Nassau County Legislator John R. Ferretti, Jr 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.
“Too many lives have been lost because people were afraid to contact the police with information,” Legislator Ferretti said. “This new Tip Hotline will encourage residents to provide information to Nassau County Police that can help take these drug dealers off the streets for good.”
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.