Crime victim, Maddie Brown, speaks out. Merrick Life photo by Diana Driscoll
by Laura Schofer
Maddie Brown was robbed at gun point last fall, right in the driveway of her home on Chapin Avenue in North Merrick.
“I went out to my car at about 8:45 in the evening and someone came up behind me and put a gun to my neck,” said Mrs. Brown. “I was screaming my head off. He pushed me into my house and when he heard my husband [in the house] he ran off. It was a very frightening experience.”
This incident, along with what North Merrick Civic Association President Claudia Borecky described as a “string of brazen criminal acts” in North Merrick, spurred neighbors to create a Neighborhood Watch that now has more than “500 participants and continues to grow,” said Ms. Borecky.
On Thursday, June 25, the Association unveiled its first community watch sign to let criminals know that residents mean business. The sign is on the corner of Chapin Avenue and William Street in North Merrick. This is the first of 13 such signs that will be erected in the Merricks to help deter crime.
“Even though crimes statistics show that Nassau County is a safe place to live and Merrick is a very safe place, the Neighborhood Watch makes it even safer,” said county Legislator David Denenberg.
Ms. Borecky explained that in January she went door-to-door “to get the message out to everyone.” There was also a public meeting that brought more than 150 residents to the library. Ms. Borecky said the “POP [Problem-Oriented Police] officers from the First Precinct have been wonderful in helping us set up the neighborhood watch.”
Legislator Denenberg said, “The police need to be commended for all they do but they can’t be every place all the time. The Neighborhood Watch can be the eyes and ears of the community. If you see something suspicious call 911. Who better to know the community than the people who live there?” he said.
Bob Spampinato, the Northwest program director for the Neighborhood Watch, explained that the Neighborhood Watch is divided into five regions. “We have wonderful volunteers. We live here and we want to make it better.”
Resident Lenny Goldstein added, “people in the area are only too happy to do their part and keep an eye out, to watch and notify our neighbors.”
Ms. Borecky agreed. “We have already had some instances when we’ve helped to curb crime.”
In addition to the assistance provided by Legislator Denenberg, Ms. Borecky thanked the police and Hempstead Town Councilwoman Angie Cullin for their support, as well as the town for providing the signs that will be erected in Merrick.