Zachary R. Dowdy

Mar. 29, 2011 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) — Sen. Charles Schumer called Monday for state and federal transportation agencies to find a way to widen the shoulders along the Long Island Expressway to make traffic stops safer for police.

The call came nearly two months after Nassau Highway Patrol officer Michael Califano was killed during a traffic stop.

Schumer (D-N.Y.) saw firsthand how Nassau police officers patrolling the LIE walk a fine line between life and death. He stood just yards from the spot where a truck last month slammed into Califano’s car, and said the federal and state officials should help officers avoid death as they navigate the highway’s narrow shoulders.

“Officer Califano’s life ended way too soon while conducting the most routine of traffic stops,” he said while flanked by members of the Nassau Police Benevolent Association.

Califano was killed after his cruiser was struck by a trucker who prosecutors said had fallen asleep at the wheel late Feb. 4. He died early Feb. 5.

On Saturday, 13-year state trooper Kevin Dobson was killed while writing a speeding ticket on the Youngmann Highway in upstate Tonawanda.

PBA president James Carver and other union officials gave Schumer a tour of the perilous shoulders, where officers daily insert themselves between the cars they pull over and traffic, the heels of their boots barely fitting inside the white line.

“There’s hardly enough room to open your car door without it getting ripped off, let alone getting out of your patrol car to approach the driver of the vehicle that you’ve just pulled over,” Schumer said.

Schumer joined the PBA in calling for a “road safety audit” by the Federal Highway Administration and the state Department of Transportation in partnership with the PBA.

The audit could lead to safety recommendations, he said.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Cathy St. Denis, spokeswoman for the highway administration, which acknowledged receiving Schumer’s request.

State DOT spokeswoman Eileen Peters said the agency was reviewing Schumer’s request.

Schumer said seven of the 25 officers struck by vehicles on the LIE during traffic stops in the past 10 years were hit twice, and at least five are unable to work due to the injuries. Califano’s was the only fatality.

Of special note, Schumer said, is the area of the LIE known as “The Valley.” That is a long stretch between Exit 39 near East Hills and Exit 40 near Jericho that Schumer said has “little to no median or shoulder room for operations” and has poor lighting. He said land exists to expand the shoulder there to create what his office noted would be safer conditions for patrol officers conducting traffic stops.

Schumer said the audit should focus on “problem areas” for officers.

With John Valenti

Newstex ID: KRTB-0134-102125077