RSS 2.0 FeedNovember 25, 2010, Merrick Life
Merrick residents are fighting mad
Civics talk on crime, Aqua and upcoming North Merrick Fire Department elections.
After a series of purse-snatchings and robberies, Merrick residents attended the November meeting of the North Merrick Community Association to learn what police are doing to curb the criminal activities in the area.
Officer Mike Keane of the First Precinct’s Problem Oriented Policing (POP) unit was on hand to report on the crimes and take comments and questions from residents.
Five or six purse snatchings have been reported within the last two weeks, said Officer Keane. In most incidents, women have been approached as they pull into their driveways. The thief then grabs the woman’s handbag and flees.
“Tell your friends and neighbors” to look around before getting out of the car, said Officer Keane.
In other incidents, the POP officer said a burglary took place on Thelma Avenue. A white man knocked on a door and told the woman answering that he needed to see her backyard property because a neighbor was anticipating erecting a new fence.
The woman brought him into her backyard and while they were engaged in conversation, an accomplice entered the home and burglarized it. A neighbor watched as the first man left the property and walked down the block to a black SUV with New Jersey license plates.
NMCA president Claudia Borecky said that on the same day of the burglary, a woman she knew told her a man had knocked on her door, but that woman would not answer the door. Officer Keane said that any suspicious activity should be called in to 911 operators.
Anne Salvatore and some of her neighbors appreciated the advice but wanted to know what police were doing to stop the criminals. She said that a bike had been stolen from her garage recently and that some neighbors had had bikes stolen as well. When a strange car was seen on her street, Ms. Salvatore said she had called police but it took 20 minutes for the police to arrive. “20 minutes is not a reasonable expectation when there is a problem,” said Ms. Salvatore.
John Lufrano, director of the Neighborhood Watch Program, said that he knew that police were investigating. “They are doing their best,” said Mr. Lufrano, adding that it is always acceptable to call back 911 after five or 10 minutes have elapsed without a response visit from the police.
Officer Keane explained that the 911 emergency system is dialed, the calls are prioritized according to need. In light of the present problems, the police department has assigned undercover personnel in the area.
A Merrick resident said that all of those concerned need to attend civic association meetings every month. “We have to take care of our neighbors,” said the concerned citizen.
Ms. Borecky said the purpose of the neighborhood watch is to organize neighbors watching out for other neighbors. There are no patrols involved, simply the ability to be the eyes and ears of police on the block where they live.
Patrols are conducted by the auxiliary police, and Officers Fiderer and Longo were at the NMCA meeting to tell residents about the trained volunteers who help the police in any way they can. Officer Longo said that volunteers attend the Nassau police academy and then donate some time, at their convenience, to patrol areas (usually the areas in which they live).
Due to the driveway robberies and bike thefts, Mr. Lufrano asked if the auxiliary police could place more frequent patrols on Smith Street and Grand Avenue. Both officers agreed to bring the suggestion back to their commanders.
Officer Keane assured civic members that the POP squad attends civic meetings to learn where problems exist and to help find resolutions to those problems. Residents were told to dial 911 in any emergency, including suspicious activities.
For those matters that do not require immediate attention, the POP office can be called at 573-6170.
Although the POP officers are usually on patrol, they listen to phone messages and return all calls.
Mr. Lufrano said the association would try to have the commanding officer attend the next meeting to answer some of the questions residents have.
Upcoming fire commissioner elections
Commissioner Kevin O’Hara of the North Merrick Fire Department spoke to attendees to encourage votes for the December 14 election. Having been a commissioner for the last five years, Mr. O’Hara wanted to let residents know about some of the news at the department.
New regulations provide for grant funding for firefighters to attend Nassau Community College free of charge, said Mr. O’Hara. With a commitment for service to the department, potential students can achieve a free two year education. “It’s an advantage,” said Mr. O’Hara.
Speaking of the duties of commissioners, Mr. O’Hara said the position is non-partisan and nonsalaried. Nonetheless, it is a very important position since commissioners set tax rates and manage the budget.
Commissioner O’Hara has a Masters degree in business and possesses 35 years of experience as a firefighter. He also serves as a paramedic and a paramedic instructor. During the last three years, there have been no tax increases despite renovation of the department’s building, upgrades in equipment and the computerization of dispatching.
Commissioner O’Hara warned that increased rates of Aqua water service will result in charges of $700 to $800 for the use of each fire hydrant in the district. That cost is compared to the fire hydrants that fall into the Uniondale Fire District – the use of those hydrants costs about $75 each.
Clearly, with most of the hydrants in North Merrick serviced by Aqua, residents will be seeing increased costs on fire hydrants added to the cost increases on personal water usage.
Continuing the Aqua discussion
Ms. Borecky segued into a report on the progress, or lack thereof, with the Southeast Nassau Water Authority. The authority was resurrected in response to rate increases granted to Aqua by the Public Service Commission.
In January 2010, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray announced with great fanfare the town’s plans to seek new members for the water authority. The water authority would allow three members from the Town of Hempstead and two members from the town of Oyster Bay, since both towns fall under the realm of Aqua.
Ms. Borecky had submitted a resumé to the town, but was not one of those chosen to serve on the board. After nine months of reviewing resumes, the Town of Hempstead appointed the three member in September.
With great frustration, Ms. Borecky reported that as we approach December, the board has not held a meeting as yet. Many audience members complained that their water bills hover around $200 for a two-month period, almost three times the rate of nearby East Meadow residents.
Other business
Many meeting attendees wondered what was going on with the proposal for a 7-11 convenience store at Jerusalem and Merrick Avenues. NMCA Vice President Francine Goldstein said she had contacted town of Hempstead Councilwoman Angie Cullin to obtain information. Ms. Goldstein received word that the proposal, originally applied for in 2008, had been approved. Notices of the zoning Board of Appeals meeting had been sent to those residents within 100 feet of the property.
Some residents expressed the opinion that notification to residents within 100 feet was not acceptable and the range should be expanded.
Cell towers continue to be problematic in Merrick, and Ms. Borecky assured members that the new town code will help in many ways. The association further hopes to meet with the town attorney about the offending equipment.
The North Merrick Library has repair issues that need to be addressed, including the roof, windows and other renovations. Ms. Borecky said that a $7 million bond issue is under consideration, and a representative from the library has been invited to a future meeting of NMCA.
