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Peter Schmitt Watch

Keeping tabs on Nassau County Legislator Peter J. Schmitt. The truth is here.

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Cheap Shot? Sure is!

Having lost a great friend to a drunk driver, we don't look too kindly on unrepentent drunk drivers. The first time might be a "mistake" but the second is a willful disregard for safety and common sense.
Be careful Peter, Massapequa is being watched....

Driving Crackdown Targets Massapequa
Nassau County officials have begun an increased enforcement for DWI and Aggressive Driving at more than 24 traffic "hot spots" across the county and vistas in the Massapequa area are among them.
Police have increased patrols at the hot spots as part of a fall traffic enforcement initiative designed to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities, said County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. The hot spots were identified by police using TRAFFIC-STAT, a new statistical tracking and analysis tool.
In Massapequa, areas of increased patrol are Sunrise Highway and Unqua Road in Massapequa and Sunrise Highway and Park Boulevard in Massapequa Park.

"We are determined to protect the hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors who use our roads as they travel to work, school and play," Suozzi said. "We are using the latest technology and management techniques while demanding accountability of police officers, supervisors and commanding officers as we vigorously enforce the traffic laws to reduce drunken and aggressive driving."
The increased patrols began in late August and will continue throughout the fall driving season, Suozzi said.
Police Commissioner James Lawrence said the initiative is designed to save lives and decrease the number of accidents on county roadways. "While the Nassau County Police Department is always vigilant in enforcing traffic laws, this initiative gives the Nassau County Police Department the additional resources to combat the most dangerous drivers on our roads," said Commissioner Lawrence. "Our goal is to take measures to reduce auto accidents by targeting aggressive and impaired drivers with the objective of reducing deaths and injuries to the motoring public."
Under TRAFFIC-STAT, police commanders from each precinct make regular reports to the police commissioner and to the chief of patrol concerning recent fatalities, accidents, summons activity, DWI incidents and any hot spots within their respective precincts. Deputy County Executive for Public Safety Timothy Driscoll also receives regular briefings on the program. TRAFFIC-STAT is modeled after the NASS-STAT program that has resulted in Nassau County's lowest crime rate in more than 30 years.
Additional enforcement throughout the county will be guided by the TRAFFIC-STAT program. The Highway Patrol Bureau and each of the eight precincts in the County will deploy extra officers on highways and local roads. These officers' efforts will be focused on finding and arresting drunk drivers, and will also target aggressive driving activity such as speeding and tailgating.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Katrina Relief Organizations

With thanks to The Community Alliance

Red Cross:Telephone: 1-800-HELP-NOW
https://www.redcross.org/
Secure E-Donations: Red Cross' Donate Now Page AmeriCares:americares.org
United Jewish Communities: 1-877-277-2477 or http://www.ujc.org/ Episcopal Relief & Development: 1-800-334-7626 or http://www.er-d.org/ United Methodist Committee on Relief: 1-800-554-8583 or http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emergency/hurricanes/2005/
Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY or http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
Catholic Charities: 1-800-919-9338 or http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
Operation Blessing: 1-800-436-6348 or www.ob.org
America's Second Harvest: 1-800-344-8070 or www.secondharvest.org National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: www.nvoad.org
FEMA Charity tips: http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm