________________ HEMPSTEAD _______________
BEACON Incorporating The West Hempstead Beacon
local officials talk at jail
Board revote on Aug. 17
Connecting with seniors
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Vol. 76 No. 33
AUGUST 13 - 19, 2026
$1.00
Village Night Out grows civic ties By MASHIAT AZMI Correspondent
Mashiat Azmi/Herald
Hempstead Police Department Richard Holland spoke at the news conference outside department building on Aug. 4, and discussed the developments in the arrests of three suspects related to the murder of village resident Michael David Grajeda, 18.
Hempstead peace wrecked by stabbing By MASHIAT AZMI Correspondent
The peace that Hempstead village enjoyed for nearly the first six months of the year with no shootings was shattered when resident Michael David Grajeda, 18, was fatally stabbed on June 28. The incident occurred outside of an apartment building at 545 Fulton Ave. in Hempstead. Nassau and Hempstead police arrested three suspects on July 31 — Denis Alexander Gonzalez Sorto, 21, Isaac Lopez Alvarez, 20, a 17-year-old juvenile, who was not identified. All three were charged with second-degree murder. Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. and Chief of Police Richard Holland, discussed the significant development outside the
village’s police department building on Aug. 4. Hobbs and Holland addressed the gang activity, efforts to reduce gun violence, and the village’s aggressive enforcement strategy to remove violent offenders from the streets. The Hobbs noted that the investigation is continuing. Holland expressed the hope that this news conference will raise awareness about this senseless violence and will bring exposure to this issue. “No arrest can undo pain caused by this senseless act of violence,” he said. “We hope these areas bring some type of exposure to people.” Holland addressed the alleged assailants involvement in the stabbing incident, characterizing the incident as gang violence. He said ContinueD on PAGe 4
Hempstead village, its police departments and Nassau County legislators partnered to host the annual National Night Out. The community-building campaign on the first Tuesday in August, featured games and other activities that promote par tnerships between law enforcement departments and their communities to create safer neighborhoods for everyone. It began in the western suburbs of Philadelphia in 1984. Hempstead held its first on in 2019. “Thanks to the hard work of so many community partners, National Night Out is an evening where families from coast to coast have fun and meet the local law enforcement, first responders, and civic organizations that serve and strengthen our communities,” County Legislator Scott Davis said. “I look forward to another outstanding event in Hempstead Village and encourage you to join us in supporting this great American tradition.” Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr., Chief of Police Richard Holland and Assistant Police Chief Derek Warner kicked off the event. Warner stressed the significance of building relationships between residents and officers through activities like food, dancing and games. Holland expressed his gratitude to the National Night Out Committee, including Angela
Stanley, Regina Latimore, Gloria Alexander, and Vanessa Hernandez. There were many local vendors, such as Family and Children’s Association, and activities, particularly for kids. It was a great opportunity to build relationships with law enforcement and community members. Azaleia Griffin, a social worker at Family and Children’s Association, was one of the vendors who discussed the importance of community events for trauma therapy services. She emphasized the need for such support due to the prevalence of trauma and the availability of resources. “It’s important because I believe that the community needs that type of support because there are a lot of organizations that come here, a lot of police support,” Griffin said. “Again, even with our program, we help with a lot of trauma therapy. So it’s good to have this community resource so that we can navigate and kind of interchange different ideas that we all have together.” Hobbs advised the residents not to be afraid of the police department and to report any crime incidents. He added that the police department is sponsoring different community events in different locations in Hempstead, like block parties, a toy Santa Claus run during Christmas time, a haunted ContinueD on PAGe 5