Joseph P. Olivieri, 43, a Nassau police veteran since 1998 and Highway Patrol officer since 2005, was struck in the vicinity of North Hills between exits 34-36 in the eastbound lanes of the Long Island Expressway while investigating a motor vehicle accident at about 4:58 a.m. which occurred the HOV lane.
"My deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Nassau County Police Officer Joseph Olivieri of the Highway Patrol Bureau, who lost his life in the line of duty on [Thursday] while preforming his duties on the Long Island Expressway," County Executive Ed Mangano said in a statement. "Police Officer Olivieri’s dedication to keeping Nassau County safe deserves the highest recognition and sincere gratitude of our residents."
He is survived by his two children, Amanda, 21, and Daniel, 18, as well as his wife, Mary-Ann, father, Joseph Sr., and two brothers, Paul and Michael.
An Oakdale man Nassau County Police said was responsible for two early-morning crashes on the LIE has been charged in the death of Olivieri.
James Ryan, 25, was arraigned Friday on one count of second degree vehicular manslaughter and two counts of second degree reckless endangerment. In addition, Ryan faces charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated and leaving an incident without a report.
Click here to read more about why Ryan was charged.
Police Overtime Projected to Exceed $600K During Presidential Debate
Police overtime totals for Tuesday's presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney at Hofstra University were expected to exceed the $600,000 mark, according to reports.
Nassau County Police Insp. Kenneth Lack told Newsday [paid link] earlier this week that the county spent approximately $612,000 during the 2008 debate -- most of which went to overtime -- and that he expects Tuesday's debate to exceed the previous total.
"Nassau taxpayers will be on the hook for what's estimated to exceed $600,000 in county police overtime because no one reimburses local municipalities for security costs."
Lack cited two additional sources of concern for police, Newsday reported: the recent "occupy" movement and the tea party, both of whom sit on opposite sides of the political spectrum.
Assemblyman Jim Conte Dies
Three months after announcing he would not seek re-election to battle cancer, longtime state Assemblyman James Conte had died.
Conte, 53, represented the 10th Assembly district, which includes part of Farmingdale.
“These last few months have been a very difficult time for my family and me,” Conte said in July. “A diagnosis of cancer places tremendous strains on one’s family and I truly appreciate everyone’s support and well wishes.”
Click here to read more about the late James Conte.
Nassau Man Infected with Fungal Meningitis
New York State health officials confirmed Thursday that a Nassau County man has been diagnosed with fungal meningitis, which has been connected to tainted steroids linked to a New England pharmacy.
It is the first known case of the disease in New York.
Click here to read more about the case.
Schumer, Gillibrand: More Than $92,000 Coming to LI Police for New Bulletproof Vests
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced Wednesday that they have secured $92,652 for Long Island law enforcement entities from the U.S Department of Justice's Bulletproof Vest Partnership, a program Schumer co-sponsored that splits the cost of new body armor with localities -- this will provide enough funding for 772 vests.
Here is the breakdown on Long Island:
- Amityville Village to get $8,786.58 for 8 vests
- Town of East Hampton to get $6,920.79 for 23 vests
- Freeport Village to get $4,537.50 for 15 vests
- Garden City Village to get $17,493.00 for 42 vests
- Great Neck Estates Village to get $605.00 for 2 vests
- Town of Islip to get $1,405.68 for 25 vests
- City of Long Beach to get $4,814.56 for 15 vests
- Lynbrook Village to get $302.50 for 1 vest
- Nassau County to get $431.44 for 10 vests
- Town of North Hempstead to get $575.25 for 9 vests
- Port Washington Police District to get $1,173.00 for 3 vests
- Quogue Village to get $1,005.00 for 2 vests
- Rockville Centre Village to get $1,946.50 for 5 vests
- Town of Shelter Island $1,050.00 for 3 vests
- Southampton Township to get $12,656.14 for 20 vests
- Southampton Village to get $3,358.50 for 7 vests
- Suffolk County to get $25,411.26 for 567 vests
County Announces "Haunted Halloween at the Mysterious Village" at Old Bethpage Village Restoration
County Executive Mangano announced Monday that Old Bethpage Village Restoration will host "Haunted Halloween at the Mysterious Village" on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festivities will include: Monster “Scavenger” Hunt; Hear the tales of our local grave digger; Jack-O-Lanterns/Carving Demonstrations; Wear a Costume “ragamuffins” parade; Headless Horseman; Legend of Sleepy Hallow; Tarot Card Reader; Broom Making for Witches; Creepy Cooking Recipes; Grim Reaper; Hatter Shoppe; Pump Organ; Superstitions; Scarecrow Making; and Cider and Molasses Cookies.
Admission is $10 for adults and $ 7 for children; children under 5 are free. For more information about Old Bethpage Village Restoration please call (516) 572-8401.
1- I didn't know North Hempstead had a police department, I thought their area was covered by both NCPD and village departments 2-I think its the responsibility of the employer to provide this essential safety device to help protect the officers life. With that, why does a grant go towards something that should be mandatory. If my memory serves me correctly, isn't a vest part of the required equipment that is provided by NCPD to its officers as well as most if not all of the villages under contract. This money should be spent on other essential services and not on items that should be routinely provided.
In response to step #2, The vests are provided by Law Enforcement Depts. and while in uniform, or working an Enforcement duties. All vests are provided by Grants or Donations from Taxpayers, Federal and state Grants and Donations by Civic institutions. Vests are Not routinely provided. Most vests issued lbarely last a career,from Inclement weather to persiperation, wear and tear. The Vest IS as Essential as the weapon an Officer carries. As for step #1, The TONH Does Not have A Police Department, they have a Public Safety unit, and there status of being guards. Receiving this extra protection, is welcomed for there personal safety to perform duties.
Jaime Sumersille Regional Editor, Nassau County
Your statement: "In the City any city police officer can be sent to any borough, less overtime." Not a fact the way you wrote it....... UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTNCES.... and may incur additional overtime.. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTNCES...
This is a good example of why Gov't can not balance a budget and why we are in the fiscal crisis that we are.
Jaime Sumersille Regional Editor, Nassau County