Friday, May 28, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement

“STOP-DWI” Memorial Day Weekend
Holiday Enforcement

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey, and Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today at a press conference that this up-coming holiday weekend the NCPD will participate in a “STOP-DWI” program that will allocate additional police officers to conduct an extensive DWI enforcement initiative.

The “STOP DWI” program is funded by DWI fines collected here in Nassau County and will provide the Nassau County Police Department with additional funding that will be utilized to implement an effective DWI saturation enforcement strategy that has proven very successful in years past. The NCPD’s Highway Patrol Bureau will coordinate and plan this initiative that will target certain areas throughout the county. During the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend in 2009, there were 65 DWI arrests made countywide.

“It has been no secret that Nassau County is tough on drunk drivers,” said County Executive Mangano. “No one is safe when there are drunk drivers on our roads. Last year there were 32 fatalities as a result of DWI. That’s 32 families destroyed needlessly. Had the drunk drivers involved in these fatalities been responsible in their decision making process, these 32 individuals would be here today with their families.”

“Since being appointed Police Commissioner, I have made no secret of the fact that I view drunk drivers and illegal guns equally lethal to the residents of our community,” said Commissioner Mulvey. “Our message is clear, if you drink and drive here in Nassau County you will be arrested and prosecuted. As of April 30th of 2010, we have made 1,180 DWI arrests this year and a total of 3,918 arrests last year. I urge everyone to be responsible and to plan accordingly not just this holiday weekend but always so that you and others return home safely to their loved ones.”

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice stated: “With the weather turning warmer, there will be parties, barbecues and celebrations all summer long. It is essential, however, that we all take on the responsibility of ensuring that our friends and family do not drink and drive. One reckless decision to drive drugged or drunk or to get into a car with someone else that is driving drugged or drunk may be the last thing you ever do. Don’t let this wonderful time of year end in tragedy.”

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Sewanhaka High School District Adopts New Harassment Policy

The Sewanhaka Central High School District adopted a new board policy on harassment, hazing and bullying at its Board of Education meeting on April 27. The board said it was committed to providing an environment that promotes respect and equality among its students.

Furthermore, the board stated that any type of bullying will not be tolerated in the district. But in terms of the new policy, it singles out the terms mentioned in physical, but also written, verbal and in electronic form. The board stressed that if any student has fallen victim to such a threat, to tell their parents and contact the district immediately.

According to the district’s agenda of the evening, it says that “if after appropriate investigation, the district finds that a student, an employee or a third party has violated this policy, prompt corrective action will be taken in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreement, district policy and state law.”

The board concluded that this policy extends toward communication that threatens another on the basis, “race, color, national origin, creed, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic status, class or club affiliation or other distinguishing characteristic.”

Trustee David Del Santo stressed at the meeting that the board needs to put this policy on the fast track as soon as possible to avoid harmful incidents. He feels that it’s a step in the right direction.

“I think that it’s imperative that this school board takes the harassing, hazing and bullying policy and fast track it and makes sure it gets wide dissemination and gives direction to the schools in the district,” he said. Del Santo went on to say that this policy will not only show if they’re doing their job right, but that it will give not only students the idea of the right course of action, but the administrators as well. “This new board policy, I think, will go a long way in giving direction to our administrators on how to proceed when an instance like this occurs,” he said.