Nassau County Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello and members of the Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved legislation that requires the Nassau County Police Commissioner to establish a hotline to receive tips regarding illegal drug activity and authorizes the Police Department to offer a standing reward of up to $5,000 for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a drug dealer in Nassau County.
An individual may provide tips via text, internet, or telephone, and his her or identity will remain anonymous. The standing reward is funded by asset forfeiture funds held by the Nassau County Police Department.
“This legislation provides our law enforcement professionals with another weapon to combat the opioid epidemic that has taken and damaged so many lives in our county.” said Presiding Officer Nicolello. “The Tip Hotline will assist the Nassau County Police Department to target drug dealers and get them off our streets.”
The goal of this legislation is to focus on the dealers, who are the source of the drugs that are fueling the epidemic, and to encourage Nassau residents to contact police whenever use or sale of controlled substances is observed.