(Long Island, NY) The Second Squad is investigating a Burglary that occurred on Monday, March 28, 2016 AT 12:20 pm in Levittown.

According to detectives, a 53 year old male homeowner returned to his Constable Lane residence and noticed that an unknown person (s) entered the residence by forcing a rear bedroom window open. The person (s) (no description) then removed assorted jewelry from a jewelry box that was left in a first floor bedroom on a dresser.

Nassau County Police are investigating a Burglary that occurred on Monday, March 28 in Levittown. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Jewelry was also removed from a jewelry box that was left in a second floor bedroom. The victim’s 25 year old daughter who was sleeping in another second floor locked bedroom said someone did turn her door knob but did not make entry. There were no injuries reported.

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

PSEG Long Island, LIPA Rebates Assist County in Reducing Annual Energy Costs by more than $3 Million

(Long Island, NY) Today, County Executive Bellone, PSEG Long Island and LIPA, highlighted a series of municipal energy-efficiency projects that advance Suffolk County and New York State’s energy goals and provide more than $3,000,000 in annual energy cost savings for the county. By participating in PSEG Long Island’s Commercial Efficiency Program, as well taking advantage of several State and LIPA rebates, Suffolk County has reached an energy saving milestone of 12,700,000 kilowatt hours (kWh), in accumulated annual savings.

“We are always looking for opportunities which will allow Suffolk County to reduce its carbon footprint,” said County Executive Steve Bellone.  “Working with PSEG Long Island, LIPA and NYSERDA, Suffolk County has been able to take advantage of the many energy efficiency and solar rebates offered by these agencies.  Securing a prosperous future for Suffolk County is of paramount importance as we use every tool in the toolbox to achieve these real, long term savings.”

Gil Anderson, Commissioner Suffolk County DPW, Michael Deering- LIPA Director of Customer Service & Program Oversight, Tom Falcone, LIPA CEO, Neal Lewis, Executive Director-Sustainability Institute of Molloy College, County Executive Steve Bellone, Lisa Broughton, Suffolk County Energy Director and Bio/High Tech Development Specialist, Mike Voltz, PSEG Long Island Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables, Dave Daly, PSEG Long Island President and COO, Gordian Raacke, Executive Director-Renewable Energy Long Island. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

“PSEG Long Island commends Suffolk County for its dedication to and investment in creating a cleaner and greener place to live and work on Long Island,” said David Daly, PSEG Long Island president and COO. “Through participation in PSEG Long Island’s energy efficiency and renewables programs, Suffolk County is reducing its operating costs as well as saving energy, the environment and money for Suffolk County residents.”

LIPA CEO Tom Falcone said, “Suffolk County’s commitment to clean and efficient energy is advancing Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.  We applaud their efforts and look forward to continuing to work with Suffolk County to find ways to reduce demand and lower costs for its residents.”

Working closely with PSEG Long Island and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Suffolk County has instituted many projects to reduce energy use and energy costs at county facilities. According to an independent evaluation, every dollar invested through PSEG Long Island’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs generates $3.20 in benefits to PSEG and its customers.

Suffolk’s efforts are estimated to have reduced peak electric demand during the critical summer months by more than 2,600 kilowatts (kW).  The energy efficient measures installed have earned the County $3.5 million in rebates, including $211,075 from PSEG Long Island in 2015 alone.

Suffolk County has undertaken a multitude of projects which include: energy-efficient lighting retrofits; replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, with equipment that is more energy-efficient; improved energy management systems; and variable speed drives on pumps and motors, which can better manage motor speeds to save energy.

The annual energy savings from these projects is more than 12.7 million (kWh), equivalent to more than 1,750 average-sized homes, and more than 914,000 therms of gas and oil, enough to heat about 1,300 average-sized homes for a year.  These upgrades have reduced the county’s annual maintenance costs by nearly $550,000.

The County is committed to building on its energy-efficiency efforts, which included nine major projects completed from 2009-2015 representing a current annual savings of approximately $3,000,000.

Energy efficiency projects completed include: the Riverhead County Center, Riverhead Criminal Courts Buildings, Board of Elections, H. Lee Dennison Building, Cohalan Courts and the Medical Examiners Buildings to reduce energy use and costs. They included new high efficiency lighting, heating and cooling systems, energy efficient windows and energy management systems.

In addition, the Board of Elections has a 100 KW photovoltaic installation providing clean, renewable energy, and the H. Lee Dennison Building and Cohalan Courts have installed combined heat and power (CHP) systems that recapture the heat created when generating electricity and use it to provide heat or hot water to the buildings.

