Rumors vs. Reality: Forum to Discuss Plainview Burglaries

Plainview has heard a lot of talk in recent months about burglaries in the community.

Some of that talk is just that: talk.

Carol Meschkow wants to set the record straight and let the authorities offer tips for keeping all of us safer.

"Sometimes people blow things up all out of proportion," the community leader said of recent public concerns about local burglaries. "That's what (our forum) is about: people need to learn what is really happening."

Meschkow's is sponsoring a "community safety forum" on Tuesday Jan. 18. Members of the Nassau County Police Department will be on hand to discuss the public concerns and rash of rumors  as well as offer tips for protecting residents' property.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. inside the auditorium at the  and is open to the public.

Meschkow acknowledged that there have been some burglaries in Plainview, but said the figures are not out of line with those of surrounding communities. "I love this community but we have rumor mills and exaggerations here sometimes," she said.

While specific figures for Plainview were not available this week, a review of area burglary statistics over the last year revealed no significant increases in area burglaries.

The 2nd Precinct, which patrols Plainview north of Old Country Road, reported 219 burglaries for the year through November, 2010, up from 212 burglaries in 2009, or a modest 3.3 percent increase. The 2nd Precinct covers a wide territory stretching from Plainview and Hicksville northward to Syosset, Woodbury and Oyster Bay.

The 8th Precinct, which patrols Plainview south of Old Country Road and through Bethpage, Levittown, Plainedge and Farmingdale, reported a significant drop in overall burglaries over the same period. The numbers in the 8th were 178 in 2010, down from 208 a year earlier, nearly a 17 percent decrease, according to police department figures.

Representatives of both precincts are expected to attend the Jan. 18 meeting.

This Forum is a follow-up to the Safety Forum the Concerned Citizens sponsored this past Summer through their Neighbor-to-Neighbor Watch Program.  

"Our Nassau County police units have new information to share which is especially helpful in view of community concerns regarding these crimes," Meschkow said. "Everyone's participation is beneficial in keeping our community safe."

Plainview residents can sign up for the community group's "Neighbor-to-Neighbor Watch Alert List," by going to the Concerned Citizens website at: www.concernedcitizenspob.org.

CRIME STATISTICS: BURGLARIES (source: Nassau County Police Department)

* All figures are precinct-wide and not limited to Plainview.