Guest Opinion: Joseph Maiorana, President, Board of Trustees, Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library

We welcome Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine's announcement of a new police substation across from our Mastic Beach branch, along with increased police patrols and other measures intended to improve safety along Neighborhood Road. These are positive developments for the entire Mastic Beach community, and we hope they will lead to meaningful, lasting improvements.

When the Mastic Beach branch opened in January 2023, we envisioned it as an anchor for the revitalization of Neighborhood Road. We believed then, as we do today, that a strong public library can play an important role in strengthening a community.

Unfortunately, the safety and quality-of-life challenges facing this area did not begin with the Library's opening, nor have they been resolved in the years since. Despite substantial investments in security, cooperation with law enforcement, and partnerships with social service organizations, serious concerns have persisted.

Our Board of Trustees has an independent responsibility to protect our patrons and staff, respond to changing patterns of Library use, and make responsible decisions about the operation of our facilities.

For these reasons, the Board-approved transition plan for the Mastic Beach branch will proceed as announced.

The branch will continue traditional operations through December 23, temporarily close for the transition beginning December 24, and reopen March 1, 2027, as a center for scheduled, Library-run programs and activities, with advance registration and controlled access.

We believe the County's announcement is an important step forward. However, improvements in public safety must be demonstrated and sustained over time. The Board will continue monitoring conditions and periodically evaluate whether changes in community needs and neighborhood safety warrant reconsidering the building's use, including the possibility of restoring traditional lending services.

We were disappointed that Library leadership was not included in yesterday's announcement or given an opportunity to discuss its details beforehand. Nevertheless, we welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with County and Town officials, the Suffolk County Police Department, and community organizations to improve conditions throughout Neighborhood Road.

We also want to correct the suggestion that the Library has been unwilling to cooperate with police regarding trespass complaints. That characterization is inaccurate. Our administration and security personnel have worked with law enforcement to address inappropriate and threatening behavior, and we remain committed to that cooperation.

The Library's decision has helped bring renewed attention to longstanding concerns along Neighborhood Road. We hope this renewed focus will serve as a catalyst for the broader improvements and government services that Mastic Beach residents and businesses need and deserve.

We are not abandoning Mastic Beach. We remain committed to its future and to working with all levels of government to improve the quality of life throughout the Tri-Hamlet community. If our decision helps bring lasting improvements to Neighborhood Road, that will be a positive outcome for the entire community.