(ITHACA, N.Y.) New York state’s unique “scaffold law,” or Labor Law 240, designed to keep construction sites safe, is actually doing just the opposite: It is causing hundreds of injuries while costing the public millions of dollars.

The scaffold law places liability for construction site injuries solely on the builder, and according to a study by the University at Albany and Cornell University, the State of New York incurs an additional 677 workplace accidents per year because of the law.

The study is available online here.

In addition to making worksites more dangerous, researchers discovered that the scaffold law annually diverts at least $785 million of public money away from schools and local governments toward lawsuits, legal costs and insurance.

The study also analyzed the effect of the scaffold law on the private sector, which is estimated at $1.487 billion per year. The study took into account associated legal costs, workers’ compensation payments, medical costs and other expenses.

For more than 30 years the law has been a frequent target of debate in Albany. Proponents of reform, including contractors, businesses and local governments, charge that the absolute liability standard of the scaffold law is outdated and unnecessarily drives up costs for construction in New York. Those opposing reform counter that placing absolute liability onto contractors and property is essential for workplace safety.

The study also found:

• New York is the only state in the country to have such a law, and there is no evidence that any other country has a similar standard of absolute liability
• Additional injuries associated with the scaffold law cost New York State between $34 million and $84.7 million in worker’s compensation costs, and between $26 million and $65.1 million in direct, indirect and quality-of-life costs, annually
• Redirecting the money spent on lawsuits and insurance to the construction industry would add an additional $480 million in labor income
• Shifting dollars from lawyers and insurers to contractors would be a net gain of 12,000 jobs
• Study estimates an additional $110 million spent annually on legal costs associated with the Scaffold Law

The study was funded by the New York Civil Justice Institute, a non-partisan nonprofit research organization committed to providing objective analysis and solutions to issues affecting New York’s civil justice system.

The study is available online here.

Equinox for Long Island’s fourth annual Cycle for Survival; Indoor cycling event raises funds for rare cancer research Saturday, March 1st

(LONG ISLAND, NY) Over 1,000 people will gather on Saturday at Equinox for Long Island’s fourth annual Cycle for Survival, a high-energy indoor team cycling event that raises money for rare cancer research. 100% of every donation goes to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and is allocated to pioneering rare cancer clinical trials and research studies within six months of the events. Instructors from Cycle for Survival’s founding partner, Equinox, will lead participants in this family-friendly event that is committed to making more treatment options available to help patients and their families by helping fill the funding gap. Cycle for Survival is one of the fastest-growing athletic fundraisers. Since 2007, the movement has raised over $49 million to fund 85 clinical trials and research studies. This year more than 16,000 riders will participate in events in 13 cities nationwide.

• WHAT: Cycle for Survival: An annual high-energy indoor team cycling event that raises critical funds to beat rare cancers by giving 100% of every donation to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

• WHEN: March 1, 2014 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Media encouraged to attend 10 a.m. to noon ET.

• WHERE: Equinox Roslyn (90 Northern Boulevard, Greenvale, NY 11548)

• WHO: Cycle for Survival Supporters/Teams, Equinox Instructors, Doctors from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer patients and caregivers

• RSVP: Sarah Grossman at sgrossman@fenton.com or 646-894-4532

About Cycle for Survival
Join the Battle. Cycle for Survival is a high-energy indoor team cycling event that raises critical funds to beat rare cancers. Together with the event’s founding partner, Equinox, $49 million has been raised since 2007 to fund 85 clinical trials and research studies at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which owns and operates Cycle for Survival. Half of all cancer patients are fighting a rare cancer, and they often face limited or no treatment options. Through these empowering and fun events, Cycle for Survival is committed to making more treatment options available to help patients and their families. 100% of every donation is allocated to pioneering research within six months of the events, which gives Cycle for Survival participants and supporters an opportunity to make a powerful and direct impact. Visit www.cycleforsurvival.org and follow Cycle for Survival on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center — has devoted more than 125 years to exceptional patient care, innovative research, and outstanding educational programs. Today, we are one of 41 National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, with state-of-the-art science flourishing side by side with clinical studies and treatment. The close collaboration between our physicians and scientists is one of our unique strengths, enabling us to provide patients with the best care available as we work to discover more-effective strategies to prevent, control, and ultimately cure cancer in the future. Our education programs train future physicians and scientists, and the knowledge and experience they gain at Memorial Sloan Kettering has an impact on cancer treatment and biomedical research around the world.

About Equinox
Equinox operates 64 upscale, full-service clubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Dallas and Washington, DC, as well as international locations in London and Toronto. The company offers an integrated selection of Equinox-branded programs, services and products, including strength and cardio training, group fitness classes, personal training, spa services and products, apparel and food/juice bars. Since its inception in 1991, Equinox has developed a lifestyle brand that represents service, value, quality, expertise, innovation, attention to detail, market leadership and results.

Grant Lally Receives Republican Nomination for 3rd Congressional District  of New York

(Long Island, NY) The following was released today by Lally For Congress:

“Today I am honored and grateful to have received Republican nomination for the 3rd congressional Dstrict of New York. I appreciate the confidence that the respective county committees have placed in me and I promise to work vigorously to defeat Steve Israel.”

“I am so appreciative of Nassau County Chairman Joe Mondello, as well as Suffolk County Chairman John LaValle. I am also grateful for the support of the Huntington County Chair Toni Tepe,” stated Grant Lally.

The Third Congressional District covers Long Island’s North Shore, and includes the Towns of Huntington, the northern two thirds of Oyster Bay, most of North Hempstead, the western third of Smithtown; the City of Glen Cove; and the neighborhoods of Douglaston, Little Neck, Whitestone and Floral Park in Queens County.

The district is just over 50% in Nassau County; approximately 40% in Suffolk County; and approximately 10% in Queens County.

(SMITHTOWN, NY) Angela’s House, is celebrating their annual spring gala on March 27th, 2014 at 7 p.m. at The Watermill at 711 Smithtown Bypass in Smithtown, NY.  There will be a beautiful cocktail hour followed by dancing and a full dinner as well as our famed Chinese Auctions for all tastes. Tickets and sponsorships on all levels are available at www.angelashouse.org.

Angela’s House, who assists families with medically fragile and technologically dependent children, is honoring Darren Krantz, President of PRC industries and the founder of “Race For Kids”, which uses NASCAR racing to support Angela’s House.

Darren’s father, Arthur Krantz, instilled the importance of giving back at a very young age. Arthur Krantz, the Chairman of PRC industries and Founder of ‘We Care for Kids”, has long said, “with success comes obligation.” it was in the spirit of his father’s quote that Darren founded Race For Kids.com, where the Krantz Motorsports Nascar Team runs Modified & late Model race cars traveling up and down the East coast of the USA raising money each lap the cars complete. The relief and much needed assistance Darren’s charity brings to those it helps continue to drive his efforts. Darren’s mission statement for this cause is that, “victory lane is not a road on a race track; it’s a world where no family in need goes without support.”

For more information about Angela’s House and to purchase tickets or sponsorships, please visit www.angelashouse.org . For more information on Race for Kids please visit http://www.raceforkids.com/. Also, please visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/angelashouse.

ABOUT ANGELA’S HOUSE:
Angela’s House is a 501 C3 non-profit organization that assists families caring for children with special health care needs that are medically fragile, chronically ill or suffering from a life threatening illness. The organization assist families caring for their children at home and for children that can no longer live at home we have Angela’s House. The Policastro family founded this agency 20 years ago following the tragic crisis they lived with their daughter Angela. This parent-based origin has become the approach and philosophy they apply to each family they assist.

(Oceanside, NY) South Nassau Communities Hospital has received a three-year term of accreditation in Vascular Testing by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).  The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review.

Jeffrey S. Stein, MD, FACS, a board-certified vascular surgeon, is medical director of South Nassau’s peripheral vascular lab.

To earn the accreditation, a panel of experts conducted a comprehensive onsite review of the operational and technical components of South Nassau’s peripheral vascular lab. The accreditation is for the areas of peripheral arterial testing, peripheral venous testing, and extracranial cerebrovascular testing.

