SCPD, Huntington Town Officials Announce Arrests, Search Warrants Executed In Huntington Station

Initiative results in substantial drop in crime

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini, Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone, New York State Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci, Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer and Huntington Town Board members announced a recent drop in crime and increase in arrests following a major crime reduction initiative in Huntington Station, New York.

The initiative, a combined effort between the police department and the Town of Huntington, included an enhanced Suffolk County police presence as well as the use of officers in SITE (Selective Intensified Traffic Enforcement), SAFE-T (Selective Alcohol Fatality Enforcement Team) and FAST (Firearms Suppression Team). State Liquor Authority inspections, a number of debriefings regarding gang activity in the area and an overt camera installed at the intersection of Lowndes Avenue and Tower Street contributed to the success of the initiative.

“The initiative contributed to a 71.4 percent drop in violent crime during the past 28 days alone, compared to the same timeframe last year,” Suffolk Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini said. “This is an incredible testament of the strong partnership we have with our federal law enforcement partners and local community. We are determined to continue to drive crime down and increase the quality of life for our residents and business owners in Huntington Station.”

The initiative, which ran from August 8, 2016 through November 11, 2016, resulted in the following:

• 276 people arrested in Huntington Station, NY on a total of 398 charges
• 25 people arrested in Greenlawn, NY on a total of 29 charges
• 1478 tickets issued in Huntington, NY,  Huntington Station, NY and Greenlawn, NY
• 10 targeted SLA inspections which resulted in four arrests
• 6 search warrants executed which resulted in nine arrests and 44 charges; .38 revolver recovered during a search
• 33 people arrested on DWI charges and five people on other charges by SAFE-T officers
• 1067 tickets issued by SITE Team

Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said, “Addressing public safety issues in Huntington Station requires cooperation and input from all levels of government and from the community. The encouraging statistics Commissioner Sini shared today reflect new SCPD initiatives, such as community policing and the FAST team; enhanced coordination with the Town to join police and code enforcement efforts; and significant efforts by the community to work with all of us and to be our eyes and ears in the neighborhoods. We must keep up our work together to ensure our continued progress.”

“Today, I was proud to stand with my colleagues in government to reaffirm our commitment to stopping crime in Huntington Station and throughout Long Island,” said New York State Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci. As the Assemblyman for the 10^th District and someone who calls Huntington Station “home,” I understand how important it is to keep the entirety of the greater Huntington region safe, secure and an excellent place to live, conduct business and raise a family.  I look forward to continued cooperation with Suffolk County, the Town of Huntington and our local law enforcement agencies to accomplish our mutual goal of eradicating crime.”

“This significant reduction in crime in our community is validation that the combined efforts of the Suffolk County Police Department, led by Commissioner Tim Sini, the Town of Huntington and the residents of Huntington Station are paying off. Protecting the safety of the public is never a done deal, let’s not rest on our laurels, but continue to strengthen our partnerships so that we maintain these numbers and show our region that Huntington Station is a safe place to live, work and play,” stated Legislator William R. Spencer, M.D.

“This announcement sends an important message that Suffolk County, working with our partners at every level of government and across party lines will spare no resource or effort to keep our communities safe and protect our quality of life,” stated Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern.  “Thank you to Commissioner Tim Sini, Inspector Hatton and the hard working men and women of the Suffolk County Police Department for your commitment and tireless efforts to protect the residents of Huntington.”

Established in 1960, in the easternmost county in New York State, the Suffolk County Police Department is currently the 13th largest municipal police agency in the nation. More than 2,500 sworn officers and 500 civilian employees are dedicated to the department’s 22 bureaus including highway patrol, marine, community relations and homeland security. The department is the lead law enforcement agency for the county’s five western towns: Babylon, Huntington, Islip, Smithtown and Brookhaven. The department also provides support and specialized services to the county’s five eastern towns: Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island, East Hampton, and Southampton. With headquarters located in Yaphank, the department protects and serves an area of 911 square miles and a population of 1.5 million people.