(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police First Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who robbed an employee and the West Babylon store she works in earlier this month.

A man entered Dairy Barn, located at 10 Belmont Ave., on December 8, and robbed an employee of cash. He then stole cash and cigarettes from the store.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify the man who robbed an employee and the West Babylon store she works in earlier this month. 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.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Department officers were honored at the Dix Hills Jewish Chai Center’s 4th Night Out event on Thursday, December 10.

The Chai Center’s outdoor candle lighting was held in honor of officers from the Suffolk County Police Department, as well as police officers across the country. Officers from the Second Precinct Community Support Unit (CSU) and Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) attended the event and helped light the center’s outdoor menorah, located at the 501Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills.

The Chai Center’s Director, Rabbi Yaakov Saacks, officiated the event which was also attended by Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern from the 16th District and Assemblyman, Chad Lupinacci from the 10th Assembly District.

Teens at the center wrapped more than 250 toys that will be distributed throughout Suffolk County to children with cancer.

(Long Island, NY) The Third Squad reports the arrest of a Far Rockaway man for Grand Larceny on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. in New Hyde Park.

According to detectives, on November 17, 2015 Jamel Q. Miller 27, was employed as a custodian at L.A. Fitness, 1111 Marcus Avenue, New Hyde Park where he used a key to unlock a locker and remove a victim’s wallet containing multiple credit cards.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Jamel Q. Miller 27, of Far Rockaway for Grand Larceny on Thursday, December 10 in New Hyde Park. Photo Credit: NCPD.

During the investigation it was discovered that Miller used the victim’s credit card to purchase assorted merchandise at a local supermarket. He was placed under arrest on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. while at work in New Hyde Park.

Miller is charged with Forgery 2nd degree, Grand Larceny 4th degree, and Identity Theft 2nd degree. He will be arraigned on Friday, December 11, 2015 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.

(Long Island, NY) Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a robbery that occurred on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 2:30 am in Franklin Square.

According to detectives, a male black subject entered the Sunoco gas station, 355 Franklin Avenue, displayed what was believed to be a handgun under a black cloth and demanded money from the stations clerk.

Nassau County Police are investigating a robbery that occurred on Thursday, December 10 in Franklin Square. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

A struggle ensued between the two and after the subject struck the male clerk in the face, he reached onto the counter and stole the victim’s cell phone. The subject then fled the area on foot in an unknown direction.

The victim, who sustained minor injuries, described the subject as being 5’7’ tall, 20-25 years old with a thin build. He was wearing a black hoodie and a black mask covering his face.

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

Eighty Six Projects Funded in Suffolk County

(Long Island, NY) Today, the Long Island region was awarded $30.1 million in Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Awards.  New York State’s Regional Councils were created by Governor Cuomo in 2011 in an effort to jumpstart the economy and create jobs.  This initiative has redesigned the state’s approach to economic development from a top-down model to a community-based, performance-driven approach where community, business and academic leaders develop strategic plans tailored to their region’s unique strengths and resources in order to spur economic development.

“This is great news for several critical projects to create jobs in Suffolk County, including several that are part of the Innovation Zone,”  stated County Executive Bellone.  “I would like to thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership and the members of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council for their steadfast commitment to supporting projects that will grow and strengthen our economy.”

Notable Suffolk County projects which were awarded funding by the REDC:

• $1.8M—BNL Discovery Park- Brookhaven Science Associates-will create a public-private research campus and regional hub for scientific innovation, economic development and STEM education
• $1.5M—Nicolls Rd Multimodal -Suffolk County will design and engineer a Hiking Biking Trail to compliment the Nicholls Road Multi-Modal Corridor
• $350K—Welcome Center at the Farm in Yaphank-Suffolk County will build an Agricultural Tourist Center in the county owned farm in Yaphank to be used as a “Welcome Center” and administrative offices for the Cornell Cooperative Extension
• $1M—Decentralized wastewater treatment-Suffolk County  Department of Economic Development and Planning –Suffolk County will construct a decentralized wastewater treatment facility to treat waste from five mobile home parks.  The facility will eliminate failing on-site septic systems and reduce nitrogen loads to the Peconic Estuary
• $200K—Route 110 BRT-Suffolk County Department of Economic  Development and Planning-Suffolk County will plan and design a Bus Rapid Transit System on Route 110 in Suffolk County
• $27,500—Suffolk County Landbank Corporation will create a remedial action plan an site assessment of four environmentally challenged commercial sites located in two economically distressed communities within Suffolk County
• $20,000—Suffolk County Landbank Corporation-will conduct feasibility studies for infrastructure development
• $3M—Long Island McArthur Airport-The Town of Islip will renovate and existing building on its McArthur Airport Property to accommodate a Federal Inspection Station that will allow international flights from Europe and the Western Hemisphere to fly directly into McArthur Airport.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police arrested a man for driving while ability impaired by drugs, after police revived him when he was unconscious and not breathing at a red light in Islandia on Thursday, December 10.

