By Hank Russell
A Nassau County-based citizens watchdog group is calling on County Executive Bruce Blakeman to tell the truth about the proposed militia, including why this is needed, the standards for deployment, and the financial impact on the taxpayers, They also asked how the county will manage exposure to liability from injuries caused by those who have been deputized but inadequately trained and all the other questions that have been asked repeatedly by the public.
The Nassau Residents for Good Government (NRGG) also urged Blakeman to follow the law and provide the FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) information as requested by the public. The NRGG accused Blakeman of ignoring multiple requests for information about the militia. Last August, the NRGG filed a FOIL request, but has yet to receive a response.
On February 4, 2025, Legislators Debra Mulé (D-Freeport) and Scott Davis (D-Rockville Centre) filed a lawsuit against Blakeman and Sheriff Anthony J. LaRocco to disclose information about the militia. In response, Blakeman filed a counterclaim, accusing them of partisan politics, using the courts to advance their ideological objectives, and inhibiting his right to convey his message to the public, according to the NRGG.
The group claimed Blakeman was “attempting to bastardize” the anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) provision in the Civil Rights Law and “trying to pervert the use of SLAPP to punish those who demand accountability from him on his secretive militia.”
“What chutzpah to countersue when the issue is his failure to comply with the law!” the NRGG stated.
As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, Blakeman announced a plan to deputize armed citizens to assist local law enforcement in certain situations. The plan was blasted by Democrats, community advocates and retired law enforcement personnel over the proposed initiative. LILP also reported that the NRGG called on New York Attorney General Letitia James to investigate the deputy plan.
Paula Frone, a Glen Cove resident and a member of NRGG’s leadership, said, “Mr. Blakeman’s pattern of conduct is to act on his own, regardless of the legality of his actions, and to shield his actions with insulting statements and threats of retaliation.”
LILP’s attempts to reach Blakeman’s office were unsuccessful.