(Long Island, NY) The Seventh Squad reports the arrest of a Kew Gardens man for Burglary that occurred on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 8:25 a.m. in Bellmore.

According to detectives, First Precinct officers received a 911 call for a leaving the scene of an auto accident on Sunrise Highway and Babylon Turnpike in Merrick. The male victim, 33, followed the subject to the ramp of the Meadowbrook Parkway and communicated the location to the responding officers via 911.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Mario Bonilla, 21, of Kew Gardens, for Burglary that occurred on Saturday, August 1, in Bellmore. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The defendant, Mario Bonilla, 21, was unable to produce a valid driver’s license or registration for a 2014 Ford Edge he was operating. During the investigation it was determined the defendant had broken a window at South Bellmore Auto Care located at 2501 Merrick Road and removed the keys from a desk and fled in the vehicle. He was placed under arrest without incident.

Bonilla is being charged with Burglary 3rd degree, Grand Larceny 4th degree and multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations and was arraigned on Sunday, August 2, 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) Two Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers rescued a man and woman from a rip current at Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island on Saturday, August 1.

Elias Bahou and Katherine Robson were swimming in the ocean south of Oneida Street and Champlain Walk in Ocean Bay Park when they were caught in a rip current and swept out to sea. Onlookers called 911 for assistance at 2:17 p.m.

Suffolk County Police rescued a man and woman from a rip current at Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island on Saturday, August 1. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Officers Anthony Sangimino and Michael Malone were patrolling nearby and responded to the call of swimmers in distress. Both Sangimino and Malone entered the water with flotation devices to attempt a rescue. Sangimino reached the victims first and passed the flotation device to them. Sangimino and the two victims were still caught in the rip current and pulled from shore, so Sangimino advised the two to remain calm and wait until they were carried out of the rip. Once out of the rip, all three were able to swim to shore through the breaking waves. Bahou, Robson and Officer Sangimino were out of the water at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Surf height at the time of the rescue was approximately 4 feet and a National Weather Service advisory for strong rip currents was in effect.

Bahou, 29, of Huntington, and Robson, 30, of North Massapequa, were checked out by EMTs from the Ocean Beach Fire Department Ambulance and refused further medical attention.

Three men were rescued at Ocean Bay Park by Marine Bureau officers the day before. Officer Malone assisted in that rescue as well.

The Marine Bureau advises swimmers to swim only on guarded beaches. If caught in a rip current, remember these survival tips:

• Keep calm.
• To get out of the rip current, swim parallel to the beach.
• When out of the rip current, swim at an angle away from the rip current and toward shore.
• If you can’t escape this way, float or calmly tread water.

(Long Island, NY) The Third Squad reports the arrest of a New Cassel man for Burglary on Friday, July 31, 2015 at 10:08 p.m. in New Cassel.

According to detectives, on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 10:00 p.m. Joshua Johnson, 19, was seen removing a safe containing an undetermined amount of US currency from a Maplewood Drive, New Cassel residence. On July 31, 2015 the defendant was located by detectives on Bond Street and when approached fled on foot northbound.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Joshua Johnson, 19, of New Cassel for Burglary on Friday, July 31, in New Cassel. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

The defendant was found hiding under a vehicle on Juniper Street by members of the Canine Unit with assistance from officers of the Third Precinct and Bureau of Special Operations and placed under arrest.

Johnson is being charged with Burglary 2nd degree, Violation of Probation and Criminal Possession of Marihuana 5th degree and will be arraigned on Saturday, August 1, 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) Suffolk County Police arrested a man Friday, July 31, in connection with a shooting at a barber shop in Bay Shore on July 30, 2015.

James Nicholson, 32, of Bay Shore, was charged with Assault 1st Degree.

Suffolk County Police arrested James Nicholson, 32, of Bay Shore, in connection with a shooting at a barber shop in Bay Shore. Photo Credit: SCPD.

A 30-year-old Bay Shore man was shot inside the Headfellas Barber Shop, located at 1773 Union Blvd., at approximately 12:30 a.m. The victim left the shop and walked a short distance where he collapsed. Police were called and the victim was transported to a local hospital by ambulance with two gunshot wounds to his abdominal area. He is currently listed in critical condition.

Nicholson was held at the Third Precinct and was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on August 1.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have information about this incident to call the Third Squad at 631-854-8352 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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.

Classes Offered in Brentwood, Huntington

(Long Island, NY) In recognition of Suffolk County’s 1st annual Lung Cancer Awareness Day on Aug. 1, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory encourages residents who want to quit smoking to join free “Learn to Be…Tobacco Free” classes at the Huntington and Brentwood Public Libraries.

“I encourage everyone who wants to stop smoking to sign up for this program,” said Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory. “Seventy-four percent of smokers want to quit, which is testament to the well-known fact that giving up nicotine is no easy task. No one should be alone in the quest for a healthier life, and the support that comes with the community of a class can help.”

According to the American Cancer Society, blood circulation and lung functioning can improve as soon as two weeks after an individual quits smoking, and coughing and shortness of breath can decrease after a month. A year after quitting, a former smoker has half the risk of developing coronary heart disease than does a continuing smoker. Additionally, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, quitting smoking not only reduces the risk of lung and other types of cancer, but may also reduce the risk of infertility in women of childbearing age.

The classes are free for all Suffolk County residents, though there is a fee for medication for eligible participants.

Classes began in mid-July, but they continue until the end of August. New participants are welcome at any meeting. Future classes are at the following locations and times: 

• Huntington Library
  1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station, NY  11746
  Thursdays from 6 p.m.–7 p.m.
  Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27
  Contact: 631-421-5053
• Brentwood Library
  2^nd Ave & 4^th St, Brentwood, NY 11717
  Thursdays from 6 p.m.–7 p.m.
  Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27
  Contact: 631-273-7883

The resolution that created Suffolk County’s Lung Cancer Awareness Day was introduced by 7th District Legislator and Majority Leader Rob Calarco and former 12th District Legislator and current Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy.

(Long Island, NY) Two Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers, along with an off-duty lifeguard, rescued three men from a rip current at Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island on Friday, July 31.

Peter Giorgianni, 62, of Babylon, was swimming in the ocean and caught a rip current which pulled him out to sea. Michael Baruch, 22, of Smithtown and Kevin Mannix, 49, of Nesconset, attempted to reach Giorgianni, but also caught a rip current and were brought to sea.

Suffolk County Police and an off-duty lifeguard rescued three men from a rip current at Fire Island on Friday, July 31. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Marine Bureau Officers Charles Giardella and Michael Malone responded. Officer Giardella grabbed a life-ring and rescue line and entered the water with an off-duty lifeguard from Point O’ Woods. Officer Malone stayed on shore to coordinate the rescue and maintain communications.

Officer Giardella and the lifeguard swam approximately 100 feet past the breakers, when Officer Giardella passed the life ring to Giorgianni. Officer Giardella swam back to shore dragging the life ring by the rescue line, pulling Giorgianni through the rough waters.

Officer Giardella re-entered the water and again swam out through the breakers to pass the life ring to Mannix and Baruch to assist them to shore.

Surf height at the time of the rescue was approximately 4 feet. Giorgianni stated to the responding officers that he did not think he would have survived if they had not reached him.

Giorgianni was transported by Suffolk County Police boat to Marine Bureau Head Quarters in Great River, where he was transferred to Islip Exchange Ambulance and brought to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment. Mannix and Baruch refused medical attention at the scene.

The Marine Bureau advises swimmers to swim only on guarded beaches. If caught in a rip current, remember these survival tips:

• Keep calm.
• To get out of the rip current, swim parallel to the beach.
• When out of the rip current, swim at an angle away from the rip current and toward shore.
• If you can’t escape this way, float or calmly tread water.

