Library Shutdown Sparks Outrage Over Democrat Crime Policies

The cashless bail policy of the Democrats has come under fire as rampant drug activity, theft, vandalism, and threats to public safety have forced the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library to curtail services at its Neighborhood Road branch, with plans to shut down the facility for approximately three months before reopening it as a programming center.

The decision has sparked outrage over conditions along Neighborhood Road, where residents have complained about drug dealing, loitering, and criminal activity that have made them fearful of visiting the downtown business district.

“You're losing library services because the Democrats keep on passing more pro-criminal crap, said Senator Dean Murray, who was on his way to the branch to shoot a video to highlight the problem. “If this isn't a wake-up call, I don't know what is.”

Murray singled out Josh Slaughter, the Democrat candidate challenging Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, warning that electing more Democrats to Albany would compound the problem.

“You want more of this? Send Josh Slaughter to the assembly, see if that fixes it,” Murray said. “That's not gonna fix it. It's gonna make it worse. It's like pouring gasoline on the fire and thinking the arsonist is going to put it out.”

Assemblyman DeStefano, who has fought to repeal cashless bail, also condemned the situation.

“Cashless bail has turned our criminal justice system upside down. The criminals have more rights than the victims, the police are being handcuffed by Albany, and now the residents of Mastic Beach are losing library services because people are afraid to walk down the street. This is absolutely disgraceful,” DeStefano said.

The Neighborhood Road branch is scheduled to close at the end of December for approximately three months before reopening as a specialized programming center. Books will be transferred to the system's Shirley and Moriches branches.

Until then, the library will close at 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday instead of 9 p.m. Sunday hours remain noon to 4 p.m.

Library Board President Joseph Maiorana attributed the changes to persistent safety concerns, including drug dealing, theft, and threatening behavior, despite the presence of security personnel.

Suffolk County police responded to 45 calls at the library so far this year, including 16 disturbances, 11 alarms, four criminal incidents, two larcenies, and reports involving vandalism and domestic violence.

Two Seventh Precinct officers conducted foot patrols along Neighborhood Road from May through mid-September, issuing 15 open-container summonses and making two drug arrests. Another arrest followed an August 23 shooting. Police have since increased patrols across all three shifts.

New York's cashless system prevents judges from holding defendants for any number of crimes, allowing repeat offenders to return to the streets.

“They give them an appearance ticket and they laugh at you, and they turn around and they go back to doing the exact same thing because there are no consequences whatsoever,” Murray said. “It's just a revolving door.”

Residents attending a recent Pattersquash Creek Civic Association meeting expressed fears about going downtown. “I’m afraid to walk on Neighborhood Road. I want to take my grandchildren for ice cream but it’s too dangerous,” said one senior citizen.

“It really makes me sad to hear that the activity in the area is so out of hand that the library will be shutting its doors for over a quarter of a year,” said resident Dylan Burns. “A place of resources for everyone of all ages, taken away by drugs and violence.”

Library Trustee Chris Ricciardi said patrons can see drug transactions and people shooting up outside the windows. “We’re not going to let this stop us from serving the community. We’re not giving up.”

Murray said police are frustrated by repeatedly arresting suspects only to see them released under state law.

“I don't blame the police. They're doing their job. They're banging their heads against the wall because they arrest them. They do what they're supposed to, and they're required by the cashless bail law to let them out,” he noted.

DeStefano called for restoring judicial discretion and strengthening penalties for repeat offenders.

“I have fought these reckless bail laws since they were enacted, and I will continue fighting until we restore common sense to our criminal justice system. Our families should be able to visit the library, shop downtown, and take their children for ice cream without worrying about drug dealers, violence, and criminals who have no fear of being arrested,” DeStefano said.

Meanwhile, the community hopes the proposed $500 million Beechwood redevelopment of Neighborhood Road, including housing, stores, restaurants, and public spaces, will eventually transform the deteriorating downtown.

Murray said the immediate solution rests with Albany. “Why? Because of the pro-criminal policies of the Democrat leadership in Albany,” Murray said. “You want to fix it. Do not vote for another Democrat to go to Albany. That's the only way we're going to fix this.”