(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a Ronkonkoma man this morning.

Shane Meighan was driving a Suffolk County Transit bus westbound on Buckley Road when he attempted to make a left turn at a traffic light onto Waverly Avenue and was struck by a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt that was travelling northbound on Waverly Avenue in North Patchogue. Witnesses told police the driver of the Chevrolet, Preston Campagne, went through the red light.

According to Suffolk Police, a man driving a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt went through a red light in North Patchogue, strking a Suffolk County Transit bus and injuring several passengers, including one seriously. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Meighan, 57, of North Babylon, was not injured. Two of the three bus passengers were taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center for minor injuries. Campagne, 48, of Ronkonkoma, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious injuries.

Campagne was issued a summons for driving with a suspended license and for failing to stop at a traffic light. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crash to call the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552.

(Hauppauge, NY) Suffolk County has joined New York State and hundreds of communities throughout the nation in observing National Public Health Week, April 7 -13. This week — as New York State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, MD, MPH states, “promotes the key components of the state’s Prevention Agenda 2013-2017.” County Executive Steve Bellone calls attention to some of Suffolk County’s programs that help to protect and improve community health and quality of life.

“The focus of public health is prevention, so when it works, residents are not aware of it,” said Bellone. “The Suffolk County Department of Health , under the direction of Dr. James Tomarken has been offering innovative and model programs to assist Suffolk County residents.”

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services was established 85 years ago. It is the second largest county health department in New York State and it comprises numerous divisions, offices and bureaus, and dedicated staff who serve residents every day investigating and controlling disease outbreaks: testing drinking and beach water; inspecting restaurants, summer camps, petting zoos and more; coordinating services for children with special needs; providing immunizations; ensuring emergency preparedness, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Among a vast array of programs the county provides, highlighted below are some of Suffolk County programs that are seldom recognized but always appreciated:

Division of Public Health, Bureau of Epidemiology and Disease Control
Suffolk County’s Bureau of Epidemiology and Disease Control investigates, reports, and initiates outbreak control measures for over 70 communicable diseases in addition to surveillance for new and emerging diseases and unusual clusters of illnesses. Bureau staff investigates over 12,000 cases of reportable communicable diseases annually. The clinical staff provides 24 hour/7 day-a-week emergency coverage to respond to public health emergencies and reports.

Neighborhood Aide Program
Suffolk County’s Neighborhood Aide program is a link between the county and the underserved and hard- to- reach populations in the community. Neighborhood Aides participate in various outreach activities, distribute materials listing health care services, offer tips on how to access these services, conduct and participate in informational/educational workshops make home visits to health center patients with emergent issues.

STD Control and Infectious Disease/HIV Program
Suffolk County’s Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Unit (STD) Control Unit, investigates reported cases of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS. Staff initiates disease intervention strategies, which include interviews of the patient, counseling and referrals as needed, contacts and partner notification and follow-up and investigation of possible clusters. Medical providers are contacted to ensure treatment is completed. Additionally, the county provides primary care and case management services for more than 475 HIV-positive patients as well as HIV counseling and testing services at its health centers. In 2013, Suffolk County provided tens of thousands of HIV tests to residents.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, nutrition and health education plus health and human services referrals to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum women, infants and children up to five years of age who are at nutritional risk. The program provides food checks that can be used at local grocery stores and pharmacies to buy specific WIC- approved nutritious foods. While receiving WIC benefits, participants learn about good nutrition, breastfeeding, choosing healthy foods and other health concerns.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP)
CLPPP provides education and outreach on lead poisoning prevention and case management of children who have been poisoned by lead. The program facilitates screening for children who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover the test. The program is also responsible for environmental data management to identify exposure patterns and high-risk populations for strategic planning for lead poisoning prevention at the local and state levels. As soon as a lead poisoned child is identified, home visitation and an environmental investigation (case management) begins.

To learn more about National Public Health Week, visit www.nphw.org. For more on how local health departments in New York State are celebrating Public Health Week, see www.nysacho.org. For more about the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, its divisions and the services it provides, visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/healthservices.aspx.

(Oakdale, NY) Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay III’s first piece of legislation was unanimously approved in the late hours of the March 18th general meeting and signed on April 3rd. Introductory Resolution 1197, a law amending the 2014 capital budget and program and appropriating funds in connection with the dredging of county waters, will allow for Suffolk County to better assess the need for dredging Oakdale’s Grand Canal.

