Cops to Plainview: Stay Calm; Call Us
Nassau police offer reassuring message about the recent burglaries: They are on "high alert" for the bad guys.
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Nassau County Police reassured a nervous public Tuesday night that they are doing everything they can to stop the burglars who have plagued Plainview this fall.
They stressed this key point: Plainview should not live in fear. Instead residents should keep watch over their neighborhoods and call the police without hesitation.
"My cops are on high alert," said Nassau Police Inspector Donald Halbohn.
In a detailed presentation at the Plainview Library, the top cops in the Second and Eighth precincts vowed to remain vigilant in their hunt for those responsible and said the community can help them in the fight.
"I am personally offended by burglaries," said Halbohn, who commands the eighth precinct and also lives in its confines. "It's not for a lack of trying on our part. We take burglary personally."
He stressed how vital it is to call the police when suspicions are aroused, and that police do not in any way mind being called to false alarms.
"You are not going to be bothering us if you call," Halbohn said. "I'd rather be called 100 times for what turns out to be kids in your backyard for that one time we catch a burgler."
Deputy Inspector John Berry, commander of the Second Precinct, provided an in-depth review of the efforts underway by local cops to put a stop to the crimes.
The burglaries are a priority for Nassau officers and detectives, who are on the lookout for unusual behavior or people lingering in the community who clearly don't belong, Berry said. They are examining patterns to the crimes and poring over lists of known criminals and drug addicts who may be working the residential corridor that straddles the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway.
The commanders said their cops are responding instantly and in force to calls from the public.
An overflow crowd of about 80 people crammed a meeting room in the library's basement to hear the presentation and ask questions. The community safety forum was sponsored by the Concerned Citizens of Plainview Old Bethpage, Inc. and moderated by the group's leader, Carol Meschkow.
Plainview is situated in parts of both patrol precincts. The Second covers north of Old Country Road; the Eighth covers south of it, including Old Bethpage.
Police made these key points in the two-hour-long session:
- In general, burglars are non-violent, not armed and are looking only to hit unoccupied homes using the least effort possible. That means a simple lock on doors and windows or leaving lights on during the fall and winter can prevent a burglary. "Every morning I see the cases and I can't believe all the unlocked doors," Berry said.
- Home invasions -- attacks on people or property when the resident is home -- are rare and generally involve disputes between people known to each other.
- The uptick in burglaries is routine in the fall because nightfall comes before people get home from work. Burglars look for tell-tale signs of unoccupied houses: Newspapers piled up; garbage pails left out; houselights off after dusk.
- Often, burglars ring the front door bell. If no one answers, they circle to the back and test for easy access, police said.
- Residents know their neighborhoods best. Neighbors should keep close watch on suspicious activities on their block. Look in on older neighbors, and listen to gut instincts.
"When those hairs stand up on the back of your neck, that's a survival instinct," Halbohn said. "If it gives you pause, call 911."
Paulie B
12:45 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
What these commanding officers will not tell you is that their hands have been tied by the powers that be. Plainclothes patrols and Problem Oriented Police units have been cut .These commanders have been told to "deal with it". This rise in crime is higher than usual as a direct result of all of the cutbacks. Nassau CSEA President is correct when he states, for the price of a cup of coffee a week, we are laying off hundreds of County workers that provide essential services and help maintain the quality of life in Nassau we have all come to know. This applies to the police department as well. When patrol officers are being asked to do the work of specialized police patrols, their response time slows with the increased workload. The same is going on in Suffolk County as the serial killer case still goes unsolved. Suffolk had numerous cutbacks during Steve Levy's term in office and he also got rid of the multi-years of experience head of the homicide division during a public spat. All of these positions were created for a reason and are necessary to maintain the low crime levels achieved since the early 90's. The "broken windows method" of policing is a proven success and all of these positions are necessary for it to work. So Ed and Peter can smoke their holiday pipes and continue to blow smoke up your ass, but the numbers will not allow them to lie. Let them know you will not tolerate a lower quality of life at any cost, especially not the price of a cup of coffee a week.
