Bay Shore held their first Chamber of Commerce meeting of the year on Tuesday, the 31st of January. With guest speaker, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison, their 2023 meeting line-up is already off to a strong start.
Harrison is a man passionate about keeping the community safe.
“One crime is too many,” he said while addressing the audience Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library. “When someone asks me what my hustle is I always say public safety.”
He further added that the most important thing to do in his line of work is to think outside of the box. He is always coming up with the best ways to keep the community as safe as humanly possible.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison addressing the audience at Bay Shore- Brightwaters Public Library during the Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce meeting held January 31, 2023. photo by Jake Maddia.
“Any time I have the opportunity to address a group of residents, I talk about my experiences, and I assure them that I will use this to keep Suffolk County safe, and improve the quality of life.”
Harrison has been the Commissioner of Suffolk County for about a year now, coming from a family tradition of law enforcement, with his wife is a retired police officer and his two daughters currently on the job as well. He was appointed Suffolk County Commissioner by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone in December of 2021, following a career of distinguished service 30 years strong with the NYPD in which he rose up the ranks and ultimately retired as Chief of Detectives.
“I have been here for a year now, but it feels like it’s been five years,” he said at the meeting with complete candor.
His answers to audience questions were direct, reassuring and honest – painting a portrait of a man who takes his job seriously – even giving his cell phone number and email address freely to anyone in attendance who might want to personally address a concern, explaining “there is nothing worse in the world then having a quality-of-life issue that you can’t get addressed in a timely matter.”
In closing, he reminded everyone to thank the police officers that serve and protect their neighborhoods. This was the first of five Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce meetings scheduled to be held this year, with future guests and speakers to be announced.
