Nassau County Mulls Closing Police Precincts

A Long Island county is considering closing two of its eight police precincts to help close a $300 million-plus budget gap.

Nassau County acting police commissioner Thomas Krumpter discussed the closings Wednesday at a meeting of the county legislature. Krumpter says $15 million could be saved if two precinct houses are closed. He insists no patrol officers would be eliminated.

He also contends says the redrawn precincts would more evenly distribute calls among the remaining six precincts.

The police union has said the closures would imperil public safety.

Democrats are concerned because the specific precincts to be closed have not been identified. Krumpter says that is still being worked out.

The legislature must approve the closures, which are part of the 2012 county budget, by Oct. 30.