“IAC accreditation is a ‘seal of approval’ that patients can rely on as an indication that we have been carefully critiqued on all aspects of its operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of vascular testing,” said Jeffrey S. Stein, MD, FACS, a board-certified vascular surgeon and medical director of South Nassau’s peripheral vascular lab. “IAC accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to vascular testing, which include physicians, technologists and sonographers.”

According to the American Heart Association, the total direct and indirect cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke in the U.S. for 2010 was an estimated $503.2 billion. Early detection of life threatening heart disorders, stroke and other diseases is possible through the use of vascular testing procedures. While vascular testing is a helpful technique, the skill and experience of the technologist performing the test, the acumen of the physicians that interpret the results of the tests and the quality of the technology used to perform the tests are essential to an accurate diagnosis.

Under the supervision Dr. Stein, South Nassau’s vascular lab offers comprehensive peripheral vascular therapies and diagnostics. The variety of tests offered evaluate for blood flow and help form an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. The best peripheral vascular programs are sensitive to the multiple cardiovascular needs of patients and draw upon the expertise of multiple specialties to bring patients the highest-quality, innovative care possible. Dr. Stein and his team work collaboratively with his colleagues from the departments of radiology and cardiology to provide patients with expert diagnosis and treatment of a variety of peripheral vascular disorders.

Peripheral Vascular Services Include:

• Carotid artery ultrasound
• Renal artery ultrasound
• Peripheral ultrasound
• Pulse volume recordings
• ABI Ankle-Brachial Indices for upper/lower extremities
• Venous reflux testing
• Vein mapping
• Arterial mapping
• Upper and lower extremity graft surveillance
• Velocity waveform studies (spectral analysis).

South Nassau® Communities Hospital is one of the region’s largest hospitals, with 435 beds, more than 900 physicians and 3,000 employees.  Located in Oceanside, NY, the hospital is an acute-care, not-for-profit teaching hospital that provides state-of-the-art care in cardiac, oncologic, orthopedic, bariatric, pain management, mental health and emergency services.  In addition to its extensive outpatient specialty centers, South Nassau provides emergency and elective angioplasty and is the only hospital on Long Island with the Novalis Tx™ and Gamma Knife® radiosurgery technologies.  South Nassau is a designated Stroke Center by the New York State Department of Health and Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons and is an accredited center of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Association and Quality Improvement Program. 

For more information, visit www.southnassau.org.

(Newark, NJ) Today, residents, community, labor, and environmental leaders gathered at a federal listening session to push the Obama administration to take bold steps to reduce the danger posed to millions of people by high-risk chemical facilities in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. The listening session implements, in part, an Executive Order from President Obama issued after accidents such as the tragedy in West, TX that killed 14 people and injured 200, and the 2012 vinyl chloride spill in Paulsboro, NJ that evacuated the town and sent dozens to the hospital.

“With millions of New Jerseyans and New Yorkers at risk, we can’t wait for another disaster to take action,” said Jen Kim, NJPIRG State Director.  “The bottom line is that the EPA can increase safety right now by requiring the use of feasible safer alternatives in high-risk chemical facilities.”

The listening session, hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is one of over a dozen taking place nationwide. Today representatives from groups including NJPIRG, NJ Work Environment Council (WEC), United Steelworkers, and the Sierra Club, joined local residents to call on the Obama Administration to include a robust safety approach known as “IST”—inherently safer technology—which would minimize the risks posed by storing and transporting toxic chemicals.

In 2009, Clorox Company announced the phase out of the use of dangerous chlorine at their bleach manufacturing facilities and adopted a safer liquid alternative. Such standards would greatly reduce the risks of another disaster like the chemical spill in West Virginia that poisoned drinking water for hundreds of thousands of residents.

“We know from our experience that the most effective way to address chemical disasters is to prevent them from happening in the first place. That’s why we need the US Environmental Protection Agency to issue policies to require industry to use the safest chemicals and processes, wherever feasible. This is the most effective way to protect workers, emergency responders, and communities”, said Debra Coyle McFadden, Assistant Director of NJ WEC.