Robert Moore was stopped at a red light on Motor Parkway and Express Drive South when he became unconscious and stopped breathing. Two Good Samaritans had pulled over and rendered assistance before police arrived.

Suffolk County Police arrested Robert Moore, 23, of West Islip for DWAI after police revived him when he was unconscious and not breathing in Islandia on Thursday, December 10. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Fourth Precinct officers responded and Police Officer Kathleen Cotter, a member of the SCPD Medical Crisis Action Team (MEDCAT), administrated intranasal Narcan to Moore, who regained consciousness.

Moore, 23, of West Islip, was transported to St. Catherine of Sienna Medical Center in Smithtown where he was treated and released.

Moore was charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and is being held overnight at the Third Precinct. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on December 11.

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.

Calls for Moratorium on Grading and Punishing Schools Based on Tests

(Long Island, NY) In response to the report from the Common Core Task Force, the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement today:

“The recommendation for a moratorium on using tests to grade teachers is very important. The Governor should move forward with this plan. If the tests are not valid for grading teachers, then they are not valid for grading schools. Therefore, Governor Cuomo should also place a moratorium on top down, punitive receivership in struggling schools,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education. “Don’t get me wrong, significant interventions are needed in struggling schools including investment in high quality curriculum and family engagement. They also require more supports for students, such as social workers and health clinics. These strategies will work, but they must be coupled with local control. The state appears to be learning from the error of its ways. Using high-stakes testing to grade and punish teachers is wrong, so there is no justification for continuing to use these same tests to grade and punish schools.

As recommended the state re-evaluate the standards to ensure that they are developmentally appropriate. But standards are not enough, schools need a high quality curriculum that meets the needs of the whole student and this requires state investment to improve the course offerings in our neediest schools. We see it as the wealthiest schools have great curricula and poorer schools can only offer less options. In this process it is important that the state engage all the stakeholders including teachers, parents and students.”

(Long Island, NY) “I am thrilled that the Long Island region has been awarded nearly $100 million in funding from the Regional Economic Development Council this year,” said New York State Assemblyman Michael Montesano. “The funding will allow 121 projects in Nassau and Suffolk Counties to be completed.  These important projects will help expand and revitalize many organizations, and ultimately strengthen the economic climate and spur job creation across the 15^th Assembly District.”

(Long Island, NY) Assemblymen Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) and Andrew Raia (R,I,C-East Northport) recently congratulated East Northport Fire Department Ex-Chief Joseph Ervin and Assistant Chief Daniel Heffernan for a valiant rescue effort amidst a raging house fire on May 4, 2014.

In a letter nominating Ervin and Heffernan for Fire Chief of the Year, First Assistant Chief Wayne Kifler, Jr. wrote that the “extreme effort that both Chiefs displayed in entering the house to search for a victim” merited the recognition. Lupinacci and Raia celebrated the men during the annual Town of Huntington Fire Chiefs Council dinner on December 6.

Assemblymen Chad Lupinacci and Andrew Raia congratulated East Northport Fire Department Ex-Chief Joseph Ervin and Assistant Chief Daniel Heffernan for a May 4 rescue. Photo Credit: NYS.

“In executing their duties, these selfless men displayed tremendous valor,” Lupinacci said. “I am proud to honor the fine work of these two gentlemen and continue to be extremely grateful for the exemplary volunteer service Long Island firefighters provide to our communities every day.”

“I am so pleased to have joined Assemblyman Lupinacci in recognizing the heroic acts of Joseph Ervin and Daniel Heffernan,” Raia added. “Their courage is truly admirable, and I extend my sincere appreciation to them, as well as all volunteer firefighters, who regularly demonstrate exemplary service and dedication in order to protect our friends, families and neighbors.”

Heffernan was first on the scene at 9:27 p.m., when he radioed in the fire. A neighbor told him that an elderly victim, 90, lived alone in the home and was trapped inside. Minutes later, Ervin was on scene and joined in the search for the victim in “extreme heat and heavy smoke conditions.”

(Long Island, NY) The Fourth Squad is investigating a Robbery that occurred on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 5:50 A.M. in Inwood.

According to detectives, a male victim, 25 was walking north on Lawrence Avenue when he was approached by three male blacks between 16 and 20 years old, wearing black clothing and black face masks.

Nassau County Police investigating a Robbery that occurred on Thursday, December 10 in Inwood. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

One subject (5’5” tall) punched the victim in the face while the two other subjects (both 5’ 10” tall) knocked him down and repeatedly kicked the victim.

The subjects forcibly took the victims iPhone and an undetermined amount of US currency then fled westbound on Loretta Street. The victim sustained minor lacerations and was treated at scene.

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