(Long Island, NY) Community members are preventing Type 2 diabetes thanks to a Diabetes Prevention Program offered at St. Joseph Hospital. Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants are learning the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, becoming more physically active and managing stress.

People with prediabetes, higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels, are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within three years if they do not take steps to prevent it.

“One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” said Alysa Ferguson, MS, RD, CDE, director of the Diabetes Education Center at St. Joseph Hospital. “We offer a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and one’s peers.”

Participants learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to their routine, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes. The group meets once a week for 16 weeks, then once a month for 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together, participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.

St. Joseph Hospital’s program is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The local program meets at St. Joseph Hospital, Tuesday evenings, the next group begins August 4^th. Please call the Diabetes Education Center at (516) 520-2214 for more information and to see if you qualify.

St. Joseph is a 203-bed, community hospital and a member of Catholic Health Services.  It provides comprehensive inpatient medical, critical care and surgical services.

Plan Provides Framework for the Future of the Region; First Master Plan in 44 Years

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the adoption of the Comprehensive Master Plan 2035 document which was unanimously passed by the County Legislature.  The master plan provides the framework for sustainable growth and resiliency and for economic development that will help to retain and attract businesses and create jobs for Suffolk County residents.

The Comprehensive Master Plan 2035 document is the first comprehensive plan to be adopted by Suffolk County since 1971.

“The landscape of Suffolk County has dramatically changed over the last 45 years, and the need for an updated plan and vision is evident,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.  “The initial plan advanced several developments in response to dramatic population growth – like open space and farmland preservation programs – but now we must continue to build on our world-class assets.  Suffolk County’s future is now, and we must all come together to create a resilient and sustainable region.”

“On an island like ours, how we use our limited land is a reflection of our values, our expectations and our goals,” said David Calone, Suffolk County Planning Commission Chairman.  “The purpose of Suffolk County 2035 is to create a strategic plan for our county by determining where we are as a region and where we want to be.”

The plan includes hundreds of recommendations for the region’s future as well as current initiatives that are currently being launched –including the County’s Reclaim Our Water initiative, Innovation Zone plan and regional planning alliances, such as the agreement that was signed in April by the County, the Towns of Islip and Brookhaven and the Long Island Railroad.

The Comprehensive Master Plan 2035 encompasses three themes: revitalize, rebuild and reclaim.  The document stresses the importance of revitalizing the economy, rebuilding the region’s downtowns and infrastructure, and to reclaim the quality of the County’s groundwater, surface water and terrestrial resources.

The master plan additionally highlights the necessity to build a 21^st century transit network to provide more transportation outlets to improve mobility, access and safety; the need for careful planning in current and future projects; provide equitable, affordable and fair housing; enhance economic competitiveness and capacity to build an innovation economy; support vibrant communities; streamline government and coordinate policies; and protect the environment.

The plan also cites world-class research institutions, including Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, as essential to the County’s future.

County Executive Bellone collaboratively worked with members of the Suffolk County Planning Commission, town planners, Long Island Railroad and many other stakeholders to help shape the master plan.

Dr. Lee Koppelman, who served as Suffolk County’s first planning director from 1960-1988 and as executive director for the Regional Planning Board for 41 years, also worked with the County to provide his experience, insight and recommendations.

“I think supporting the most recent efforts of the Planning Department is a no brainer,” said Dr. Koppleman.  “No county anywhere in the nation has achieved the environmental protection that this county has achieved.  The county, in my judgement, is in very good hands, and the future of the county is, in my judgment, an absolutely bright one.”

Section 239-d (2) of Article 12-B of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York authorizes the County governing body to adopt a County Comprehensive Plan.

For more information on the master plan, log on to www.suffolkcountyny.gov or www.facebook.com/stevebellone.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police First Squad detectives are investigating a two-vehicle crash that seriously injured a woman in Deer Park on Sunday, August 2.