The Grand Canal, which was built circa 1920, consists of a series of interconnected canals located on the east side of the Connetquot River in Oakdale. The canal system has a main outside canal with north and south openings to the Connetquot River and a number of inner finger canals that extend into residential areas.

Legislation was signed on April 3rd amending the Suffolk County 2014 capital budget and program and appropriating funds in connection with the dredging of county waters; this will allow for Suffolk to better assess the need for dredging Oakdale’s Grand Canal. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

“I am extremely thankful to my colleagues and the residents who advocated to pass this resolution, said Lindsay III. “I understand that this has been a long standing issue in the Oakdale community. Now it’s time to finalize the assessment and take the appropriate action to meet the needs of the residents and improve the ecological well-being of the canal.”

The assessment, which will be completed by Cashin Associates, P.C., will review existing data from the Grand Canal, evaluate the public and ecological health of the canal presently, and report the findings and recommendations to the County. After the assessment is completed the County will have a full analysis on whether it is beneficial to dredge the canal and can move forward accordingly.

Lindsay III stated that he will check in with Cashin Associates as much as possible to inform the public and the surrounding community groups on the progress of the assessment.

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Police report the details of an Aided Case involving the birth of a baby boy on Tuesday, April 08, 2014 at 8:15 am in Westbury.

According to police, Third Precinct Police Officers Richard and Vergara responded to a Grand Street residence for a call of a woman in labor. Upon arrival the Third Precinct Police Officers assisted Nassau County Advanced Medical Technician Roper transport a 35 year old female to a local area hospital for treatment.

Nassau County Third Precinct Police Officers assisted a Westbury woman in giving birth to a baby boy on Tuesday, April 8. Photo Credit: NCPD.

En-route to the hospital the woman’s water broke, and she was able to deliver a healthy baby boy in the back of the Nassau County Police Ambulance with the assistance of the officer’s and the AMT. The mother and baby are doing fine.

(Long Island, NY) This past Friday, the Assembly Minority Conference held the first meeting of its School Safety Task Force at the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Regional Education Center in Cayuga County. The task force, on which Assemblyman Ed Ra serves as vice chairman, featured testimony from educators and safety officials to determine the best possible measures to reduce school violence and enhance safety in the classroom.

“One of the foundations in ensuring our children receive a quality education is keeping them safe at school,” said Ra. “This task force is crucial in determining what works and doesn’t work for our schools so we can provide the safe and secure environment that allows learning to flourish.”

Assemblyman Ed Ra (second from right) speaks during the New York State Assembly’s School Safety Task Force, held in Auburn, NY on April 4. Photo Credit: NYS Assembly.

“I was pleased to join several of my colleagues in holding this task force and hearing from administrators and public safety officers. I look forward to using their input to help create legislation that will create safer, stronger schools.”

Assemblyman Ra represents the 19th Assembly District. 

(Long Island, NY) The Fourth Squad reports the details of an arrest for Burglary that occurred on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 11:45 PM in North Lawrence.

According to detectives, the defendant Timothy McCullough, 45, of 86 St. George Place, Inwood, kicked in and entered the front door of Ojay’s Auto Body located at 259 Burnside Avenue. While inside, the defendant went through several desk drawers and removed several envelopes. A Nassau County Police Sergeant observed the shattered door and the defendant exiting the building and without incident placed McCullough under arrest.

Nassau County Police report the arrest Timothy McCullough, 45, of Inwood, for an Auto Body Shop Burglary in North Lawrence on Sunday, April 6. Photo Credit: NCPD.

The defendant is being charged with Burglary 3rd Degree and was arraigned on April 7, 2014 at First District Court, Hempstead.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(Long Island, NY) The Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction will be holding the first of 12 statewide forums tomorrow, April 8, 2014, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Van Nostrand Theatre of Suffolk County Community College’s Brentwood Campus, 1001 Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood.

The forums will solicit input on the rise in the use of heroin and opioids and develop legislative recommendations for treating and preventing addiction and its consequences.

Task force Chairman Senator Phil Boyle (R-C-I, Suffolk County), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, will lead the forum. He will be joined by task force members, experts in the fields of education, law enforcement, mental health and substance abuse, municipal officials, and individuals directly affected by opioid abuse. For more information, go to the Senate website at www.nysenate.gov.

