Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has made good on his promise Tuesday and pulled 25 percent of the county's police patrols off the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway.

The move comes amid an argument with New York state over funding for the patrols. Levy said it costs the county approximately $12 million a year to patrol the two major roadways, but the state won't shoulder any of the load.

Some residents believe with the Fourth of July weekend approaching, the reductions couldn't have come at a worse time.

"It's a bad move not having as many patrols on," said Hauppauge resident Casey Ress. "I think they're going to see that this weekend. God forbid someone dies and there's an accident or they're going to see multiple accidents because there's not enough patrol[s] on."

The Suffolk County police commissioner claims the reductions will not impact public safety. However, that view came under fire during protests in Smithtown held by officers who strongly oppose the move. Suffolk PBA President Jeff Frayler had some harsh words about Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer.

"We have a police commissioner that is nothing but a puppet for Steve Levy," said Frayler. He also bashed the reduced patrols and called them a personal agenda for Levy.

"Steve Levy is putting his personal politics ahead of the public['s] safety," Frayler said.

County Executive Levy has said there could be a further 25 percent reduction at the end of the summer if the state doesn't step up to help.

Nassau County PBA leaders say it would be against their contract for officers to be pulled from patrolling the LIE. County Executive Suozzi issued a statement today saying he's still trying to negotiate with the state for reimbursement.

Click for more on Suffolk?s plans to keep roads safe this holiday weekend

Levyto pull patrols off LIE as ultimatum to the stateSuffolkCounty to pull cops off busy highwaysCountiesnegotiate shift to state patrol on LIE, Sunrise