Nassau militia, Long Island power grid, mom in wrong-way crash

Different views on Nassau militia

Suffolk County authorizes its properly trained auxiliary police to carry weapons. Other auxiliary police units throughout the state also authorize their properly trained auxiliary police personnel to carry weapons. Auxiliary police and volunteer deputies are essentially the same; both are sworn, part time peace officers, in adherence with existing New York State law.

Making unsubstantiated and unproven accusations that they will intimidate minorities and interfere with November’s elections is sinking low and can even be considered racist. Why are the Democrats singling out Nassau County and making an issue out of something that is commonly done elsewhere in this state? “Deputies program challenged,” News, March 5.]

These volunteers are no different from any other trained volunteer first responders such as firefighters or Emergency Medical Service personnel. Instead of ostracizing and challenging these brave volunteers, the Democrats should be commending them and thanking them for their service.

— Vincent J. Cristiano, Ronkonkoma

I am shocked that Nassau County, the nation’s safest county, has an armed militia, controlled and deployed by County Executive Bruce Blakeman for when he deems a time of crisis. Do we really need and want an armed militia here? We already have a well-trained and qualified police force. Can you imagine what could happen?

— Michael Thomas, Sea Cliff

When Laura Curran and Tom Suozzi were Nassau County executives, they presided over America’s safest county as Bruce Blakeman does now. However, Blakeman’s appointment to his private militia of an unqualified relative, a physician, several men over 70, and individuals with prior arrests leaves us with little faith he is keeping us safe.

Nassau is short on detectives. Yet just before President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration, a Blakeman agreement took seasoned detectives off local cases to help U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deport law-abiding immigrants. And now, more than 160 experienced officers are leaving because of Blakeman’s retirement incentives.

Coupled with Blakeman’s creation of an untrained private militia, how can Nassau maintain real public safety while experienced, well-trained officers are gone?

With the FBI firing agents specialized in Iran counterintelligence and a shift of focus to immigration, we are left vulnerable to terrorist threats.

Blakeman’s policies have resulted in the loss of experienced officers, heightening fear among immigrant families. It will possibly leave the county dependent on an inexperienced and less accountable force when we are at heightened alert.

— Claudia Borecky, Merrick

The writer is president of the Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club.

Strengthening grid a priority that can’t wait

Electric bills have everyone asking cost questions [“Bottom lines of climate change,” Letters, March 12]. But one is missing: What’s the cost of not investing in our energy delivery network?

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which oversees grid reliability, reported that grid constraints increase costs for consumers, noting downstate New Yorkers paid more than double the cost of electricity compared with other parts of the state during summer heat waves. In January, the extreme cold triggered expensive emergency operations to maintain service.

Higher energy prices are not the only outcome of grid strain; it can also lead to costly power reliability disruptions. NYISO has warned of an electricity reliability shortfall on Long Island starting next year. According to NYISO, “As extreme weather becomes more frequent and complex, transmission investments like Propel NY will play an essential role in strengthening New York’s ability to maintain reliability in all seasons.”

Research firm Grid Strategies cautions that for every year of $1 billion delayed transmission investment, consumers lose $150 million to $370 million annually in benefits.

Core infrastructure upgrades cost money, but they also are the cornerstone of our economy and safety. Delaying investments means New Yorkers will keep paying more for less.

The cost of inaction is real.

— Steve Cole-Hatchard, Garden City

The writer is New York Transco project director for Propel NY Energy.

She never should have been driving

Reading Kerri A. Bedrick’s rap sheet and other personal history, one is left to wonder how it is possible that this person was walking the streets, let alone driving a car [“Judge: LI mom not fit for trial,” News, March 11]. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that this person would cause the death of at least one innocent person. When will this broken system that repeatedly allows people like this to roam the streets be repaired so they are not more of a priority than their victims?

— Drew Oringer, Syosset