What began as a party at the Polish National Home on Hendrick Avenue in Glen Cove on March 3 ended up in the early morning hours of March 4 as what Det. Sgt. Tom Fitzpatrick of the Glen Cove Police Department called a "melee," resulting in the shooting of a 25-year-old Hempstead man outside the hall.

According to the sergeant, the party, being called a "hip-hop party," was both "promoted and attended by out-of-towners." When police ran the license plates of many of the cars in the parking lot and surrounding area, none were found to be from Glen Cove, but from Hempstead and other municipalities. A few hundred young adults had been partying through the night and it appeared the fighting broke out inside as the party was being shut down, the sergeant said. The fighting spilled out into the street, but not before chairs and bottles were being brandished as weapons.

Two Glen Cove Police Officers who had been patrolling the area called for backup and both Glen Cove and Nassau Police responded. Partygoers were filling the streets, and it was at this time that the victim, who was outside the hall, was shot in the arm and leg with "what appeared to be pellets," said Sgt. Fitzpatrick, "perhaps from a shotgun." The victim was treated at the scene by Glen Cove and Nassau County EMS and transported to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, where he underwent surgery. According to Sgt. Fitzpatrick other persons sustained injuries, but did not wait for emergency medical attention. The sergeant had high praise for the work of the EMS squads.

When speaking with the manager of the hall, police were told the party was booked as a birthday party, but was, in fact, a "promotional dance party," said Sgt. Fitzpatrick, and people were charged to attend. He added that the police found fliers advertising the promoter's next party, booked in Rockville Centre next week. "In light of what happened in Glen Cove, he said, "we alerted the Rockville Centre Police Department to suggest they make their presence known at the site of the party."

Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi said police called his home from the scene and he went to the Polish National Home. He said it was inspiring for him to see Glen Cove's Finest at its very best and to see and hear what the police learned as the night unfolded.

The following day, said the mayor, he met with Police Chief Timothy Edwards, Deputy Chief William Whitton, Detective Sergeant Tom Fitzpatrick who heads the detective squad; Len Baron, head of the building department; city attorney Vincent Taranto; Deputy Mayor Marilyn Brenner and Zefy Christopoulos, director of community relations, to brainstorm.

"While the police continue their investigation, I asked Mr. Baron to speak with people from the Polish Home," said Mayor Suozzi, to see if occupancy and other code ordinances were in order, and what their policy is when the space is rented. "Hopefully, there will be self-policing by the Polish Home," said the mayor, "to be sure they are in compliance with the law."

The mayor was quick to say that this might be an isolated incident, not the usual habit of halls that rent to private parties. However, he said that the city plans to be proactive, "the way we were after the incident last summer at the Soundview." That incident resulted in a group of local young men being run down by a driver who had been escorted from the restaurant because of rude behavior.

This occurrence comes on the heels of the city's recently passed ordinances regarding a stricter policy against underage drinking. The mayor reiterated the city's intention to "let all liquor license holders know that we are taking a strong stand on their sales...from gas stations to delis to the finest restaurants." The mayor said that the city intends to use all its resources to do "whatever needs to be done to avoid this happening again."

At press time, no arrests had been made and the investigation is continuing, according to Sgt. Fitzpatrick.