Gonsalves Reacts After Precinct Vote Passes

As Patch reported Monday, Nassau County Legislators to approve County Executive Ed Mangano's to merge the county's precincts from eight to four.

The 10-9 vote was one of three such totals on the day – the other two coming on votes for commissioner and tabling the precinct vote until next week.

Legis. Norma Gonsalves, R-East Meadow, was one of the 10 that voted for the plan, although she said that she asked a lot of questions before giving her endorsement.

"I understand that it’s a work in progress, but today, we simply voted on giving the authority to the commissioner to implement the plan," Gonsalves said. "If there are changes to be made, or if there is an assessment to be done to make sure that public safety is promoted and the services continue, that will be looked at."

Gonsalves also said she doesn't expert service to be curtailed in any way. There will still be 177 patrol cars, and 48 additional officers will be on the street as well.

Also, Gonsalves said a common misconception is that the individual precincts take the 911 calls, but that is reserved for the recently opened public safety center in Westbury, so officer response time should not be affected by the plan.

"My major priority is public safety," Gonsalves added. "It continues to guide me in making any decisions regarding the plan and I will certainly continue to keep in touch with the commissioner. If there are concerns with my constituents, I will address them as I have in the past."

Gonsalves also said that the commissioner will have to frequently update the legislature on the progression of the plan as well.

"It’s not cast in stone," she said. "He will have to come back to us if there are any changes to the plan whatsoever."

How will the new plan change the way the police currently operate? Or do you think the new plan will not affect operations whatsoever? Tell us in the comments.