Broadway Mall Welcomes Police Presence on Premises

By Christopher Grillo

The Broadway Mall and the Nassau County Police Department celebrated the grand opening of the 2nd Precinct substation last week. Distinguished by a blue and orange awning, these new police quarters are located at the rear of the complex approximately 500 yards south of the theater and food court entrance.

With police presence on the premises, mall officials hope to deter criminal behavior such as shoplifting and car stealing. Donald Kane, commissioner of the NCPD, was on hand to help cut the ceremonial ribbon.

"This is a perfect partnership. We now have the opportunity to serve the shoppers and merchants better," he said, battling the din of a chilly autumn breeze. "We're looking forward to a long-lasting relationship."

According to Nancy Gilbert, assistant manager of the Broadway Mall, the seeds of this relationship were planted several years ago. "We had already increased our security staff and worked out a great relationship with the 2nd Precinct long before this idea to have a police substation at the mall," she said, citing assistance from police officers Al Barnych and Lt. Steve Skrynecki of the 2nd Precinct's P.O.P. Unit.

In 1991, an unsettled dispute with a local civic association resurfaced when the mall's new owners proposed to construct a new movie theater near the northwest corner of the property. Residents in the area expressed concerns about the traffic and sizable crowds inevitably generated by the addition of a movie theater in the area.

"When you build a big theater, you attract more people and potentially more problems," said Len Ober, president of the civic association, citing traffic, noise problems, sufficient lighting for the parking area and the nature of the films played there as the residents' primary concerns.

The new mall management subsequently conferred with the civic association and agreed on the conditions required to allay the concerns of homeowners with adjacent properties, as well as the concerns precipitated by the proximity of a local school.

The mall property abutting Irving Court and Windsor, York and Prose streets on the west side and Nevada Street on the north side would eventually have a considerable berm installed, as well as new fences and landscaping to establish a satisfactory buffer zone. The major neighborhood victory - the addition of the police substation - was successfully instituted this week.

"This is a perfect location [for the substation] because the main entrance for the theater and food court is right around the corner," said Gilbert enthusiastically. "The residents were happy with how it worked out."

From the perspective of the merchants who do business in the mall, a police substation on the premises will not only serve as a deterrent for shoplifters but also will facilitate the effective prosecution of offenders.

In order to press charges, a storeowner was formerly required to travel to the precinct and wait throughout the formal arresting procedure, a process which, on average, takes two to three hours, said Inspector Vincent Muscarnera, the commanding officer of the 2nd Precinct.

"Merchants generally can't be away from their stores for that period of time, especially if it's a store with only two or three employees, and they would often decline to prosecute," he continued, pointing to the advantages of having a police station on the premises. "The intrusion to a storeowner will now only be about 10 to 15 minutes."

Gilbert expects this amended arresting procedure to send a powerful message to potential shoplifters. "Our merchants can now stay on site; hence, we'll be more apt to prosecute," she stated. "We'll show the shoplifters that it's not as easy to steal at this mall anymore."

Expecting a diminutive police booth (which are customarily comprised of little more than a desk, chair and a telephone), Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Tom Clark was pleasantly surprised to discover a legitimate substation. "This is an ideal set-up. With a substation like this, they can conduct their police business properly," he said triumphantly, adding, "The residents will love it. The merchants will love it. I love it."

Representing the residents of the northwest corner of Hicksville, Ober concurs with the councilman. "Just the presence of police makes the scene better," he confirmed. "As long as you know they're there, it will give the people some confidence and security."