Mineola, N.Y.- While Nassau County crime continues to decline to the lowest levels in 30 years and gang incidents also steadily decline, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced today that Police Inspector Robert Turk has been appointed Gang Czar for Nassau County and will coordinate the County's anti-gang strategies in an effort to keep a focus on these decreasing levels. The County Executive was joined by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, Police Commissioner James Lawrence, Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead), Lisanne Altmann (D-Great Neck), Legislator Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), Legislator David Denenberg (D-Merrick), Legislator David Mejias (D-Massapequa), Nassau County CASA Director Marianela Jordan, Youth Board Director George Siberon, Director of Constituent Affairs, Office of Minority Affairs Jack Prophet, and HEVN Director Bishop Raymond Mackey.

"The appointment of Inspector Turk as the County's first-ever Gang Czar ensures that we have the resources necessary to prevent gang violence," said County Executive Suozzi. "We must use every resource at our disposal to deter and prevent kids from joining gangs while keeping parents and teachers informed about signs of gang activity in our neighborhoods."

As Gang Czar, Inspector Turk will chair the Nassau County Task Force Against Gangs (TAG), a government-community partnership commissioned by County Executive Suozzi in 2002. The Gang Czar will ensure that precinct commanding officers share information with TAG members and will also chair the Police Department's Gang Roundtable, which serves as a clearinghouse for information between law enforcement and school districts. The appointment of Inspector Turk is part of the County Executive's anti-gang strategy, which encompasses three major components: Prevention, Enforcement and Redirection.

"Communities across the County will benefit from the professionalism and work ethic that Inspector Turk brings to this new comprehensive strategy," said Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence. "Throughout his career, the Nassau County Police Department has counted on his exceptional coordination and leadership skills to ensure success."

The prevention aspect will involve the Gang Czar working closely with TAG members to identify at-risk youths through community meetings and the Nassau County Youth Board will provide alternative activities and services to keep them away from gangs. The County Executive's Budget provides $250,000 to the Police Department for gang prevention and rehabilitation and the Gang Czar will also be responsible for identifying appropriate uses of this funding.

The County's law enforcement efforts related to gangs will also be overseen by the Gang Czar and includes the Bureau of Special Operations' anti-gang Strike Force, Problem Oriented Policing (POP) and Precinct Special Details. Nassau County Police Detectives have also been assigned to the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force and the ATF Long Island Task Force and the Police Department participates in the Gang Net Database, which records information on gang members.

In addition, the Gang Czar will promote redirection by continuing to work closely with TAG members in encouraging former and current gang members to turn away from gang life. Organizations such as HEVN, the Nassau County Youth Board and other County agencies will ensure that they receive the services they need.