By Hank Russell
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman joined law enforcement leaders at a press conference on August 19 to announce the recent arrests of over 40 gang members, with almost three-fourths of these arrestees having been in the country illegally.
Since August 13, the Nassau County Police Department has coordinated a sweeping takedown of gang members and other dangerous criminals across Nassau County that has led to 42 arrests, many of which involved drug and weapons charges. Half of the arrested individuals were known gang members from criminal organizations like MS-13, the 18th Street Gang, and The Trinitarios. Thirty-three of the 42 detained individuals have been transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody due to illegal status.
This operation represents one of the largest gang takedowns in Nassau County history. Blakeman stated that he is committed to working with all local and federal partners to get dangerous and illegal criminals off our streets.
“The message here today for those engaged in gang activity: not in this county!” he said. “We in Nassau County are grateful for the federal partnership we have with ICE, FBI, DEA, and other agencies. As a result, we are a safer community.”
Nassau County Commissioner of Police Patrick Ryder stated that local police will continue doing everything in their power to apprehend and detain dangerous gang members. He promised that officers are standing by to answer the call if criminal actions are taken in our communities.
“[The gang members] saw our response. The response will continue. If they try to bring up any retaliation in the gang world, we will be there to answer it,” Ryder said.
“These arrests are a testament to how committed we are in Nassau County to dismantling gangs and their toxic influence in our communities. But they are only the beginning. My office will continue to work closely with Commissioner Ryder and the police department to investigate, prosecute, and take down criminal organizations that put families at risk,” added District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Blakeman reiterated that he is doing everything in his power to protect Nassau County residents despite pro-criminal policies that have been enacted by state lawmakers. Since taking office, he has hired over 300 new police and correctional officers, opened a state-of-the-art police training village, and partnered with federal officials, all in the name of keeping Nassau the safest county in America.
“Crime is down in Nassau County,” Blakeman said. “We are the safest county in America. We are doing a great job – our police department, our sheriff’s department, probation, and our federal, state, and local partners working together are doing an outstanding job here.”