Catherine Beaumont was driving a 2014 Toyota Prius northbound on the shoulder of Deer Park Avenue and attempted to make a U-turn to proceed southbound on Deer Park avenue when her vehicle collided with a 2013 Hyundai Genesis at 11:47 p.m.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that seriously injured a woman in Deer Park on Sunday, August 2. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Beaumont, 48, of North Babylon, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. Her husband, Paul Beaumont, 53, who was a passenger in the car, was taken to the same hospital with minor injuries.

The driver of the Hyundai, Joseph Echel, 19, of Deer Park was not injured.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the First Squad at 631-854-8152.

Court Struck Down Local Protections Due to Weaker State Laws; Registry for Level-1 Offenders Set to Expire at Year’s End

(Long Island, NY) On Thursday, July 30, 2015 Village of Mastic Beach Mayor Maura Spery, Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) and New York State Assembly member Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) joined Executive Director Laura Ahearn of Parents for Megan’s Law and other elected officials in a bi-partisan show of support to call on New York State to empower local municipalities to enforce existing sex-offender restrictions that were struck down by the courts this past February. The officials also urged State Legislators to hold a special session in 2015 in order to extend sex-offender registry requirements for Level-1 offenders that are set to expire at the end of the year if no legislative action is taken.

In February 2015, the New York State Court of Appeals struck down all County-residency restriction laws and other protections that helped to keep the public and victims of sex crimes safer. Since current state law restricts only certain sex offenders on probation and parole from residing near schools, local laws that provided stricter regulations were ruled unenforceable. As a result, a Level-3 sex offender recently moved into a house three doors away from an elementary school. This is a dangerous trend that will continue across New York State because County restrictions were struck down.

Mastic Beach and local officials called on New York State to empower local municipalities to enforce existing sex-offender restrictions that were struck down by the courts this past February. Photo Credit: Village of Mastic Beach.

“The decision by the Appeals Court erases years of legislation that protects victims from these predators,” stated Mastic Beach Village Mayor Maura Spery. “The fact that children can now be re-victimized is unconscionable, and I support all of our elected officials who are working to reenact sensible laws to better restrict sex offenders and better protect their victims.”

Legislator Kate Browning sponsored the Suffolk County’s residency restrictions in 2006, a tool Suffolk County used effectively to prevent dangerous predators from living near playgrounds, schools and daycare centers. Additional laws Legislator Browning introduced to prevent sex offenders from using general-population emergency shelters and/or having more than one sex offender living in a single-family home while under government supervision or assistance are also affected by the court ruling.

“Nine years of successfully fighting to put in place common-sense protections for our children and other vulnerable populations was wiped out by one court ruling,” stated Legislator Kate Browning. “This is an issue that has a very large impact on my legislative district, and by eliminating all of the protections I fought so hard to implement, our communities are now more vulnerable to these dangerous individuals. New York State can reverse this terrible decision by giving local governments the power to implement our own laws rather than being bound by ineffective or absent state laws.”

“Laura Ahearn shared an example of a man convicted on charges of child pornography who moved to Long Island from Wyoming and was living roughly 400 feet from an elementary school. This is unacceptable.” said Assembly member Dean Murray. “This man was allowed to do so because the local restrictions that were in place in Suffolk County were wiped out by the State Court of Appeals decision in February. We are calling on the Governor to convene a special session immediately so we can go to Albany, pass our legislation and fix this terrible injustice.”

In addition, beginning January 1, 2016, registration for thousands of Level-1 sex offenders will end, and their names will drop off the sex-offender registry. If nothing is done, this will leave communities at greater risk.

The New York State Legislature and Governor can call a special session to address both of these critical issues. Mayor Spery, Legislator Browning and Assembly member Murray are calling on State officials to get this done in 2015 so that these important laws can be enforced in vulnerable communities that desperately need stricter protections from sexual predators.