Production Memo

Crime in Hempstead

This project was probably the most in-depth I’ve ever went in a news story. I truly experienced what it’s like to deal with people that don’t want to talk. I’ve been primarily a sports reporter and yes, at times, people don’t want to talk. But when it concerns issues like drug use in a neighborhood, people are more guarded. I basically wouldn’t “go away.” I’ve learned that you have to be proactive to get what you need. The District Attorney’s Office was helpful, but I didn’t actually get the interview until I went to the courthouse and asked to speak to Eric Phillips. Phillips is the VP of Communications for the DA’s office. I told him what I was doing and he said, “We’ll see.”

Then I got a call from him to do an interview, which really helped. Some of the challenges I faced were just mentioned. Other challenges that I faced were getting people on the phone, filming and information gathering. When I was filming at Terrace Avenue, I was scared. I know I was told to be careful, but my story wouldn’t have been as good without the shots of the street and footage of the parts of the village.

After I met with the Chief, I asked permission to film some police vehicles and vans. He obliged. Getting people on the phone is hard as well. I must have made at least 120 phone calls since I started this project. The Chief’s office knew my voice by memory after a week. I know the chief’s secretary, Regina, personally now. The way that I obtained both sources were constant phone calls. With the Chief, I just kept calling and calling and eventually got an interview. With the District Attorney, I did most of the same.

I learned that the future is in multimedia. 10 years from now, journalists are going to me “multimedia-ists.” They’ll be reporting, streaming, recording, etc. They’re doing that now, but it’ll increase as time goes on. I’m sure, at that time, the stuff I’m doing now will be what the eight-track was to the CD and what CD is to the IPOD. My advice for people who take this class in the future is to be savvy in computers and be a fast learner. This class is ever-changing because the web is that way.

Bill Blundell's six Elements:

1. Some of the pivotal events in the timeline concerning crime in Hempstead are the influx of illegal immigrants that are currently in this town. According to towninfo.com, less than 30% of students who enter 9th grade in Hempstead will graduate. This could be a reason why there’s so much crime. Kids fail out of school, get discouraged, and turn in the wrong direction.

2. The extent of the problem is the gangs. The Salvadoran gang, MS-13 is a cause for concern in Hempstead village. The ongoing violence this gang has exhibited has led to the formation of their arch-rivals, "SWP" or "Salvadorians with Pride."

3. This is happening because of the increase of drug sales in the area. DA Kathleen Rice is cracking down on drug use with her anti-drug plan that is supposed to deter drug sale and use.

4. Everyone in the community is helped by institutions, like Hofstra and the Terrace Ave. Anti-Drug Initiative, when they implement programs that shine a light on a community that may or may not be crime ridden. Hofstra was recently chosen to have a presidential debate, which puts the national attention on Hempstead. This could result in an increase in security around Uniondale and more crack-down on crime. Terrace Avenue is a block-long area consisting of several high-rise housing projects. There are approximately 900 apartments in this one-block stretch of Hempstead which borders commercial property on one side and single family, higher income residences on the other. It is estimated that there are over 5,000 people living in this densely populated area. Small violations such as loitering, illegal parking and drinking alcohol in public quickly opened the door to other more serious crimes such as assaults, robberies and drug sales. Several of the building's owners had allowed their buildings to fall into a state of decay. Lack of physical security, such as inoperable front doors and broken locks, allowed trespassers, including drug dealers and their customers, to roam freely through the buildings. This hurts the surrounding community as well as the villages of Uniondale and East Meadow.

5. DA Kathleen Rice has recently been working with the Terrace Ave. Anti-Drug Initiative to debunk drug deals and drug use in Hempstead Village. A plan is now in place, offering a better deal to those known to deal in drugs -- often the underpinning of violence along the Avenue: Turn away from the illegal drug trade and avoid arrest and prosecution, and take advantage of job training, employment placement or a GED program. According to Hempstead Police Chief, Joseph Wing, right now, they’re using video surveillance and tailing strategies to deter drug sale and use around the Terrace Ave. area.

6. If crime keeps up in this community, you’ll see a town that will be forgotten by prospective home buyers, business owners and politicians. However, five or 10 years from now, if Rice and Wing keep up their initiative, we’ll see a town that was once seen as a gateway to Nassau.