Police, Denenberg Visits Highlight North Bellmore Civic Meeting

Law enforcement and public safety were the major themes of the evening at this month's meeting of the North Bellmore Civic Association on Monday night.

A visit from Nassau Legislator Dave Denenberg with updates to several pressing public issues was also a noteworthy addition to yet another successful night of community activism.

After Civic Association president Reinaldo Nunez called the meeting to order, First Precinct POP (Problem Oriented Police) officer Edward Knox addressed the members of the Civic Association, giving them a brief recap of recent crime activities in the North Bellmore area.

Among the crimes covered were a robbery of a local Citgo gas station, two teenagers being robbed at gunpoint, an undercover cocaine bust, and three residential burglaries.

Officer Knox advised common sense when it comes to residents protecting their home.

"Always let your neighbors know if you're going away," he said. "And leave your lights and either a radio or a television on a timer, so it looks like someone is home. If someone's trying to break in and a light suddenly goes on, believe me, they're going to run."

A recent rash of purse snatchings in Bellmore and neighboring areas has raised the level of unrest in the community, as two suspects, both described as black males, have been brazenly approaching females in the Bellmore, Baldwin, Levittown, East Meadow, Merrick, Wantagh and Hicksville areas, forcibly removing their pocketbooks, and making good their escape in a dark-colored four door sedan.

Many of the attacks have taken place in residents' very own driveways.

"Don't carry a purse if you can, and always use caution when coming home," Knox said. "If you see a strange car parked with someone in it, drive past, and call the police. If attacked, use your keys to defend yourself, hit the panic button on your car remote ... call attention to yourself."

Next up, two Auxiliary Police officers spoke to the group. Officers Louis Maffettone and Michael Serif gave a brief lecture to the Civic Association on who the Auxiliary Police are and what they do.

"We are volunteers who assist the police department," he said. "We don't get paid, we don't get tax breaks. The police department supplies us with uniforms, patrol cars, and, most importantly, training as peace officers."

The training includes instruction in New York State penal law, self-defense, first aid, CPR, and use of police equipment.

While not possessing the same powers as the standard police, Auxiliary officers help with patrolling neighborhoods and train stations, directing traffic, and informing the authorities if they observe anything out of the ordinary.

"We do this out of the goodness of our hearts," Maffettone said. "We want to give back to our community."

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, also popped up near the end of the meeting, giving attendees updates on the county's attempts to take over Aqua, a private water company they feel is overcharging residents, as well as the ongoing Jerusalem Avenue Beautification Project, which has hit its share of stumbling blocks recently.

"We're planning on installing new lighting and pavement in the North Bellmore section of the road," he said. "I've gotten $175,000 to be used for the project."

Denenberg also heaped praise upon the Civic Association for the difference they have made in their community in the past 10 years.

"Throughout the county, there are few civic associations that can speak of the record of accomplishment that you have," he said. "And your monthly meetings are phenomenal."

The next regular meeting of the North Bellmore Civic Association is Monday, Jan. 10.