By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-26 22:23:48 | Updated at 2025-04-06 05:51:09
1 week ago
Nassau County is so pumped to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the county police department that they’re even inviting “the 51st state” — a jab at Canada — and Mexico to the party.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced plans for the April 27 bash by honoring a wounded county cop, promising a massive parade and “a super block party,” with invitations going out to departments in all 50 states — and our neighbors to the north and south.
“We only do big things here in Nassau County,” Blakeman said. “We have invited every police department motorcycle unit in the United States to come to this parade so that we can celebrate together and make it the biggest police motorcycle parade in the history of the United States.
“And if any want to come from our 51st state of Canada or from our South of the border in Mexico, we’ll be happy to have them as well,” the county executive said.
President Trump has floated the idea of the US annexing Canada, taunting the “Great White North” by saying it should be the 51st state in the union.
The Nassau County announcement came as Blakeman honored county police Detective Ken Baribault, who was severely injured in an on-duty crash a decade ago, presenting the veteran cop with the first 100th anniversary ceremonial bar that will be worn by all members of the department.
County cops will also wear a “100 years” patch on their uniforms.
“You are somebody that has epitomized what that needs to be the Nassau County police officer with your strength, with your courage, with your dedication into the department,” Blakeman told Baribault.
“And all the members of the department and all the members of Nassau County love you, support you and we stand behind you,” he added.
The celebration will shut down much of Wantagh, with antique squad cars, a helicopter flyover, horses, a pipe band — and lots and lots of motorcycles, a tradition for the county department.
“One hundred years ago, on April 16, this department started with 55 patrolmen, half of them on motorcycles,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said Wednesday.
“The entire strip will be closed down, and we’re gonna say thank you to the men and women who serve,” Ryder said. “In my eight years as commissioner, this is one of the most exciting things I’ve done.”
The top cop said the celebration will be entirely funded through donations — but that didn’t stop county Democratic lawmakers from crying foul, claiming Blakeman is withholding funding from their districts.
“Nassau County’s police officers are among the most highly trained and professional in the country, and they deserve to be honored for 100 years of dedicated service,” Democratic legislator Seth Koslow said in a statement to The Post on Wednesday.
“But if County Executive Blakeman has the time and resources to throw a parade, why is he still withholding millions of dollars in lifesaving equipment for police, firefighters, and EMS in Democratic-led districts?” Koslow said. “You can’t claim to back the blue while playing politics with their safety. Celebrations are nice — but funding first responders should be a priority every single day, not just when there’s a stage and a spotlight.”
The police parade is scheduled to kick off at 2 pm on April 27, with a block party to follow at 3 pm.
The rain date is May 4, county officials said.