Also released at the event were new maps  of the New York/New Jersey region that show the dangers high risk facilities in the Newark area pose to New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations: children. Utilizing official EPA data, the maps show the number of schools and students that lie within one mile of a high-risk facility. Children with developing immune systems are more susceptible to harmful chemical effects and those within vulnerability zones are at risk of illness, injury or even death in the event of a toxic accident.

According to the Center for Effective Government, who produced the maps based on facility reports, of the 76 high-risk facilities in NJ currently registered under the EPA’s Risk Management Program:

• 68 schools lie within one mile of a high-risk chemical facility in NJ
• 34,641 students attend schools that would potentially be in danger in the event of a toxic release
• There are 12 schools within one mile of a high-risk facility in the Jersey City area, with up to 6,112 students at potential risk.
• The Linden-area, which borders the Turnpike, has 9 schools and 4,777 students within one mile of a high-risk facility.
• Chemical facilities in the Camden-area (including Paulsboro) have 7 schools and 2,672 students at potential risk.

Trisha Sheehan, a Woodbury, NJ resident with Moms Clean Air Force for New Jersey, lives just a few miles from Paulsboro, NJ, where in November 2012 a train derailed and spilled 30,000 pounds of toxic vinyl chloride into the community. “I’m concerned about the health of my children,” said Sheehan. “I was told to shelter in place and not evacuate but my six-year old complained of his throat burning and his eyes watered constantly. The EPA should take action so my family and others aren’t harmed by dangerous chemicals.”

There are 10 high-risk facilities in New Jersey that each put at least 100,000 residents within “vulnerability zones” for toxic exposure in the case of an accident or terrorist attack. For example, the Kuehne plant in Kearny, NJ could place up to 12 million New Jersey and New York residents at risk if there were a spill or accident, due to its use of chlorine gas.  (Management of this facility says they are converting to a process that uses less chlorine, but have not provided a schedule of when this work will be completed.)

Del Vitale, Sub-District Director for USW District 4 in Edison, NJ said “The United Steelworkers strongly supports a move to safer chemicals and processes wherever feasible in order to protect workers and the surrounding communities.  We urge these federal agencies to update and strengthen  regulations and policies to make this happen.”

“It is critical for EPA to develop comprehensive rules to make our chemical facilities safer. The EPA needs to come up with plans and rules working with people, communities, worker in factories, first responders, and management to make sure these facilities become safer. By making these plants safer it also reduces pollution. This is especially important since the Christie Administration cut back enforcement and inspection putting the environment and more people are risk,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

The Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters comprises more than 100 health, labor, environment, environmental justice, public health and public interest organizations who are calling on the Obama Administration to Improve chemical facility safety and security and require chemical facilities to use safer chemicals and processes where available and affordable. For more information, visit http://preventchemicaldisasters.org.

NJPIRG, the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group, is a statewide, non-partisan, non-profit consumer advocacy organization. For more information or to see the maps online go to www.njpirg.org or follow @njpirg.

The NJ Work Environment Council (WEC) is a coalition of 70 labor, environmental, and community organizations. For more information go to: www.njwec.org.

(GARDEN CITY, NY) Christian music star, Chris August will bring The Up Side of Down tour to the concert hall at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (AUPAC) located at 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY. The show, sponsored by the Newman Club, is Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m., doors open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 each.

Chris August is a three-time Gospel Music Association Dove Award winner and has held the coveted #1 spot on music’s Billboard Christian Songs chart with his hit, Starry Night. In his career he has worked with the likes of Ryan Cabrera, Brian McKnight, Robin Thicke, Babyface and has opened for Ashlee Simpson.

Chris August is a three-time Gospel Music Association Dove Award winner and has held the coveted #1 spot on music’s Billboard Christian Songs chart with his hit, Starry Night. In his career he has worked with the likes of Ryan Cabrera, Brian McKnight, Robin Thicke, Babyface and has opened for Ashlee Simpson.

