Police Presence, Trump on the Ocean Top Concerns for Residents

A growing concern for Merrick residents is police presence throughout the neighborhood, especially in light of Monday’s home invasion that resulted in the lockdown of over twenty schools throughout Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh and Seaford.

The South Merrick Community Civic Association (SMCCA) discussed the matter of police presence with guest speaker Sergeant Fried of the Seventh Precinct at Tuesday's SMCCA meeting. Sergeant Fried stressed the importance of Neighborhood Watch since some divisions of the local police force have been cut, namely Problem Oriented Policing (POP) officers.

“If you see something, call us. Don’t be embarrassed – that’s what we get paid to do…if you don’t want to call 911, at least call the precinct,” said Fried.

Some residents expressed concern about police presence in emergency situations, such as the recent Hurricane Irene. Several meeting attendees mentioned hearing rumors about 19 burglaries during the mandatory evacuation. Sergeant Fried had no confirmation of this figure, and reiterated following directions from the police and government during emergencies, and, once again, alerting the police if you see something strange (like people “scouting” the area for homes with no one in them).

Legislator Denenberg was also at Tuesday’s meeting. He, too, noted the importance of neighborhood watch now that there have been cuts in special police divisions; DWI patrol is gone, as is the heroin unit and marine officers are on their way out. While residents cannot take all police matters into their own hands, they can stay alert of unusual situations and act responsibly.

LIPA was also a topic discussed by Denenberg. While LIPA was working to restore power after Hurriance Irene throughout Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh, Denenberg noticed how hard citizens worked to be heard. “The civic really did what the civic should be doing,” noted Denenberg.

Denenberg briefly discussed Aqua water as well. Legislator Denenberg urged residents to go to Aqua meetings and send letters to the Town of Hempstead. Denenberg said, “80 percent of Hempstead residents get public water and we pay the same taxes.”

Rafe Lieber spoke on behalf of the Alliance for the Revitalization of Jones Beach. Many residents are concerned about the Trump on the Ocean project and how it will affect the Jones Beach waterfront.

Berta Weinstein, SMCAA vice president, expressed her concern. “The footprint of that area is going to be so big that the beach front will be affected,” she said.

Flooding of a proposed enlarged basement at the Trump on the Ocean site is also a concern.

According to Lieber, the project will cost about $20 million dollars and the building has a lease with the State of New York. Joe Baker, SMCCA president, asked, “What do we do as a community to get this thing done?”

Many people are anxious to get the project completed so that tensions, rallies, etc. will end. Leiber suggested that residents reach out to Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman McDonough.

The next meeting of the SMCCA will take place on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Note: The views of the speakers do not necessarily reflect those of the South Merrick Civic Association.