Officers from the Nassau County Police Department's Eighth Precinct's POP (Problem Oriented Policing) Unit, in conjunction with the Concerned Citizens Association of Farmingdale (CCAF), hosted a National Night Out Against Crime on Aug. 6, in an effort to increase and strengthen community and police relations and to discuss various problems in the Farmingdale area.

The National Night Out Against Crime, which was held in several communities in conjunction with police departments on Aug. 6, was not only designed to build strong partnerships between police departments and communities but also to help enforce drug and crime prevention in local neighborhoods. In Farmingdale, officers met with residents to specifically address the problems associated with the bicycle path and nearby areas located close to Farmingdale High School, just off 11th Street, which many residents believe is part of the Massapequa Preserve. Actually, POP officers explained to residents on Aug. 6, that area of land is technically part of Bethpage State Park and is under the jurisdiction of the New York State Park Police, but the Eighth Precinct does patrol it in an effort to help with the problems often associated with the area.

When meeting with the officers, who gathered with residents on the corner of Woodward Parkway and 11th Street and later visited areas of the bicycle path, many residents voiced their concerns about the area, including drug use, graffiti, vandalism and excessive noise.

Officers explained to residents that if they encounter or witness inappropriate behavior in or around the area, they should call 911 immediately.

"911 is not just for emergencies," the officers reminded residents, noting that, unfortunately, it is often difficult to get to the bike path in time to catch the individuals causing mischief.

The officers explained that in order to effectively catch anybody taking part in inappropriate activities in or around the bike path, they would have to have several officers assist.

"A lot of times it's hard to get to them," one of the officers said, explaining that at least two officers should enter the path if they want to be successful in catching the culprits and at least two should be on the other side, where they may be able to exit. "They see us and they run, so we would need officers on the other side too. That means we would need four cars to go there; we only have 17 cars for the precinct."

The officers further explained that since there aren't that many patrol officers available, if the precinct receives a call for possible loitering and another call for a robbery, they would have to prioritize and respond to the robbery immediately. They added that by the time they concluded with the robbery and got to the other complaint, it may be too late and the subjects in question could be long gone.

"We realize it's occurring more in the summertime," one of the officers said regarding the complaints coming from the areas around the bike path. Residents suggested that officers on bicycles should patrol the area more frequently, which would hopefully deter teenagers from hanging out in there.

"We have two bike guys who work the entire precinct," one of the officers explained. "They can go in there for about an hour and then they have to move on." He added that while the officers used to patrol nightly, they are now only permitted to do so on Fridays and Saturdays.

Residents, who toured the bicycle path with the officers with flashlights in hand, wondered then if there was any realistic solution to the problem. Officers stated that if a resident who sees inappropriate behavior calls the police right away, then somebody should be able to get down in time to catch the suspect(s). Some residents, officers and local elected officials noted that having neighbors work with police departments in an effort to solve crime has proven to be successful in other communities.

CCAF President Mike Grello told residents that they have to continue to work with the officers.

"The cops can't see all the crimes," he said. "We have to help them. Thanks to the Eighth Precinct POP Unit and the Town of Oyster Bay; we've removed a lot of graffiti from the area," Grello noted, adding that it hasn't resurfaced. An officer on hand added that in Levittown, residents have been successful, in working with the police department and Nassau County Crime Stoppers, in a town-wide graffiti removal project.

To help residents be aware of crimes, especially those committed by youngsters, officers explained that they often send home letters to parents.

"Kids of age (16) get an appearance ticket, which requires them to show up in court on a specific date," the officers explained. "POP officers often send home letters to parents of kids under 21 to notify them of what their children are doing."

Some residents also asked the officers if it were possible to have a patrol car on hand if there are several games being held at the high school, as oftentimes youngsters wander to the bike path and use drugs or alcohol.

Legislator Salvatore Pontillo noted that he will contact the department and see if a patrol car could be available when the school hosts any games. "We will work together, with the residents and the police department, to help solve these concerns," he said.

Assemblyman Steve Labriola agreed, stating that he will help coordinate with the police and residents and invited them to contact his office. To get the ball rolling, the assemblyman contacted the commanding officer of the state troopers for Farmingdale, who is currently working with the CCAF to make the police patrol more effective.

"They need to be there at the [proper] time and locations of the wooded area, which is something that they're not always aware of," Labriola said. The assemblyman added that he understands residents' frustrations when they attempt to contact the police department and don't always receive the response they desire.

"I think often people aren't sure where to go when they're not getting satisfaction from a particular government agency and that's when it's important to call their local elected official. I invite any residents to call me and I will put them in the right direction or resolve the problem from my office."

Ultimately, elected officials, who included Legislator Pontillo, Assemblyman Labriola and Oyster Bay Town Councilman Joe Muscarella, said that by working with the residents and cooperating with the police department, these problems can be solved.

Viceroy resident Dave Mejias noted that the police helped solve such problems in his community.

"There were kids defacing property, spraying graffiti and speeding," he said, noting that by working with residents to address the problems as they were happening, the majority of the issues were solved.

"We've seen it done in other communities and also here in Farmingdale," Grello said, reminding residents again to call 911 if they witness a disturbance. "We just have to work together as a community."