Nassau police disciplinary files, total solar eclipse, Israel-Hamas war, senior tax breaks

Disagreement over NCPD handling info

We are dismayed by the action of the Nassau County Police Department in withholding legally required personal information from Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly’s office [“Nassau DA’s office, police at odds over misconduct files,” News, March 24].

This unlawful action by the police has made it almost impossible for the district attorney to prosecute many criminal cases, thus requiring the immediate release of defendants.

The police department has also claimed, without evidence, that recent modifications of bail administration have led to the release of potential criminals.

The police need to turn over personnel records as required by state law. No one is above the law, least of all those who are tasked with enforcing it.

— David Sprintzen, Syosset

The writer is coordinator of the social action committee of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island.

I applaud Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder for standing behind his rank and file [“NCPD, stop the shenanigans,” Editorial, April 8].

In the past, when a police officer was out of line, Ryder would come down on the officer. He has been fair as commissioner, and I agree with the department’s withholding disciplinary records.

What does a complaint from years ago have to do with a DWI citation or domestic violence arrest? To make the cop look bad or put the cop on trial?

The defense could use outdated records to create doubt at trial. The no-bail law should be challenged, not dealing with one about old records.

We should keep in mind that the officer making the arrest is not on trial.

— Larry Lombardo, Lynbrook

The writer is a retired New York City Transit police sergeant.

If the goal in turning over disciplinary files of police officers is transparency, allow prosecutors to present to juries all past criminal behaviors of criminal defendants. Without knowing a suspect’s criminal history, it’s just another law that helps keep felons on our streets with little regard for the public’s safety.

— Kevin Jones, New Hyde Park

My upstate train ride to see the eclipse

My train trip to upstate Port Henry and back took about 15 hours for three minutes of solar-eclipse total darkness [“Wonders in sky and on ground,” Editorial, April 9]. I left my house at 6:30 a.m. and returned after 11:30 p.m.

I found two pairs of proper dark glasses that came with a children’s book about the solar eclipse at a science museum in Port Washington. Dozens of children and parents passed around the book on the train.

At the destination, Port Henry residents had tables with food and other goods. People started spreading their blankets all the way up a hill.

After about an hour, we saw the moon begin its trip across the sun. When completely covered, it got so dark that the station’s lights came on. There was silence, then applause.

As the sliver of light appeared on the other side of the sun, everything looked eerie and ghostlike. It gradually got lighter but quite a bit colder, and many put on their jackets.

On the ride back, a high school student who had gone down to a nearby lake described the seagulls making noise then becoming quiet during the totality.

As families left the train at their respective stops, many said goodbye and waved outside the train.

— Jerry Mintz, Roslyn Heights

Biden should pressure Hamas, not Israel

It’s incredible how President Joe Biden has done an about-face in addressing our longtime ally Israel [“Israel pulling some troops from Gaza,” News, April 8].

Israel has perhaps the most humanitarian army in the history of warfare. Yet Biden continues to capitulate to the “Squad” and the left-leaning members in his administration by putting the screws to Israel instead of where the blame truly belongs, with Hamas.

He should pressure Egypt and other Arab nations to allow innocent Palestinians to take refuge there while Israel finishes off the Hamas terrorists.

Biden should warn Hamas to return the remaining living hostages.

Hamas was this war’s aggressor, not Israel, which is trying to prevent the destruction of its own country.

— Marty Orenstein, New Hyde Park

State needs to give seniors a tax break

It’s pretty funny — let’s cut out the tax on toothpaste, school supplies, etc. [“Proposals for tax relief,” News, April 5]. Why not give some real savings to seniors? I didn’t see one idea for senior tax breaks.

How about this proposal: If you’re over 70, you get 25% off your school taxes. We have paid school taxes for 50 years. 

Yet we shouldn’t be concerned about these proposed budget changes. Toothpaste will make our smiles look nice and shiny, but we won’t be able to afford anything else in the state.

— Paul Moran, North Merrick

CORRECTION: New York State does not tax Social Security payments. An earlier version of a letter was incorrect.