Politics & Government

Nassau Notebook: First Human Case of West Nile, DWI Enforcement

A weekly look-in at the news of Nassau County.

The Nassau County Department of Health is reporting the first confirmed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a Nassau County resident this year. The individual is an adult male between the ages of 40 and 50 who resides in the Town of Hempstead. He had a mild illness and has fully recovered.

To date, 22 mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Nassau County this year. Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works will continue their mosquito control efforts by inspecting breeding sites and, when necessary, applying larvicide. Mosquito surveillance will continue at 42 trap sites located throughout the county.

For mosquito, stagnant water, or drainage problems, call the Nassau County Department of Public Works at: (516) 571-6900. 

Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Additional West Nile virus information may be found on the Nassau County Department of Health website.

Extra DWI Enforcement for Labor Day Weekend

Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Acting Nassau County Police Commissioner Tom Krumpter announced Thursday that this upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, the Nassau County Police Department will participate in a “STOP-DWI” program that will allocate additional police officers to conduct an extensive DWI enforcement initiative.

The “STOP DWI” program is funded by DWI fines collected in Nassau County and will provide the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and police departments throughout the county with additional funding that will be utilized to implement an effective DWI saturation enforcement strategy that has proven very successful in years past. The NCPD’s Highway Patrol Bureau will coordinate and plan this initiative that will target certain areas throughout the county. There were 68 DWI arrests in Nassau County over last year’s Labor Day weekend and 55 over this year’s Memorial Day weekend.

“Our endeavor this weekend will be to seek violators of the law; there is no leeway for drunk drivers," Krumpter said. "The men and women of the Nassau County Police Department will show zero tolerance for anyone who operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

Mangano and Krumpter remind everyone:

  • If you plan to drink, choose a designated driver before going out.
  • Take mass transit, a cab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home
  • Spend the night where the activity is being held.
  • Always buckle up – it’s your best defense against a drunk driver.

Federal Disaster Aid Extended to Nassau

Federal disaster aid has been extended to Nassau County, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday. Click here for the full story.

Nassau DA Warns Against Irene Clean Up Scams

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, in the wake of Hurricane Irene, is encouraging residents to use caution when hiring contractors to assist with debris removal and property repairs.

“In the aftermath of this major storm, it is essential that everyone be wary of scam artists promising immediate debris removal and home repairs,” Rice said. “Some insist on advance payment for work they never do, quote outrageous prices, or simply do not possess the skills, licenses, and insurance to legally do the work.”

If you believe that you may have been the victim of a scam, call the District Attorney’s Office immediately at (516) 571-3505 to file a complaint. The DA’s Office conducts regular stings to catch unlicensed contractors, and will be dedicating additional special resources to monitor clean-up contractors this week.

For more information on resources available in Hurricane Irene’s aftermath, contact the Nassau County special hotline at 1-888-684-4274.


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