Senate Passes Three Major Vehicle Safety Bills

State Senator Kemp Hannon

Three new pieces of legislation were passed by the Senate which deal with motor vehicle safety and the unsafe operation of a vehicle.

We passed three new bills to crack down on wrong way and reckless drivers, added tougher DUI legislation, and legislation to curb illegal high-speed racing. We need to let those who might engage in unsafe and illegal activities that there will be severe consequences for their actions.

“Michelle and Jordan’s Law,” (S.2938) will increase penalties for unlawful high-speed car racing. The legislation is named for a 17-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy whose deaths were caused by crashes stemming from suspected drag racing at excessive speeds. The bill will create stiffer penalties which should help prevent high-speed vehicle racing and raise awareness of the risks posed by this dangerous activity.

A second bill, S.3452, will create felony charges for wrong-way and other reckless drivers. This legislation is in response to a significant number of arrests and car crashes caused by individuals who drove under the influence and drove the wrong way on our streets and highways. The bill will give law enforcement and prosecutors a valuable tool to make our roads safer.

Finally, “Abbagail’s Law” (S.164), named for a young girl tragically killed when a ‘supervising driver’ was under the influence of alcohol, was passed by the Senate. This legislation will create the crime of aggravated supervising a driver while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and would be a Class E felony, and closes a loophole in the law by holding supervising drivers accountable for their irresponsible actions. A supervising driver is an adult who is not actually driving, but is accompanying a young, inexperienced driver.

All too often we read or see a news story of the death of a young person in a tragic accident. In most or all of those cases, the deaths could have been prevented. These bills will not only send a strong message that irresponsible and potentially deadly behavior will not be tolerated, but those who are guilty of such acts will be severely punished.

All three of these bills have been sent to the Assembly.

Eagle Scout

Franklin Square resident and Boy Scout Nick Ferreiro, of Troop 485, received the Eagle Scout Award — the highest honor of the Boy Scouts — on Jan. 8 at 3 p.m., at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in New Hyde Park.

Ferreiro, a student at Syracuse University, with an interest in broadcasting and sports reporting, began his Scout career as a member of Cub Scout Pack 485, based in Franklin Square, earning his Arrow of Light and then graduating to Troop 485 in February 2004. He then earned 35 merit badges as a Boy Scout, which includes 21 required Eagle Scout badges, and held several leadership positions within the troop, including Senior Patrol Leader. He is currently Troop 485’s Assistant Scoutmaster.

Ferreiro’s Eagle Scout project included a revamping and reorganization of his church youth group’s sports equipment. He also wrote programs on how to use all of the equipment and games that could be played.

Among various projects in 2011, Ferreiro participated with fellow Scouts on a clean-up project for the Tanglewood Preserve Science Center in Rockville Centre. Troop 485, which has been located in Franklin Square for nearly 40 years and is hosted by the Wesley United Methodist Church, includes members from Franklin Square and West Hempstead.

Daily Report

2/6/2012 999 HOLZHEIMER ST FRANKLIN SQUARE 503
St Catherine of Sienna School
12:00 -
School officials reported observing a suspicious male, unknown race and age, on the second floor of above
listed location. School officials stated that the male was wearing a green bomber jacket, gray baggie pants,
white sneakers and gloves. School officials did run after suspicious male but lost sight of him and were unsure
if he was still in the building. Doors leading up to the roof were open which were not supposed to be. PO’s
Cardinale and Greenseich searched the roof area with negative results. School had been locked down prior to
police arrival by school officials. An extremely thorough search of the building was conducted by NCPD
officers and School officials with negative results. A Roll Call of teachers and their classes was also
conducted to account for all students and teachers. School then resumed normal operation

Silver Alert

Age  82
Race AFRICAN AMERICAN
Sex M
Height 5'03''
Weight 280 LBS
Hair GRAY
Eyes BROWN

MISSING REQUIRES MEDICATION FOR HEART PROBLEMS. MISSING IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM.

LAST SEEN ON 2/6/2012 AT 13:00

In Remembrance

In Remembrance of those who served with pride,
giving their lives in the line of duty.
Police Memorial Park, located in front of police headquarters
in Mineola, honors the 29 members who gave their lives while protecting the residents of our County.

Deception Burglaries

212CR0007524 1/30/2012 13:25 - BUSCHER AVE VALLEY STREAM 517

Complainant reports a M/W in his late 20's, average build, with dark hair, wearing an orange vest asking her if she needed work done in her driveway. Complainant refused and closed her door. Complainant saw subject go to her neighbors house and then drive away in a gray pick up truck heading west. Complainant got a partial plate of ORD.

Analyst note: There have been similar incidents involving deception burglaries throughout the county.

OTHER NY `f ORD

Daily Report

1/26/2012 10:30 - WASHINGTON ST FRANKLIN SQUARE 503
While Complainant was walking home from school, listed vehicle did approach her and stop in the roadway.
Operator stated, “Come in, I’ll give you a ride.” Complainant became frightened and ran towards New Hyde
Park Road. Vehicle initially followed Complainant, but ultimately made a right turn and drove northbound on
New Hyde Park Road. Operator is described as a M/B, 40 years old, stocky build, with close-cropped short
dreadlocks, and wearing a black shirt.
SUSP-VH GOLD

212CR0006621 1/26/2012 18:40 - NASSAU BLVD WEST HEMPSTEAD 507
Listed Suspects knocked on the side door of Complainant’s home, asking her if she needed home
improvements done. Suspects were neatly dressed and advised Complainant that her windows were old and
asked if she wanted replacement windows installed. Complainant stated she was not interested, at which point
Suspects left scene in an unknown direction. Due to recent cases of burglaries committed by individuals under
the pretense of home improvement work, Complainant called police.