The Lie:
County Executive Bruce Blakeman lies each time he says that Nassau needs a Special Deputy Sheriff program (aka ‘Blakeman’s militia’).
Why You May Believe the Lie:
In an attempt to shift the narrative away from his failure to provide the legally required information (under the Freedom of Information Law) and his extra-legal actions surrounding the formation of the militia (i.e., no authority to establish a militia, no budget line, etc.), Blakeman countersued Legislators who sued him to get information about his secretive militia.
The Truth:
Blakeman’s countersuit claiming that Legislators are trying to silence him is a thinly veiled effort to pervert the protections afforded the public under anti-SLAPP provisions of the Civil Rights Law that safeguard the right of the public to speak on issues of public concern without fear of being sued by those whose actions they are protesting.
He is desperately trying to keep you from finding out the truth about his militia: There is NO NEED for Blakeman’s private militia:
- Nassau was named safest county in the U.S. in 2020 and again in 2021, BEFORE Blakeman was elected and Blakeman’s replacement of retiring police officers has allowed Nassau to retain the top safety rating; and
- If an emergency arises where the Nassau County Police Department lacks resources sufficient to protect the public, the County Executive is authorized by law to deputize existing active State Parkway police, State Parks police, or police in nearby municipalities or counties (See New York State Municipal Law § 209-f). Deputizing local active police in an emergency ensures that those charged with protecting our County are fully trained – which is a far better solution to a non-existent problem. It will reduce the likelihood of friendly fire and limit the County’s liability and fiscal exposure from actions of deputized inadequately trained armed citizens.
Action You Can Take:
- Share this post on your social media and email and discuss it with your friends
- Contact Blakeman at nassau`countyny.gov/481/County-Executive, or call at 516-571-6000 or 516-571-3131 – prompt 5, then “other,” and demand he disband his secret militia.
- Sign this petition opposing Blakeman’s dangerous militia.
Source & Additional Media:
PRESS RELEASE: Blakeman doubles down on Militia lies, May 28, 2025
