Precinct Merger Delayed, Police Planning Security Camera Network

The third of four mergers within Nassau County's police precincts may have to wait a little longer.

The realignment between the Fourth and Fifth Precincts was initially scheduled for Sept. 1, but now faces a "weeks-long delay" due to a potential overcrowding issue, according to Newsday [paid link].

... the consolidated precinct's mix of prisoners, officers and other staff is expected to be too crowded for the existing Hewlett building. So the department plans to install a modular building for added office space for supervisors, said First Deputy Commissioner Thomas Krumpter.

The Fifth Precinct, based out of Elmont, will be absorbed by the Fourth Precinct in Hewlett when the merger is completed.

Click here to read more about the delays and what Nassau County Police Benevolent Association President Jim Carver had to say.

Nassau Police to Use Security Camera Network

The Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) is planning on using a network of security cameras throughout the county to help monitor the area more effectively, according to reports.

Newsday [paid link] reported:

The Nassau program would link thousands of cameras throughout the county to a network overseen by Securewatch 24, a New York-based company that coordinates thousands of public and private cameras linked to the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative, said Det. Sgt. Patrick Ryder, commanding officer of the Nassau police intelligence and asset forfeiture unit.

According to its website, Securewatch 24 "maintains the largest privately installed network of video surveillance in the United States."

The Lower Manhattan Security Initiative use closed circuit televisions owned by the NYPD and its various private and public partners and license plate readers, along with several other technologies, according to a release from the NYPD.

Ryder told Newsday that the network will give police access to private security cameras, "such as those monitoring stores or businesses," but not red-light cameras or the same license-plate readers used by the NYPD.

The report in Newsday also states that the security system would not cost the county any money for its use.

Nassau Police Exam to be Held in December

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, along with Police Commissioner Thomas Dale and Civil Service Executive Director Karl Kampe, Wednesday announced plans to hold a Nassau County Police Officer Exam on Dec. 9, 2012.  The filing deadline to take the exam is Friday, Oct. 12. The exam is being given as the current list of qualified candidates will expire in April 2013 due to New York State Civil Service Law.  

While to date, no one was hired off the last test qualification list, the county expects to hire some members off the current list for the county and local village forces. With projected retirements in the next two years, the county expects a larger number of individuals to be hired off the qualified list of December test takers.

Applications can be obtained at Nassau County Police Headquarters, any Nassau County Police precinct or policing center, the Nassau County Executive’s office, the Nassau County Civil Service Commission or by calling 1-800-RECRUIT.  Interested applicants can also visit the Nassau County website and request that an application be mailed to them being mindful of the submission deadline. 

Candidates must be at least 17 years of age and have not reached their 35th birthday as of Dec. 9, 2012: provided however, that time spent on military duty may be deducted from age up to a maximum of six years. 

County Host 9/11 Sunset Candlelight and Remembrance Ceremony

With the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks quickly approaching, the county announced Thursday that it will honor the memory of those who lost their lives. The Sunset Candlelight and Remembrance Ceremony will take place on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at the 9/11 Memorial in Eisenhower Park, near Parking Field 6. 

Names of Nassau County residents who lost their lives in the attacks will be read by family members at Lakeside Theatre, adjacent to Nassau County’s 9/11 Memorial in Eisenhower Park. The memorial features two semi-transparent aluminum towers, representing the World Trade Center towers, rising 30 feet from a fountain, and also contains two pieces of steel recovered from the World Trade Center.

Immediately following the Remembrance Ceremony, attendees will participate in a candle light vigil at the county's 9/11 Memorial.