Larry's Hempstead Police Ride-Along

Larry Hoff will be riding along with the Village of Hempstead Chief of Police Joseph Wing and Mayor Wayne J. Hall, Sr. down Terrace Avenue for the morning. He'll get geared up and recieved hands-on experience about life inside a police cruiser.

Since the Village of Hempstead vowed last year to improve the conditions on Terrace Avenue, tremendous improvements have been made. Most notably, as of October 2008, major crime is down 75 percent from last year.

With ever-present police patrols in the formerly high-traffic area for drugs, prostitution and violent activity, residents have noticed significant progress in public safety. In addition to deterring the drug trade, new apprenticeships are also making Terrace Avenue a better place to live.

WATCH THE WEB EXTRA VIDEO AND READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

The Village's landmark reform program for nonviolent drug dealers is entering its second year. Nonviolent drug offenders are given the option of reform instead of prosecution. Those who make a commitment to stay clean have the opportunity to take advantage of job training, employment placement or a GED program. By giving suspects the choice to go straight instead of going to jail, the community is reaping the benefits of proactive change.

For more information, visit www.villageofhempstead.org.

Larry Hoff Talks To Chief of Police and Mayor of Hempstead, Long Island

Larry Goes Inside The Hempstead Police Cruiser