Jacobs Blasts 'Pie in the Sky' Precinct Plan

wants answers concerning 's new plan to consolidate county police precincts.

Jacobs, D-Woodbury, cited lack of research and an unresourceful Mangano administration as evidence the consolidation plan is simply a bad idea. Mangano claims the merger would increase police efficiency while saving $20 million.

"Is it really good governing to decrease police presence in our communities, especially when we are ," said Jacobs, citing a concern for excess workloads and wider jurisdictions.

, which could take up to six months to implement, would consolidate Nassau's eight precincts into four. The Second Precinct, which covers Woodbury and Syosset, would remain intact and extend its territory south of Old Country Road in Plainview well into Massapequa.

The Eighth Precinct, based in Levittown, would be converted into a "community policing center," manned by two officers.

"I am pleased the Second Precinct is to remain open and concerned that the Eighth Precinct is being closed," said Jacobs. "There will be more responsibilities given to the sergeants at the Second having to function with fewer people processing a larger volume."

"Keeping residents safe is my number one priority," Mangano insisted Monday. "This plan keeps all 177 patrols cars in their current neighborhoods, assigns more cops to POP and opens four new community policing centers throughout the county while increasing efficiencies."

Many questions need answering before the proposal goes into effect, said Jacobs.

"What are the associated costs with these supposed savings?…How does this really affect residents who pay high taxes and value their excellent police services?…We need answers which are accompanied by documentation, not just 'pie in the sky' statements."

The proposal would require the approval of the Nassau County Legislature and is likely to cause heated public debate.