After a seven-year absence, the ribbon was finally cut on the Sixth Precinct of the Nassau County Police, which officially reopened in Manhasset on Thursday.
The precinct had reopened on April 9, but the ceremony was touted by its host, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, as the “official reopening” of the previously dark station house.
In addition to Curran, local dignitaries from the Nassau County Legislature, Town of North Hempstead and the New York State Senate gathered as the county executive and County Legislator Ellen Birnbaum cut the ribbon. Curran said in a release from her office that “community policing is in the county’s DNA.”
“We are committed to building on our successful community policing model, and the newly renovated and reopened Sixth Precinct helps us do just that,” Curran said. “Our continued commitment to community policing is a key reason why major crime rates have hit record lows in Nassau County.”
While Curran had previously been against reopening the precinct, Following comments from residents, civic associations and the Town of North Hempstead, the administration and the county Legislature acted in support of reopening the Sixth Precinct, which was absorbed into the Third Precinct in Williston Park in 2012.
The merger was directed by then Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, in a consolidation measure that he said would save money without hurting public safety. It was vehemently opposed by elected officials and residents in the area covered by the Sixth Precinct.
With its reopening, the 46-year-old station house received renovations to its lobby and HVAC system, performed by members of the Civil Service Employees Association Local 830. The workers were thanked by Nassau County’s Superior Officers Association president Kevin Black.
“We are thankful for the great job our county’s CSEA workers have performed in reconstruction of the Sixth Precinct,” Black said. “They did outstanding work, in an expeditious manner, and our members will now have the Station House they desperately need and deserve in which to carry out their duties.”
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the enhancements would improve the environment for assigned staff.
“During the refurbishments, both inside and out, our goal was to ensure a professional environment for the community and the staff that were assigned to the building,” Ryder said. “Now that the renovation is complete, I would like to thank our residents and the staff of the Police Department for their patience.”
The Sixth Precinct will cover the areas of Manhasset, East Hills, Flower Hill, Great Neck Plaza, Harbor Hills, Manorhaven, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome, Plandome Manor, Plandome Heights, Roslyn, Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Heights, Roslyn Harbor, Great Neck, Greenvale, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock, Sea Cliff, Thomaston, Glen Head, Glenwood Landing, and University Gardens, making it the largest precinct in the county.
“Today’s re-opening of the Sixth Precinct fulfills the promise that we made to our residents to enhance community policing,” Ryder said.
