MASTIC BEACH, NY — Suffolk officials will announce new security measures at the Mastic-Shirley Library Annex in Mastic Beach at a news conference on Thursday.
The measures are intended to address safety concerns and keep the branch open after library board officials voted last week to close the location on Dec. 24, citing recent security concerns.
Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina told residents at a community meeting on Tuesday that he walked Neighborhood Road earlier in the day with officers from the 7th Precinct and the town supervisor to identify ways to address their concerns, News 12 reported.
Catalina said officials have developed a plan including additional resources and a temporary police substation across the street from the library, according to the outlet.
"There are housing issues and, you know, a variety of issues, mental health issues that, hopefully, we can recruit some people down to help out with and ultimately give the community some relief from some of the things they've been dealing with," Catalina told residents, according to the outlet.
Patch has reached out to the police department to comment.
The news conference will include County Executive Ed Romaine, Deputy Presiding Officer Jim Mazzarella, Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, State Sen. Dean Murray, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico and Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig.
The news conference will kick off at the Mastic-Shirley Library Annex at 366 Neighborhood Rd. at 11:30 a.m.
This story will be updated. Check back later.
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