Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Association Addresses LIRR Issues

Over the last few months the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Association (WSHA) has been dealing with resident issues concerning the Seaford & Wantagh LIRR stations.

Starting last winter, we became aware that the homeless population had exploded at the Wantagh & Seaford train stations, and with that, came increased concerns over quality of life and public safety issues. Some of the constant complaints we received from residents included the witnessing of someone masturbating in the Seaford waiting room, public urination, aggressive panhandling, waiting rooms overcrowded with homeless occupying all the seats and the smell of urine, which made the waiting rooms unusable by commuters. This was not fair to both the commuters who were unable to use the waiting rooms or for the homeless. The Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners' Association began regular communication with the LIRR Government Affairs Office, Town of Hempstead, MTA Police Command, MTA PD Homeless Assistance Unit, MTA Right of Way Task Force, Nassau County Police Commissioner's Office and the Seventh Precinct Pop Officers.

A comprehensive plan was put in place to correct these conditions. A combination of homeless outreach, enforcement and increased police patrols have made a visible difference.

Actions taken include but not limited to:
•Regular visits by Nassau County contracted Homeless Outreach Teams;
•Regular visits by the MTA Police Homeless Assistance Unit;
•The removal of a homeless camp near the Seaford train station by the MTA Police Right of Way Task Force;
•Increased MTA Police patrols; and
•Increased Nassau County Police Patrols.

Thank you again to the LIRR, MTA and Nassau County Police Departments for your efforts.

Thanks to our efforts more homeless outreach teams than ever before were dispatched to our communities. A significant increase in police patrols was visible.

In an effort to help with this situation in the future, we are communicating with the MTA/LIRR about cameras and signage.

Our original inquiry to the MTA/LIRR was about the following:
1. Are cameras currently installed at the Wantagh & Seaford train stations?
2. Are there cameras in the waiting rooms at both stations?
3. Where are cameras currently located at these stations? Platforms ? Waiting rooms?
4. Are they monitored 24/7?
5. Do they record and can they be reviewed?

The MTA/LIRR responded to our inquires:
There are currently security cameras at the Wantagh & Seaford train stations.
For security purposes, the LIRR won’t fully disclose their exact locations. The MTA/LIRR will be posting signage stating there are cameras at certain stations. Both the Wantagh & Seaford stations are on the list to have signage displayed. The MTA/LIRR is also working with MTA PD on quality of life issues. Homelessness and drug issues are a societal problem that impacts NYC and LI and it also impacts all 700 miles of track and 124 stations. They will keep WSHA posted as those initiatives as they continue to work on solutions. While the cameras are all monitored and recorded, the recorded data can only be transmitted through their security, MTA PD and local police. We plan to keep communicating with the MTA/LIRR to insure these signs are posted and cameras cover our areas of concerns.

We have also been dealing with the operational and physical appearance at our train stations, most notably at the Wantagh station. In early March WSHA became aware of a cracked window at the Wantagh train station waiting room. It has taken weeks of correspondence in an attempt to get this window replaced. In mid-April we were told this window was finally ordered. We were told that the delay was due to questions of warranty, responsibility and ultimately its replacement. As of this blog posting, the window has still not been replaced. We have been waiting since March! While we have been communicating with MTA/LIRR daily over the issue, we are being told that once the window arrives then an installation date will be set. They assured us that WSHA will be notified immediately. Another issue at the Wantagh train station, was the 'Out of Service' escalator that WSHA first reported to the MTA/LIRR on April 15. The escalator was not repaired and placed back into service until April 24th. However, on April 25th, less than 24-hours later, the escalator was taken out of service again. A $27-million renovation project at Wantagh Station was just completed this past October 2018. Seaford’s Station also went under a multimillion dollar renovation that was completed in 2009. While we appreciate the quick response and correspondence we receive from the LIRR Office of Government Affairs (and they have been great), the time frame for these repairs is unacceptable and responsibility falls to the upper leadership and management of the MTA. The upper management of the MTA needs to be more responsive to the communities they serve. As a civic association, dealing with the MTA/LIRR has been frustrating, to say the least. Having to wait, for what is now 8-weeks, to replace a window and to have an out-of-service escalator lasting almost two weeks, should not be tolerated. The Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Association will continue to stay on top the MTA/LIRR.

Please continue to engage the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Association on any issue that needs attention.

Please like our page on Facebook
and join WSHA by following the link our website! Application is available on our website.

https://m.facebook.com/Wantagh-Seaford-Homeowners-Association-WSHA-106550622712950/

Residents of Wantagh & Seaford please join our neighborhood watch group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wantaghseafordwatch/?ref=share

Wsha website
https://www.wsha.li/

Christopher Carini is the Vice President of Seaford for the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Association, Director of the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Association Neighborhood Watch Committee, Administrator of the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners’ Association's Neighborhood Watch Facebook group and Co-Administrator of the Wantagh Seaford Homeowner's Associations main Facebook page. In addition, Chris is also a member of the Nassau County’s Police Commissioners Community Council for the 19th Legislative District and serves as the District’s Vice Chairman.