Adelphi University’s Performing Arts Center is one of Long Island’s premier cultural arts venues for entertainment of all kinds. Its Spring 2014 program features performances on the Westermann Stage by Trio Solisti and Tony-winner Tommy Tune. Tickets for Chris August are on sale now for $15 or less at aupac.adelphi.edu. Additional information and tickets are also available at The Lucia and Steven N. Fischer Box Office at (516) 877-4000 or boxoffice@adelphi.edu. The Concert Hall is located on the main level of the Performing Arts Center, adjacent to the Box Office.

Check out aupac.adelphi.edu for more on this event and others coming to the venue.

This concert is sponsored by The Newman Club at Adelphi University, a group made up of young adult Catholics who are committed to growing in their spirituality, serving others and forming community with one another.

About Adelphi University:
Adelphi is a world class, modern university with excellent and highly relevant programs where students prepare for lives of active citizenship and professional careers. Through its schools and programs—The College of Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing and Public Health, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Schools of Social Work—the co-educational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults. Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,000 students from 43 states and 45 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and centers in Manhattan, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie, the University, chartered in 1896, maintains a commitment to liberal studies in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.

(Long Island, NY) Senator Ken LaValle announced that he has introduced legislation to immediately halt the eradication of the Mute Swan.  The bill (S.6667) establishes a moratorium on the killing of Mute Swans and compels the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to hold off any decisions until a new independent study is conducted. 

“Among the many issues raised about the DEC’s plan were questions of the validity of the justification of the proposed actions.  It appears that the DEC utilized 40-year-old data to come to the decision.” Senator LaValle said.  He continued, “It’s always been about the science for me.  Haphazard planning without the science to back up the theories is not acceptable.”

The legislation will immediately stop the finalizing of the Mute Swan eradication plans; create a board to review the new research, and require the board to report back within 120 days of receiving the study. “We need irrefutable information to be order to correctly assess the situation.  We need to slow down, step back, and ensure any plan moving forward has a balanced, scientific basis. ” Senator LaValle concluded.

March 28 deadline for free, weeklong residency for emerging songwriters

EVANSTON, Ill. — The Johnny Mercer Foundation and the American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University will present the 9th Annual Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project. The weeklong songwriting workshop for emerging songwriters and writing teams will take place from June 22 through 28, on Northwestern’s Evanston campus.

Luke Hawley and his fellow 2013 Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project participants perform in the workshop’s closing concert. Photo by JustinBarbin.com

The no-fee program is accepting applications from aspiring young songwriters and songwriting teams working in any popular music style through Friday, March 28. An online application, application guidelines and information are available at www.mercersongwriters.org.

Led by award-winning master teachers Craig Carnelia, Andrew Lippa and Lari White, the week will culminate with a public concert showcasing the talents of the program participants, master teachers and the soon-to-be-announced recipient of the Artist of Distinction award.

Through the generosity of the Johnny Mercer Foundation, the program is free-of-charge to selected songwriters who are housed on Northwestern’s Evanston campus and receive a stipend for travel expenses and meals.

The Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriters Project hosts the nation’s most promising songwriters in musical theatre, country, Latin, rock and contemporary pop music, and continues the legacy of legendary songwriter Johnny Mercer. Mercer was a dedicated mentor to young singers and songwriters throughout his career.

Last year, more than 100 applicants applied for one of the 12 spots in the prestigious program, which has been a catalyst to the careers of many artists. Among them are Latin Grammy-winner Obed Bermudez, singer/actress Jennifer Pena, songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Michael Koomin and Chris Dimond, Joe Kinosian and Kellan Blair, Adam Gwon, Carrie Manolakos and Morgan Karr.

The foundation is designed to support the discipline of songwriting in the tradition of the Great American Songbook, as exemplified by the life and work of Johnny Mercer. It continues Mercer’s legacy by partnering with individuals and organizations that celebrate and nourish the disciplines Mercer mastered and the causes he championed.

The Johnny Mercer Foundation partners with the Kaufman Music Center in New York, New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project with Northwestern University’s American Music Theater Project to nurture and encourage young talent. The Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals is the first of its kind in the country dedicated solely to the creation of new musicals.

