Nassau County Executive Faces Pushback Over Armed Volunteer Plan
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is coming under fire from local Democrats who are attempting to sue him in an effort to halt his initiative to empower armed civilian volunteers.
The lawsuit, initiated by two Democratic officials, has been described by Republican supporters as “punishing, threatening, and harassing,” particularly regarding a component of the plan that critics label as “militias.”
“They’ve filed a lawsuit to avoid addressing issues I find significant,” Blakeman stated. “It feels like they’re attempting to undermine my rights—not just as a county executive but also as an individual representing the citizens of Nassau County.”
Blakeman’s legal team counters that the lawsuit amounts to what is known as a SLAPP—Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. They are urging the judge to dismiss the case and impose costs on the Democrats for legal fees.
A hearing is scheduled for June 19 at the state Supreme Court in Mineola, marking a pivotal moment where local authorities could establish a precedent concerning the enlistment of armed civilians for public safety.
Blakeman, who proposed the plan last year, believes he simply organized a database of vetted and trained volunteers ready to assist during “very extreme situations” when county police might be overwhelmed.
While Blakeman defends the legality of the program as a public safety measure, critics like Delia Deriggi-Whitton, a minority leader on the county council, have likened these volunteers to a “militia,” drawing unsettling comparisons to the Nazi regime’s untrained civilian forces.
“There was something known as a brown shirt,” she remarked. “It was essentially civilians stepping into a law enforcement role without any training.”
The lawsuit, filed on February 4 by Democrats Debra Mullet and Scott Davis, contends that Blakeman breached local government laws by unilaterally establishing a “tentative special lawmakers program” funded by taxpayer dollars. They also claim he has stonewalled requests for basic information on the program’s operations.
Accusations included that the program incurs expenses that violate laws concerning taxpayer spending, including funding for background checks, random drug screenings, training, and even $150 scholarships for activated volunteers.
Carey Dunne, the lawyer representing Mulé and Davis, criticized Blakeman’s SLAPP counterclaim, arguing it could have far-reaching implications across the country if the case continues to gain ground.
“Allowing political figures to sue civilians exercising their constitutional rights is something we cannot accept,” Dunne stated.
“The original intent behind this lawsuit was to deter the government from establishing civilian militias,” he added. “Now, there are complexities at play. If the SLAPP angle is upheld, it risks becoming a standstill, but also represents a serious threat to civil liberties.”
