Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) recently praised the Long Island Rail Road and its leadership for announcing the start of a solution to the "gap problem," the space that exists between the train's door and the station platform. The LIRR has suggested that attaching metal plates at the base of each door on its newer M-7 electric trains will address the "gap" problem and make entering and exiting the trains safer.

"Since 2006, I have been advocating for a real solution to this dangerous situation," Jacobs said. "Over two years ago I suggested installing either platform extenders or plates that would be attached to the doors of the trains. At a time when other elected officials were suggesting surveillance cameras to increase safety, I was focusing on better solutions."

"I have said many times that the 'Watch the Gap' signs had many people, at the beginning, thinking it was advertising for The Gap," she said. "I also said that to look to surveillance cameras as a solution was ridiculous. They would only allow conductors to watch people fall, not prevent it."

Jacobs had focused her attention especially on the Syosset train station, where the curved platform results in a 15-inch gap between the train and the platform. In August of 2006 she collected hundreds of signatures on a petition to then-president of the LIRR, James J. Dermody....stating in the petition that "surveillance cameras are not enough....."

The LIRR has stated that the installation of the metal plates on the trains will begin in October at a cost of $2,811 per door.

"I have already heard from residents so pleased with this latest news from LIRR. I applaud LIRR President Helena Williams," Jacobs said. "The health, safety and welfare of our residents should be uppermost in everything we do. This is an important and intelligent "safe step" to finding a solution. I am sorry it has taken two years for the railroad to embrace the idea. However, better late than never."