RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 3, 2010, Cover Stories, Wantagh Seaford Citizen
Burglaries at the Wantagh Marina
SIX BOATS WERE BURGLARIZED and vandalized at the Wantagh Park Marina last week, after the park lost power for three days.
Sitting ducks.
Under the cover of darkness six boats at the Wantagh Park Marina were vandalized and burglarized last week after the electric power was shut off at Wantagh Park and the marina for three days.
Police say the burglaries took place sometime between Thursday evening after 10 p.m. August 26 and 8 a.m. Friday, August 27. All the boats damaged were moored on Dock B. Police reported that the boats sustained damage to cabin doors.
Fishing poles, binoculars and a 3 1/2 HP Nissan outboard motor, as well as assorted electronics, including depth finders, VHF radios and GPS navigation systems, were stolen. The burglaries are still under investigation.
Wantagh Park and Marina lost electricity on August 24. That day, “one boater, noticed his shore power was only 60 volts instead of 120. He checked with other boaters in the area and found the problem was everywhere,” explained Bruce Piel, executive director of PARCnassau, who said the boater then “notified the park administration and they notified the DPW [county Department of Public Works].”
Subsequently the power was shut down to make a repair to the electrical system throughout the park, including the pool and the ballfields. “This left the boats literally in the dark each night,” said Mr. Piel. “Hundreds of boats valued at well over a million dollars were left unprotected by the Police Department and Department of Public Security apparently because they weren’t notified about the problem by the Parks Department. “It was bound to happen.”
County officials did not respond to questions about the incident or a plan to address security measures at Wantagh Park and the Marina. Residents have complained for several years about the lack of security in the park, including groups of marauding teenagers and vandalism to the playground, including a brush fire several years ago. “Park security has one person who checks four parks during each night.
By her own admission, when questioned, she says she has nothing to do with the marina, only the park,” said Ed Beyer, past commander of the Wantagh Yacht Club at the Wantagh Marina. “When asked if she would do anything if she saw people going into different boats, she answered that the boats are privately owned and she doesn’t go down on the dock. Is this security?” asked Mr. Beyer.
“We pay a lot of money in taxes to Nassau County and also pay over $2,000 per year for our boat slip.” Mr. Piel and Mr. Beyer also want to know why there is no system in place to notify boaters of a blackout. “They [park personnel] have no electricity and they just sit there in the office. They need a system.” However, Mr. Beyer added that Wantagh Park manager Mary Schroeder did reach out to the boaters Monday morning.
“I received a phone from Ms. Schroeder who told me the electric power was being shut off to change fuses,” said Mr. Beyer.
