Local Politicans Weigh In On Blakeman's Surveillance Plans

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Local politicians recently responded to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's plans to add surveillance along the border of Nassau County and New York City.

The two-term Nassau County executive announced his plans to install cameras and new technology in light of the election of NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's win, according to Fox News.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph S. Saladino commented on these plans, saying safety is the top priority.

"Bruce Blakeman’s proven record of strengthening public safety and stopping the flow of crime from New York City into Nassau is essential to protecting our communities," he said. "Nothing matters more than keeping our families safe."

Glen Cove City Councilmember Marsha Silverman said she has a different stance.

"This is a waste of taxpayer money and demonstrates the worst of politics– disagreeing with someone should not mean they are your enemy," Silverman said. "I prefer to find common ground and work with people. NYC is our neighbor, and we should be working together to enhance public services and experiences. It is always better to build bridges than walls."

Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker sent a comment in regards to Blakeman's plans, sharing his disapproval.

"Bruce Blakeman's duty as Nassau County Executive is to serve the constituents of Nassau County, not imitate and pander to Donald Trump and his concerted effort to subvert Democracy and the Rule of Law," Drucker said. "Mr Blakeman is all too focused on appealing to the MAGA base on culture war issues, doling out taxpayer-funded contracts to donors and politically connected allies, and, just today [Dec. 12], we find out has violated the terms of his already dubious cooperation agreement with ICE, inhumanely holding our neighbors in detention at the Nassau County jail for an amount of time that is, even by his own agreement with ICE, patently illegal."

Newsday reported on Dec. 12 that Nassau County violated its own agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by detaining at least 366 immigrants for longer than legally permitted. More than 60 percent of these detainees have no criminal record, Newsday said.

Drucker added:

"The County Executive continues to demonstrate a reckless disregard for the nature of his office, and uses it as a pulpit from which to posture to Donald Trump and the MAGA base, using Nassau County to abet their continued assault on our great nation."

On Dec. 9, Republican Blakeman also announced his race for New York governor, challenging Elise Stefanik in the Republican primary, as reported by CBS News.