Police Official: First Precinct to Remain for "Immediate Future"

Written by Andrew Coen

The Nassau County First Precinct will be remaining intact for “the immediate future.”

This was the message conveyed by Nassau County Police Chief of Department Steven Skrynecki during Monday night’s North Bellmore Civic Association meeting when the issue of precinct consolidation was brought up. The First Precinct in Baldwin was originally slated to be absorbed by the Seventh Precinct in Seaford last December before being postponed at that time due to ongoing recovery efforts with Hurricane Sandy along Nassau County’s South Shore. The merger was then scheduled to go in effect in April before being once again being called off after three other police consolidations had been executed.

“That plan in this existing situation where we are not consolidating those two precincts remains,” said Skrynecki, who spoke at Monday’s North Bellmore Civic Association meeting about police safety issues with First Precinct Inspector Joseph McGrane. “There is no plan in the immediate future for consolidation of the one and seven.”

Skrynecki said during Monday’s meeting held at the North Bellmore Public Library that plans are moving forward for a new First Precinct headquarters in Baldwin across from their longtime building. The First Precinct covers parts of Bellmore, Merrick and Wantagh along with East Meadow, Roosevelt, Baldwin, Uniondale and South Hempstead.

Crime is down around 20 percent in the First Precinct compared to a year ago, according to Skrynecki. Inspector McGrane, a North Bellmore native, urged residents who attended Monday’s meeting to do their part to keep their neighborhoods safe.

“We’re doing very well combatting crime but we can do better if we have help from all the residents,” Inspector McGrane said. “Lock your cars and lock your homes.”