“Suffolk County is a shining example of taking action on climate change by eliminating wasteful energy use with energy efficiency upgrades and aggressively pursuing opportunities to installing solar arrays on county facilities,” said Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island, a not-for-profit organization. “This is the kind of local leadership we need everywhere in order to transition to a clean energy economy powered by our abundant and local renewable energy sources.”

“Under County Executive Steve Bellone’s leadership, Suffolk County is demonstrating that government can lead by example in reducing our carbon footprint while saving money for years to come with an aggressive strategy to retrofit old inefficient heating, cooling, and lighting systems and installing clean renewable solar energy,” stated Neal Lewis  Executive Director of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College.  “Suffolk County is a model Climate Smart Community that other municipalities should emulate; by taking advantage of incentives from LIPA, NYSERDA and PSEG Long Island, the upfront costs of clean energy retrofits are greatly reduced and the taxpayer savings from reduced energy bills and maintenance expenses, are enhanced and more quickly realized.”

East Rockaway businessman allegedly stole from Orange County homeowner

(long Island, NY) Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that an East Rockaway mortgage modification advisor was arrested yesterday for stealing more than $30,000 from an Orange County, NY homeowner he had been hired by to prevent a foreclosure.

Jeffrey Halpern, 60, who did business as JCK Marketing, Inc., was arrested by DA Investigators yesterday and charged with Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree (a D felony). He was conditionally released to probation by Nassau County District Court Judge Joseph Girardi, and is due back in court on April 18. Halpern faces a maximum sentence of 2-1/3 to seven years in prison if convicted.

Nassau DA Madeline Singas announced that Jeffrey Halpern, 60, an East Rockaway mortgage modification advisor, was arrested yesterday for stealing more than $30,000 from an Orange County, NY. Photo Credit: NCPD.

“This defendant is alleged to have taken advantage of a homeowner who was already in financial trouble by stealing more than $30,000 from her in a time of need,” DA Singas said. “Anyone who suspects they may have been defrauded by this defendant should contact my office’s tipline at 516-571-7755.”

DA Singas said that in September, 2011, a 52-year-old Rock Tavern, NY woman allegedly hired Halpern, working under JCK Marketing, Inc., in an effort to avoid the foreclosure of her home and to obtain a loan modification with CitiMortgage. The victim paid Halpern a $4,000 retainer fee.

Thereafter, Halpern would allegedly call the victim every month, and sometimes weekly, requesting payment for the bank. When the victim would question Halpern, he would tell her that the bank required such payments in order to continue processing her modification application and informed her that all monies are forwarded by him to CitiMortgage and applied to her mortgage payments. Based on this information, the victim continued to make payments, as directed by Halpern, from February 2012 until December 2013. The payments totaled $31,310.

The victim became suspicious after she received several calls from CitiMortgage in which a CitiMortgage representative informed her that they have never heard of the defendant and had no knowledge of any loan modification set up on her behalf. The bank informed her that her home is headed to foreclosure and that they have not received any payments from the defendant. In or about December 2013, the victim stopped making payments to Halpern.

The investigation revealed that none of the payments totaling $31,310 made by the victim to Halpern from February 2012 to December 2013 were ever applied to her mortgage, nor was a loan modification obtained by Halpern.

A review of Halpern’s bank accounts showed that the victim’s funds were almost immediately withdrawn via cash withdrawals from ATMs from Halpern’s account. Halpern allegedly used the funds for personal and business purposes unrelated to the victim’s mortgage or loan modification with CitiMortgage.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Contreras of DA Singas’ Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau is prosecuting the case. Halpern is represented by Ronald Bekoff, Esq.

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.

Free Minority Health Fair to be Held April 7th at Mack Student Center

(Long Island, NY) In celebration of National Public Health Week, April 4th – 10th, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein and Hofstra University will again partner in the 3rd Annual Nassau County Minority Health Fair on Thursday, April 7, 2016. This event, from 12:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. in the Hofstra University Mack Student Center, Multipurpose Room, North Campus, is free and open to the public. The goal is to increase awareness of public health issues and chronic disease prevention.

“I am honored to participate with the Department of Health and Hofstra University in celebrating Public Health Week,” said County Executive Mangano. “I invite all to participate in this week-long celebration that promotes health.”

“This is one of many collaborative events that assist us in addressing health disparities in Nassau County,” said Health Commissioner Eisenstein. “I am proud to partner with Hofstra University in our efforts to raise awareness of these important public health issues.”

Associate Professor and Director of Hofstra’s Master of Public Health program Dr. Corinne Kyriacou thinks that partnering with Nassau County helps attendees better understand the unique suburban context of the public health issues being addressed. “Health promotion programs must be tailored to meet the specific needs of the communities they are intended to help,” she said. “The Nassau County Department of Health helps us maintain a local focus.”

