Officials: Nassau cops investigating noose left at PSEG Long Island facility

PSEG Long Island on Tuesday said it is cooperating with a Nassau police investigation into a possible bias crime after a noose was found in September inside a company facility in Hewlett.

The company on Wednesday announced it is working with Crime Stoppers to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest for what it said appears to be a bias crime. PSEG Long Island is also partnering with Nassau police to offer a separate $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case, said spokeswoman Ashley Chauvin. Crime Stoppers can take tips anonymously, she said.

"We're working with law enforcement on this," she said. "We take this incredibly seriously."

Chauvin declined to say whether there were any leads in determining who left the noose.

The Nassau police department’s Fourth Squad is assigned to the case and "the investigation continues," said Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun. Regarding any past reports from PSEG Long Island of similar incidents, LeBrun said: "None have been reported to the police."

Chauvin said she was "not aware of any incident of this nature happening at PSEG Long Island" previously. Chauvin declined to say where specifically at the PSEG Long Island work site in Hewlett the "rope in the shape of a noose," was found, but, she added, the employee who made the discovery immediately reported it.

The company immediately reported the Sept. 10 discovery to Nassau police, Chauvin said, and an investigation has been ongoing.

Chauvin said she wasn't aware of any video surveillance in the Hewlett yard that would have shown who left the rope at the site, nor whether it was meant for a single worker or a group of employees.

"Behaviors, acts and symbols of hate like these have no place at PSEG Long Island," Chauvin said.

The utility asks anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477 or submit a tip online at http://nassaucounty.crimestoppersweb.com/.

By Mark Harrington

mark.harrington@newsday.comMHarringtonNews

Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries.