Cops Back on Foot in Downtown Mastic Beach

There will be an uptick in police presence with Suffolk officers back on foot patrol in the Mastic Beach Business District.

At the request of Legislator Jim Mazzarella and local business owners, officers from the county’s Seventh Precinct will hit the sidewalks along Neighborhood Road and the surrounding areas in the renewal of the patrols they’ve provided in the past.

“This is wonderful,” said Ava Torres, owner of Linsa Torr’s Place which had been recently burglarized. “The police officers are great; we open our doors to them. They can come in any time, get coffee, get a cold drink of water, use the bathroom. I'm very happy to see them.”

Local business owner Tony Porcelli, left, discusses the newlyactivated police foot patrol in Mastic Beach with Legislator Jim Mazzarella, Seventh Precinct Inspector William Doherty, and officers Ryan Kostoff and Jadin Rodriguez File Photo

“Residents deserve to feel safe and secure in their communities,” Legislator Mazzarella said as he made the rounds with the foot patrol last week. Stopping in local businesses and the Mastics Moriches Shirley Library annex, the legislator chatted it up alongside precinct Inspector William Doherty and officers Jadin Rodriguez and Ryan Kostoff. “You’ll definitely see more of a police presence,” the inspector assured the residents.

Library Director Kerri Rosalia talks with Legislator Jim Mazzarella as library Security Guard Robert Henn, left, looks on with Precinct Inspector William Doherty, and officers Ryan Kostoff and Jadin Rodriguez File Photo

“It takes a little from everyone to keep our community safe,” noted business owner Tony Porcelli. “The foot patrols are a big bonus.”

“We see the police on a regular basis,” noted Library Director Kerri Rosalia, “Especially around the time when the kids are coming home from school. Any incidents that we had have been manageable.”

"I strongly support a foot patrol in Mastic Beach," said Brookhaven Supervisor Edward Romaine. "There's a lot of nonsense that sometimes goes on that people don't want to see. Any type of police presence will discourage illegal activity. The last thing a criminal wants to do is get caught, even though they can get out of jail with the bail laws that the state has."

“This is a fabulous idea, everything helps,” said Dawn Mercedes of the Mercedes Meat Market on Neighborhood Road. “Everything helps.” The business owner, who said she’s been robbed four times, pointed out that the patrols should cut down on open container violations. “Characters walk around here with beers in their hands; this will deter that.” Mercedes said the enforcement of minor infractions will cut down on larger crimes. “It’s the Broken Windows Theory,” she explained. “People shouldn’t think they can get away with anything.”