Health fair attendees will have the opportunity to speak with local health professionals, obtain voluntary hearing, blood pressure, vision, dental and HIV screenings, and participate in exercise and healthy food demonstrations.

Events earlier in the day include a discussion of the politics of food and soda with internationally known author and researcher, Dr. Marion Nestle (9:30 am-11 am) and an interdisciplinary student film competition focusing on the Healthy People 2020 goals (11:10 am – 12:25 pm).

For additional information on event-specific activities occurring during Public Health Week and to RSVP visit www.Hofstra.edu/NPHW2016.

(Long Island, NY) The Fourth Squad is investigating a Bias Incident that was discovered on Monday, March 28, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in Cedarhurst.

According to detectives, the owner of a Maple Avenue building discovered (2) two Swastikas spray painted in red paint on pillars of a parking garage.

Nassau County Police are investigating a Bias Incident that was discovered on Monday, March 28 in Cedarhurst. Photo Credit: NCPD.

The criminal mischief occurred between Friday, March 25, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. and Monday, March 28, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.

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

Eliminates Paper Pads To Avoid Incorrect Dosages Or Wrong Medications That Have Caused Illnesses And Even Deaths

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and Nassau University Medical Center President and CEO, Dr. Victor F. Politi will join  health officials at a press conference being held today, Monday March 28, 2016 at 2pm, to provide key details of  New York States new law requiring doctors, dentists, pharmacies and other health providers, to use electronic prescriptions only, eliminating all handwritten communications to avoid medical errors, illnesses the flow of illegal prescriptions and deaths.

The paper prescription pad became a thing of the past yesterday, when the new law took effect. New York became the first state in the country to mandate electronic prescriptions for all medications. Doctors and others could face fines for not using e-prescriptions. The law became necessary after authorities and health officials found that stolen prescription pads were being used to funnel medicines into booming black markets. According to reports a blank prescription pad could be worth as much as $150,000 in street sales.

The new law is critically important as some 300 million to 350 million prescriptions are filled each year in New York by doctors and other health providers.

Patients and many health officials have long called for e-prescriptions, saying they will eliminate any handwriting errors. Hand writing that is difficult to read can result in the wrong dosage being prescribed or even the wrong medication. Some patients have become violently ill and some have even died as a result of difficult to read hand written prescriptions. Nassau University Medical Center writes tens of thousands of prescriptions a year.

(Long Island, NY) Westy Self Storage continues its support for the 8^th consecutive year of the Prom Boutique sponsored by the Long Island Volunteer Center.  Westy Self Storage in Lake Success is pleased to host this drive as a designated collection site for donations of new and gently-used prom gowns, bridesmaid dresses, special occasion dresses, shoes, handbags and costume jewelry. The collection will take place on Sunday, April 10, 2016 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Prom Boutique distributes all dresses and accessories free of charge to girls of families across Long Island who cannot easily absorb the expense of a new gown to attend their prom, graduation, sweet sixteen or other significant occasion. Now in its 22^nd year, the Prom Boutique has helped thousands of deserving young women feel confident at their special event in the gown of their choice.  Please help your community by dropping off a donation at Westy Self Storage in Lake Success located at 2400 Marcus Avenue, next to Pathmark Shopping Center.

“The Prom Boutique is a way to help local young women celebrate these occasions with a beautiful outfit that they would otherwise be unable to obtain,” said Diana O’Neill, Executive Director of Long Island Volunteer Center.  “Westy has been a model community partner over the years ensuring that our storage requirements are met and that logistical needs for drop offs and delivery of thousands of donated dresses are accomplished seamlessly.  We could not help make prom dreams come true without Westy.”

“We are excited to continue our participation in the Prom Boutique,” said Tim Mincin, District Director of Westy Self Storage, Lake Success location. “Sharing in celebration of milestones of young women, such as the prom, brings us great satisfaction.”

Westy is open 7 days a week. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.  Call 631-462-3200 or visit www.westy.com for directions.

About Westy Self Storage
Westy offers affordable state-of-the-art storage solutions for individuals and businesses.  Westy was founded in 1990 and since then the superior quality of their buildings has revolutionized the self storage industry.  Among Westy’s family of customers are homeowners, art collectors, antique dealers, retailers, and people who consider their Westy room an extension of their home or office. With corporate headquarters in Stamford, CT, Westy spans the tri-state area with 14 centers; 7 centers in NY, 4 centers in CT and 3 centers in NJ.  Westy Storage Centers are open seven days a week.  For more information visit www.westy.com or call (866) 22WESTY.

First Bill McGrath Will Introduce as a State Senator

(Long Island, NY) New York State Senate Candidate Chris McGrath today announced that on his first day in the State Senate he would sponsor legislation establishing term limits for statewide elected officials and members of the state legislature.