People expected to speak at the forum include:

• Vincent DeMarco, Suffolk County Sheriff
• Tom Willdigg, President, Nassau County Detectives Association
• Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, Executive Director LICADD
• Kathy Brown, Director of Chemical Dependence, Catholic Charities
• Judith Raimondi, President and Founder, Lindy Cares
• Dr. Frank Dowling, Psychiatrist, Stony Brook University
• Dr. Michael F. Ring, Superintendent of Schools, Rocky Point School District
• Arthur and Denise Murr, Parents of a child who had a fatal overdose – Garden City – Compassionate Friends
• Richard Buckman, President, Long Island Recovery Association
• Dr. James Dolan, Director of Mental Health, Chemical Dependency, and Developmental Disability Services for Nassau County
• Dr. Paul Casciano – Superintendent of Schools, William Floyd School District
• Anthony Rizzuto, Provider Relations Representative for Nassau and Suffolk at Seafield Center
• Rene Feitcher, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office ADA – Chair, NC Heroin Task Force
• Christopher R. Wilkins, MHA – Founder and President Emeritus, Loyola Recovery Foundation and Consultant to Alkermes
• John M. Venza, Vice President, Adolescent Services – Outreach Development Corporation
• Robert Ewald, Chief, Narcotics Bureau, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
• Dr. Steven Margolies, Medical Director of the New York Region, Phoenix House
• Kym Laube, Executive Director, Suffolk Human Understanding and Growth Drug & Alcohol Prevention Services

(Long Island, NY) Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a Burglary that occurred on November 1, 2013 at 11:30 am in N. Valley Stream.

According to detectives, after arriving home at her Law Street residence, the 35 year old female victim entered the house through the side door and was confronted by a male black subject who was standing in the kitchen. He then pointed a handgun at her and demanded she continue to enter the house. The victim turned, began to run towards a neighbor’s house, looked back at her home and observed that the initial male black subject was now accompanied by two other male black subjects who exited the house and began walking northbound on Law Street. She observed a gray or possibly green colored mini van drive up to the 3 subjects who then entered the vehicle which continued driving northbound on Law Street.

Nassau County Fourth Squad detectives report the arrest of Kendal K. Haywood, 25, of 250 E. 93rd Street, Brooklyn, in connection with a Valley Stream burglary on November 1. Photo Credit: NCPD.

The Fourth Squad reports the arrest of Kendal K. Haywood, 25 of 250 E. 93rd Street, Brooklyn for the above crime. Haywood was located and placed under arrest on Monday April 7, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. in Newark, New Jersey. The investigation was assisted by the U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Marshalls Service. The defendant is also wanted for failure to appear in court on an Attempted Burglary that occurred in December 2013.

No injuries were sustained as a result of this incident and the loss from within the home is undetermined at this time.

Haywood is charged with Burglary 1st degree, Burglary 2nd degree, Burglary 2nd degree (Attempt) and Bail Jumping 2nd degree. He will be arraigned on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at First District Court in Hempstead.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this Burglary to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(Long Island, NY) The First Squad is investigating a Robbery that occurred on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 4:41 p.m. in Roosevelt.

According to detectives, a male victim, 74 years of age, was sitting in his vehicle on E. Roosevelt Avenue when two male blacks, approximately 18 years of age, rode up to his vehicle on mountain bikes. Subject one, displayed a dark handgun and demanded the victim’s money. He is described as thin build, wearing a light colored sweat shirt, blue jeans and a baseball cap. The second subject is described as short, medium build, wearing dark clothing. Both subjects fled with an undetermined amount of cash southbound on Park Avenue. There were no injuries reported.

Nassau County Police are on the lookout for two youths for the assault and robbery of 74 year-old Roosevelt man on Sunday, March 30. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding the above crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(Long Island, NY) The First Squad is investigating a Robbery that occurred on Monday, March 31, 2014 at 8:20 p.m. in Roosevelt.

The First Squad reports the arrest of Keith Q. Estrada, 19 of 98 Park Avenue, Roosevelt for the above crime. Estrada was located on Monday April 7, 2014 at 4:43 p.m. on Nassau Road in Roosevelt. At the time of his arrest Estrada was in possession of a large black BB gun and a clear plastic bag containing marijuana.

According to detectives, Estrada entered the Metro PCS store located at 318 Nassau Road, displayed a black handgun and demanded the money from the male owner. The victim complied and the subject exited the store with the money. Estrada fled on foot southbound on Nassau Road. There was one additional male employee in the store at the time of the robbery. No injuries were reported.

Nassau County Police Report the arrest of a Roosevelt Man for Robbing Cell Phone Store with BB Gun on Monday, March 31. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Estrada is charged with three counts of Robbery 1st degree, three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. He will be arraigned on Tuesday April 8, 2014 at First District Court in Hempstead.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.