JOHNNY MERCER

The legendary Johnny Mercer (1900-1976) composed more than 1,400 songs, including “Accentuate The Positive,” “Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread”); “Any Place To Hang My Hat Is Home,” “Too Marvelous For Words” and “Come Rain Or Come Shine.” He also wrote songs for 100 motion pictures and won four “Best Song” Academy Awards. A top radio personality and recording artist, he also was the co-founder and president of Capitol Records and established the Songwriters Hall of Fame with Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. For more on Mercer, visit www.johnnymercerfoundation.org/johnny-mercer/.

MASTER TEACHERS

Craig Carnelia has had four shows produced on Broadway. Working with composer Marvin Hamlisch, he wrote the lyrics for “Sweet Smell of Success,” with book by John Guare, and “Imaginary Friends” with Nora Ephron. As both composer and lyricist, Carnelia wrote the score for “Is There Life After High School” and contributed four songs to the musical “Working,” for which he received his first Tony nomination. Regional premieres include “The Good War” at Chicago’s Northlight Theatre and “Actor, Lawyer, Indian Chief” at Goodspeed’s Norma Terris Theatre in Connecticut, both written with playwright, director and Northwestern University Professor David H. Bell. Bell is the School of Communication’s Donald G. Robertson Director of Music Theatre. For more on Carnelia, visit www.musicalschwartz.com/recordings/carnelia.htm.

Andrew Lippa wrote the words and music to the original oratorio “I am Harvey Milk” which received its world premiere in San Francisco last June with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, and in which Lippa starred as Harvey Milk. The recording, released in October 2013, reached No. 2 on the iTunes classical chart. Lippa also wrote the Tony-nominated music and lyrics for the Broadway musical “The Addams Family,” as well as the music for the Broadway production of Aaron Sorkin’s “The Farnsworth Invention.” He also worked on the Drama Desk award-winning “The Wild Party” (book, music and lyrics), “A Little Princess” (music), “john & jen” (music and book), “Asphalt Beach” (music and lyrics) and “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” (additional music, lyrics and arrangements). For more on Lippa, visit http://andrewlippa.com/.

Lari White is an award-winning recording artist, hit songwriter and producer, indie record label owner and actress. Her music has earned three Grammy Awards (“The Apostle” soundtrack and “Amazing Grace 1 and 2: A Country Tribute” and Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA) Gold status for “Wishes,” RCA Records. Her most recent studio albums include “Green Eyed Soul,” hailed by the London Times as best soul album of the year, and “My First Affair.” For more on White, visit http://www.cmt.com/artists/lari-white/.

AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE PROJECT

The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University brings together the nation’s leading artists in music theatre to work with Northwestern’s faculty and students. AMTP’s goal is to nourish and invigorate American music theatre by developing and producing new musicals; increasing opportunities for education and training with Northwestern’s theatre, music theatre and dance programs; and creating new connections between professional and academic communities. To learn more about AMTP, visit www.amtp.northwestern.edu.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Pattern Crime detectives are investigating a bank robbery that occurred in Mastic this afternoon, Thursday, February 27, 2014.

According to police, a man entered the Capital One Bank located at 1235 Montauk Highway, approached a teller, and presented a note demanding cash at approximately 3:40 p.m.  The teller complied with the demand and the man fled the bank on foot.  He was last seen heading south towards Montauk Highway.

The robber is described as a white male, between 5 feet 8 inches tall and 5 feet 10 inches tall, in his mid-20s, with a thin build. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

He was wearing a hat, blue jeans, and a dark colored jacket with white sleeves. Crime Stoppers offers up to a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest. You do not have to reveal your identity to help solve this crime. All calls will remain anonymous.

The robber is described as a white male, between 5 feet 8 inches tall and 5 feet 10 inches tall, in his mid-20s, with a thin build.  He was wearing a hat, blue jeans, and a dark colored jacket with white sleeves.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential. Crime Stoppers offers up to a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest. You do not have to reveal your identity to help solve this crime. All calls will remain anonymous.