“I believe that enacting term limits will empower New York State’s citizens to retake control of their government,” said Chris McGrath.  “From wasteful spending and skyrocketing taxes to the plague of government corruption, to solve these problems we must end the era of career politicians.”

Currently, New York State legislators may serve an unlimited number of two-year terms and the Governor, State Comptroller and Attorney General may serve an unlimited number of four-year terms.  The State Senate’s rules limit the number of terms that a senator may serve as a committee chair or the majority leader.  The State Assembly has no such limitation. McGrath’s proposal will include a term limit for State Legislators of 8 years or 4 two year terms, and two terms for statewide office holders.

“The Founding Fathers envisioned a citizen legislature where people served for a limited period of time.  The rise of professional politicians has made our government unaccountable to taxpayers and empowered the institutional special interests who want more government spending,” McGrath said.  “This isn’t a partisan issue.  I will work with Democrats and Republicans to enact term limits of 8 years for state legislators and return control of Albany to the people of New York State.”

McGrath has also proposed enacting legislation stripping government pensions from elected officials convicted of public corruption offenses.  In 2015, the State Assembly failed to pass pension-stripping legislation that was agreed to as part of the state budget.

Chris McGrath is a candidate for the New York State Senate (SD-9.) He is not a politician, has never before run for elected office, and is a lifelong resident of the district. Chris has spent the majority of his career and personal life giving back to people in need.  Following the devastating attacks of 9/11, Chris’s firm represented, pro-bono, the brave men and women who were first responders who helped in the search and recovering efforts at Ground Zero. As a member of the community, Chris, is involved in many civic and charitable organizations.  He is a distinguished past president of Peninsula Kiwanis, creating the organization’s foundation for underprivileged and handicapped children. www.ChrisMcGrathForSenate.com

Op-ed Written by Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY-1)

(Long Island, NY) Too often in today’s world, we are reminded globally that we must all do more to protect the innocent and defeat those who threaten peace in the name of Islam. The recent terrorist attack in Brussels, Belgium, that left over 30 people dead and over 300 wounded, is one more brutal reminder that the threat posed by Islamic terror groups is not just a threat to the Middle East – it’s a threat that is growing all around the world.

Just hours before the attack in Brussels, the House passed my Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016 (H.R. 4314) with strong bipartisan support in a 371-2 vote. In the wake of the attack, I’ve been continuing the push to advance my bill to help stop foreign fighter travel to protect America’s security at home and abroad. Stopping foreign fighter movement is a top effort of mine and must be a highest priority for our country.

Foreign fighter movement is a very serious challenge. The horrific terror attack in Paris, France that killed over 100 people was largely carried out by European nationals – many of whom traveled to train and fight in Syria and then later returned to Europe and were able to move across borders without detection. This is why we need improved border security globally and better information sharing between governments.

Under my bill, international border security standards would be established to close security gaps that currently exist that allow foreign fighters to travel internationally. Another important component of my bill is that it would ensure U.S. resources are utilized in the most efficient way possible, focusing on high-risk and medium-risk countries to boost security, while also putting in place a reporting system that would monitor the efforts of foreign governments to combat terrorism and foreign fighter travel. Foreign assistance would be suspended for countries that do not make significant efforts to comply.

The recent terrorist attacks in Brussels remind us that we must confront ISIS’ unlimited ambition with our unlimited resolve. There is no limit to the desire terror groups like ISIS have in waging violent jihad against us. This is an unconventional fight and a never before been read chapter that must end with the cancer boldly, aggressively attacked with unlimited determination and resources from a global community that will not be run out of existence by those who terrorize the innocent.

The Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act is a bipartisan measure to keep Americans safe that was long overdue to not only protect our homeland from terrorism, but also ensure the that we as a country are always prepared to combat the spread of any infectious diseases. Under my bill, a monitoring system would be put in place to screen for infectious diseases to contain and prevent any potential outbreaks. Under my bill, the Secretary of Homeland Security would be authorized to provide the necessary equipment and supplies to mitigate the risk or threat of infectious diseases, which will help quarantine viruses, such as Zika, a disease that continues to spread and was recently declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization.

There are many facets to this effort and stopping the movement of terrorists is essential. Whether we are helping stop the movement of foreign fighters or boosting intelligence and military capabilities wherever appropriate and necessary, America and our allies must win each day on behalf of our families, our countries and the free world. I will continue pushing to advance my Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act until it is signed into law.

Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who damaged property at a Coram residence.

Following a dispute, a woman kicked the front door and damaged a door frame at a residence on Rugby Place on March 14 at approximately 12:50 a.m. The woman, known as Heaven, is known to frequent the Coram area.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the woman, known as Heaven, who damaged property at a Coram residence. Above are photos from the suspect’s Facebook page. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.