Suffolk Notebook: Patrol Duties Still at Issue

The agreement to return patrol jurisdiction over the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway to Suffolk County Police continues to resonate.

Police Commissioner Edward Webber said Thursday at his confirmation hearing that the decision will not lead to officers being pulled from precinct duty to cover highway patrols.

Earlier in the week, some legislators expressed concern about what the new agreement would mean for the future.

County Exective Steve Bellone set aside a deal with deputies in the Sheriff’s Office to patrol the road through 2015. That agreement was made between former County Executive Steve Levy and the deputies’ union. Bellone, though, trying to conclude a contract with the police, said the deal with the deputies wasn’t binding on him.

Legislators, including Lou D’Amaro of Huntington Station, told Newsday that setting aside the deputies’ deal could set a bad precedent, though he supports the new contract with the police.

 Extra Utility Poles Targeted

A bill by Legis. Jay Schneiderman to reduce the number of extra utility poles on county roadsides has advanced. Designed to eliminate double poles was approved by the Public Works and Transportation Committee will go to the Legislature Tuesday.

The bill requires all double poles to be removed within a 90 day period from notification to the utility. Those left standing after 90 days would be subject to a monthly $1,000 fee.

Double poles occur when a new pole is put up and all wires are taken off the new one from the old. Other utilities wiring often remain on the new pole, though they are supposed to be moved. Even when all the wiring has moved, the old pole may remain in place, sometimes for years, Schneiderman said. As many as 12,000 double poles may exist, he said.