiting appeals.

What makes the Manganos so special that they are allowed to be free? It’s been years now.

It’s time for them to do the time. They did the crimes. At least people would get some satisfaction, and it would show other ne’er-do-wells they will be caught and sentenced.

This greed must stop.

— Wendy Johnson, Centereach

This is the oldest form of persecution

The oldest form of persecution is the male persecution of the female, not antisemitism [“We all must combat antisemitism,” Opinion, Aug. 22].

The larger and stronger usually persecute the smaller and weaker. In this instance, a persecution endured for more than 99% of our evolutionary history. A growing awareness of the common humanity of men and women may finally place a crack at bigotry’s base. I hope so. Until we face fear and hatred of the other as manifested in every time and iteration of our species, we are bigots.

The Bible offers examples of hatred of the other and the willingness of one group to destroy every remnant of the other from whatever place the group in power imagined as theirs.

Christians persecuted Jews from approximately AD 380 to the Holocaust and beyond. Skin color, the shape of one’s eyes, language, religion, political party, geography, age and competition for resources are, however, among a list of historical reasons humans hated, feared and persecuted.

With few historical exceptions, when humans have power over others, especially those they fear or hate, they persecute.

— Timothy Kunz, Baldwin

Correction: In an earlier version, the year when Christians began persecuting Jews was incorrect.

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