Community Corner

Is Half Hollow Hills Less Safe?

Recent criminal activity may show cracks in a neighborhood considered a haven for children.

Half Hollow Hills tends to have the reputation of being the idyllic image of suburbia - nice families, beautiful homes, big back yards, and an award-winning school district. However, recent crimes may show cracks in this Long Island version of Pleasantville.

Last week, a short walk to a friend's house, and , according to a police report.

The boys, ages 15 and 16, were said to be walking to friend's house only six homes away, when they were held at gunpoint by two men and a woman, who demanded their iPhones and other valuables, near the corner of Suncrest Drive and Branwood Drive in Dix Hills, the report said.

Find out what's happening in Half Hollow Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While the presence of a gun makes the incident especially alarming, burglaries and robberies are becoming a more consistant presence in local crime reports.

Earlier this month, a man was caught on camera taking $4,000 worth of cellphones from an AT&T Wireless Store in Melville.

Find out what's happening in Half Hollow Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In March, community members held a  to address uptick in the number of home burglaries in the Half Hollow Hills area.

What residents are seeing in Dix Hills and Melville however, may be more of a reflection of the times rather than a crime problem specific to the area, since property crimes tend to increase during economic downturns. Increasing abuse  on Long Island may also provide a clue to recent crime sprees in and around Half Hollow Hills.

Do you feel less safe in Half Hollow Hills? Share your thoughts in the poll and comments section below.


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