Recycling Thieves Still an Issue in East Meadow

In April, Patch Peter and Vicky Lodise, and how their pursuit of recycling thieves led to the thieves' apprehension.

The problem is back.

East Meadow resident Bill Alderman recently spoke at the Council of East Meadow Civic Organizations (CEMCO) meeting about a recent incident when strangers attempted to steal his recyclables.

"I caught them stealing the paper," Alderman said. "They were stealing all the paper from the entire block."

The purpose of the thefts, Alderman says, is so that they can sell residents' personal information for identity theft scams.

“Throw coffee grinds on those papers, or put them in your regular trash, even if you’re shredding them,” Legis. Norma Gonsalves, R-East Meadow said at a CEMCO meeting earlier this year. “Do whatever you have to do, just protect yourself.”

Elizabeth Fries, who is Gonsalves' legislative aide, says that thieves can target empty prescription drug bottles to steal identities as well.

"You need to take every precaution," Fries said. "Either rip off the labels before putting them in your recycling bin or black out the information with marker."

If residents witness recycling thefts in East Meadow, you can call the First Precinct at 516-573-6141 or the Third Precinct 516-573-6341.