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MANGANO OBTAINS GRANT FUNDS TO CONTINUE THE SURVEILLANCE APPREHENSION VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM – S.A.V.E.

Nassau Aims to Continue Reduction of Auto Insurance Fraud with S.A.V.E.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced June 7th that the Nassau County Legislature has approved a $125,000 ordinance, which will provide the funds needed for the continuation of the Nassau County Police Department’s Surveillance Apprehension Vehicle Enforcement Program (S.A.V.E.).

Nassau County secured a grant from the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services to assign police officers and detectives to identify and arrest persons who commit the crime of vehicle theft and/or related insurance fraud in targeted high vehicle theft locations.  The grant will also provide Nassau County Police Officers (NCPD) with specialized training and seminars to identify the specific characteristics common to vehicle insurance fraud, and crimes related to motor vehicle theft.

According to a statistical analysis that was done, false reports to law enforcement and costly pay-outs by insurance companies have caused regional insurance rates to rise.  With the help of the grant provided by the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services, the officers of the Nassau County Police Department’s S.A.V.E. program will continue to investigate insurance fraud, fraudulently reported stolen vehicles and staged motor vehicle accidents.

“Motor vehicle insurance fraud is unacceptable,” said County Executive Mangano. “We will not allow individuals who cheat and defraud the system to waste taxpayer money and cause insurance companies to increase their rates. The officers of the Nassau County S.A.V.E. Program will continue to carefully investigate fraudulently reported stolen vehicles and staged motor vehicle accidents to insure the reduction of these occurrences in Nassau County.”

The S.A.V.E. officers will be able to track, and further investigate these fraudulent reports by thoroughly reviewing stolen vehicle reports and identifying the key signs of fraud.  Once the S.A.V.E. officers identify potential fraudulent vehicles, they will commence an investigation along with the detectives of the Crimes Against Property Squad (CAP) and utilize all resources available.  Once potential offenders are identified the CAP Squad will then initiate enforcement of suspected motor vehicle related crimes at scrap yards and vehicle dismantlers.

In an additional effort to continue the battle with Auto Insurance Fraud, County Executive Mangano has joined the members of New Yorkers Stand Against Insurance Fraud (NYSAIF) to urge the passage of the “Fraud Tax Bill,” which would increase the penalties for organized criminals who are driving up automobile insurance costs by taking advantage of New York’s no fault laws.  According to the Insurance Information Institute, a group of industry experts, Nassau County residents pay 130% more for auto insurance on average than drivers across the nation largely due to the “no fault insurance” fraud crisis.

Mangano To Explore Privatizing Nassau Bus Service

In light of a threat by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to cut $40 million in funding which would eliminate Long Island Bus, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano today announced he will immediately form a committee that would explore the privatizing bus service.  

“It is just outrageous that the MTA would consider eliminating this funding and stranding about 100,000 riders without any way to get to work, college or to see a doctor,” said Mangano. “The taxpayers of Nassau County can no longer be shaken down by the MTA who’s only concern is funding their bloated bureaucracy. I am offended by the MTA’s threats and pure arrogance, and for that reason we will begin to explore the privatization of LI Bus as several cities and states have begun to do.”

In recent months, the MTA slashed its Able Ride service which was the primary mode of transportation for many people with disabilities. The agency has also eliminated 11 routes completely and reduced service on eight others. But the MTA has continued to hire high-level employees at the same time as cutting their service.

Despite Nassau County paying the MTA payroll tax which provides the Authority with $1.6 million more than prior years, the MTA continues to cut services and hike fares on Long Island families and seniors.

“High taxes kill jobs, and that’s exact what the MTA has done,” said Mangano.  “After placing a job-killing tax on employers, we now learn they plan cut critical bus service for employees to get to work.  It’s no wonder we have the most uncompetitive business environment in the nation.”

Mangano said he will begin meetings to form the committee this week.

“There is much to discuss if we are going to take a serious look at privatizing Nassau’s bus service,” said Mangano. “One thing is for certain: my administration will exhaust every avenue to make sure those who rely on the public bus system for their transportation are not further disenfranchised by the MTA.”

While the MTA continues to blame its financial woes on everyone but itself, they also continue to expand their bloated management.  Yesterday, local news sources discovered the Authority is poised to spend more than $1 million to hire 11 additional managers and executives despite 38 percent of their operating budget already dedicated to salaries ($4.2 billion), and nearly 12 percent of that amount related to overtime (over $400 million). 

As noted in a report released June 24, 2009 by the highly respected, non-partisan Empire Center for New York State Policy, over 10 percent of the MTA's employees (8,214 in total) make $100,000 or more annually.