Mike OConnor
2:32 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Compare this November to last November the Second precinct reported a 24 percent rise in Plainview burglaries, and the Eight precinct reported a 70 percent rise in Plainview burglaries for a total of a 94 percent increase in Plainview burglaries, there were ten burglaries reported this past Friday alone. These numbers are outrageous and disgraceful. While our back doors and windows are getting kicked in our local politicians are cutting our police funds. I was shocked to here at last nights meeting that the Second precincts plainclothes unit was disbanded due to budget cuts and now there is talk about closing the Second percent and we are expected to accept this. In the last 10 to 15 years our taxes have tripled and unfortunately so has our crime rate. The only way to solve this is to utilize the necessary funds to combat these crimes. The county has to stop cutting patrol forces and instead spend the funds to increase patrols, pay overtime for extra patrols, and restore plain clothes units to solve these crimes. The only time I here from a politician is a recorded phone message just before election. Plainview has become a target for criminals and the way they address it is by cutting not adding. Unfortunately most residents will not voice their opinions until it directly effects them, but don't worry at this rate we should be hearing from everyone soon. This matter will not get better if the funds and resources are provided to address it. Mike OC
Steve
4:11 pm on Saturday, December 24, 2011
I'm too am shocked to hear that the Precinct has no plain clothes unit. While patrol with marked cars is an excellent deterrent, the unmarked plain clothes officers are the ones most likely to catch the bad guys in the act.
Simba
4:46 pm on Saturday, December 24, 2011
Mike,
Spot on. I grew up in the city and until Rudy came in and cleaned the city up, it was a mess. We are moving in reverse, the best policy we have had was to put a cap on property taxes, yet school taxes are bleeding us dry and not a single politician wants to tackle that issue, why ? What are they afraid of or better yet what do the wish to achieve. Plainview is going to become Hicksville soon enough. I can see the difference already in the last 10 years. But as you said Mike, this town in plagued by selfish attitudes. Ever try shopping in Shoprite and have a pleasant go at it. Does anyone acknowledge when you say excuse me, do the apologise when they slam into you, do the act like sheer idiots whenever a storm approaches even though there will be plenty of food in the stupidmarket the next day. Please this is the most obnoxious town that basically needs to get a black eye. Everyone is excpecting the Police to do everything and not lift a single finger themselves. As Mike says, get ready folks, let's see if you can take a punch.
mother
12:07 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
I live in Plainview and really resent what you just said. Every town has obnoxious people. I shop at shoprite and like it. There are more obnoxious people in other stores not in plainview. My house was broken into and it scared my children for a long time. we felt unsafe and violated. they stole my social security cards and my kids savings bonds. everything they got was locked up. We are expecting the police to help but other than patrolling the streets and putting camaras up what else can we do. Why would you say we need a black eye. We could say bad stuff about the people in the city too, would you like people to things about you. Grow up!! I have lived in plainview for 32 years. my whole life. nothing like this has ever happened in my neighborhood. What has changed? Lets catch these people and let them, know they can't come into our neighborhood and do this and get away with it.
Fish Hunter
3:48 pm on Monday, December 26, 2011
Helos circling plainview center area at this time..
Fish Hunter
3:57 pm on Monday, December 26, 2011
Still circling making really wide passes from old country to NSP and back
Paulie B
1:01 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
It wasnt Rudy's idea for "broken windows" policing, but he implemented it and it is a success to this very day. Having specialty units to deal with different issues is the only way to keep crime rates low. The patrol guys represent the face of the department and need to maintain a professional image and handle the daily 911 calls. It is the support staff that get called in when a problem arises and together they help rid an area of its blight and seedy characters. You all need to contact your legislatures as well as the County executive and keep voicing your concerns. The only way they'll react is if they feel it will help them get re-elected.
Simba
3:03 pm on Friday, February 17, 2012
Mother
I feel for your family with the break in and your lost items. I certainly do not mean any harm to fall on anyone but the truth is the attitudes that I have experienced here living as a resident is comical. I have experienced more obnoxious attitudes than anywhere else. and you want me to grow up, please. My comment about a black eye is simple, you want to walk around like your ten feet taller than anyone else, let's see how you like it when you get knocked down. You are right this crap that is spreading in our town is getting worse. The worst thing that could happen is for people to forget what it means to be neighbours. I know I am not the only one who has moved here from the city and experienced the attitude issue and the culture issue, you might be used to it, we're not.