Islip residents say they are tired of nearby Islip Firing Range

ISLIP, N.Y. (WABC) -- Take a walk through Sarah Giganti's backyard -- and you'll get why she's saying, "not in my backyard."

"Some days, it's like nonstop ... and some days, you just like, put a pillow on your head, to sleep," said Sarah Giganti, Islip resident.

The Islip Town Firing Range on the next block is used by a growing number of law enforcement agencies. Agencies like New York City Court Officers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as some federal marshals.
But last week, a petition from 100 area residents was brought before the town board. The town board members put the proposed contract on hold, but it is likely to come up again at the next meeting Sept. 23.

"We need some sort of noise abatement program before we can continue to accept these contracts, or these policing agencies are going to have to change their hours of operation," said Trish Bergin Weichbrodt, Islip Town councilmember.

On the flip side, those who favor more police training insist ever since 9/11 that there's a growing need for more practice, and fewer and fewer places outside to do it.

John Cochrane is a member of the town board, and a former captain in the Navy said this is the closest facility for many in law enforcement.
Nevertheless, families with small children said they're terrified by all the noise during hours when they say the range shouldn't even be open.

"Hopefully they'll do something about it; it's really bad," said Gigante.