DA: DRUG DEALERS GO STRAIGHT OR GO TO JAIL

The 17 suspected drug dealers caught peddling narcotics on tape in
sting operations on Terrace Avenue and Bedell Street in Hempstead had
two choices offered to them by Nassau District Attorney Kathleen
Rice: Go straight -- and go free -- or go straight to jail.

There are stipulations. It's a one-time offer for the suspects, who
have previous arrests and face prison terms ranging from a year in
jail to life in prison. And they had to show up Tuesday night to
accept the terms of the deal at a town-hall meeting at the
African-American Museum in Hempstead, Rice said.

Of the 17 suspects, 13 attended the meeting after district attorney's
office investigators tracked most of the suspects down and handed
them letters about the meeting. Investigators were unable to locate
two suspects.

"We are trying to eradicate the open-air drug market ... and give
that neighborhood back to the community because all the people in
that community are held hostage," Rice said.

If any of the 13 at Tuesday night's meeting get into trouble again,
Rice said they'll face charges both from the current investigation as
well as any new crimes.

The offer is part of an unprecedented effort in Nassau to rid
Hempstead of longtime drug problems along Terrace Avenue and Bedell
Street, home to what Rice called "the most prolific open-air drug
market in the county."

Det. Tom Willdigg of Nassau's Third Precinct objected to the approach.

"You are taking a drug dealer who made a sale on videotape and it's
prosecutable, but you let that person go," said Willdigg, president
of the Detectives Association, a police union. "Would you do that for
a stickup man?"

But County Executive Thomas Suozzi backed the idea.

"The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and
expect a different result," said Suozzi, who attended the meeting.
"The district attorney is trying something new and is trying to
address a long-standing problem."

At the meeting, the 13 candidates sat before chairs bearing pictures
of 22 other suspects who were arrested on felony drug charges. The
suspects in the pictures were not offered the same deal.

The 13 who were offered the deal were surrounded by more than 250
Hempstead residents, including Mayor Wayne Hall and Police Chief Joseph Wing.

After one of the suspects, Ronald Hayes, 38, of Roosevelt, watched
undercover video of drug sales in the area, he said aloud: "I already
know my fate. That's why I'm here."

Residents addressing the candidates at the meeting is a key component
of the program, said Meg Reiss, the executive assistant district
attorney. Dealers need to hear the community tell them directly
they've had enough, she said.

During 2007, Rice's office and police identified 39 people as "major
drug players" after conducting undercover drug buys, videotaped
exchanges and taped conversations, Rice said.

From that group, all but 17 were arrested because of their violent
arrest history. The 17, who all have prior drug arrests, were chosen
because they appeared to be selling drugs to support an addiction or
for a main source of employment.

The letter they got told them, "After we conducted an extensive drug
investigation on Terrace Avenue and Bedell Street you have been
positively identified as selling drugs on the street."

"All you have to do is agree to turn your life around," Rice said.
"For those of you who have a need, we are going to make all the
social services available to you. You all are going to be
fast-tracked through the system."

To tackle Hempstead's drug problem, Rice's office evaluated five
years of drug investigations. Her staff then reached out to John Jay
College of Criminal Justice, and officials there told them about a
program in High Point, N.C.

Rice's initiative will be backed with immediate increased Hempstead
police patrols in the area.

One of the suspects jumped at the chance to participate.

"It was easy to take the program," said Hannah Tindall, 26. "I've
been trying to turn my life around."