Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman Reports Ten Percent Crime Decrease and Unveils Guest Worker Initiative

County Executive Bruce Blakeman reports a 10% crime drop and a 40% increase in MWBEs, while proposing a new guest worker program for Nassau County.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 5:28 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from News 12 Long Island and the Nassau County Executive’s Office.

Public Safety and Immigration Enforcement

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman opened his address by crediting the Nassau County Police Department and federal partnerships for a 10% reduction in crime year over year. A central component of his public safety strategy remains a close collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Blakeman reported that this partnership has successfully facilitated the removal of over 200 undocumented individuals who were charged with serious offenses, including murder, rape, carjacking, and human trafficking. However, the use of county facilities to detain migrants has drawn criticism from some local taxpayers who questioned the allocation of municipal resources for federal immigration matters.

Economic Growth and Workforce Development

Addressing the local labor shortage, Blakeman announced plans to coordinate with federal officials to establish a guest worker program. This initiative aims to connect "law abiding" immigrants with local businesses currently struggling to fill essential roles. On the entrepreneurial front, Blakeman reported a robust increase in diversity within the local economy, stating that the number of minority and women owned businesses (MWBEs) in Nassau County grew by more than 40% over the last twelve months. He emphasized that these gains were achieved without increasing the county's tax burden on residents.

Public Health Advancements

The address also touched on significant strides in the regional fight against the opioid crisis. Blakeman noted that fatal overdoses in Nassau County have decreased by 16%, a trend he attributed to strategic partnerships with regional health organizations and increased access to life saving interventions. He framed these public health successes as a vital part of the county's overall "financial independence" and improved quality of life.