January 2013

Newsletter Publication of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office

Thank you for checking out the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Newsletter.  We appreciate this opportunity to inform readers about programs run by the Sheriff's Office.

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VINCENT  F. DeMARCO
Suffolk County Sheriff

All eighteen members of the Suffolk County Legislature paid tribute to Suffolk County’s Correction Officers and Deputy Sheriffs on December 18, 2012 for their diligent and effective management of law enforcement challenges during Super Storm Sandy.

Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco toured Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson this month, and discussed the Sheriff's incarcerated youth program with Hope House's Founder and Executive Director, Father Francis Pizzarelli.

Sheriff DeMarco launched the youth program in September 2011 with the mission of promoting the successful transition of incarcerated youth, between the ages of 16 to 19, from jail to community life.

Incarcerated youth face many significant barriers to successful reentry, including family dysfunction, homelessness, substance abuse, educational deficits, lack of employment and mental health issues.  The services provided to the youth through this program address these needs during incarceration and post release.

Hope House Ministries has been an intregal part of the success of the initiative. James Murdocco represents Hope House Ministries on the Sheriff's Youth Reentry Task Force, and helped arrange the tour, which was attended by members of the Sheriff's staff, correction officers and Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn.

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At a press conference on December 20th, Sheriff Vincent DeMarco, Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota, along with Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, announced the indictment of a Brookhaven Town Highway employee, former NYPD officer and others for selling oxycodone & cocaine. The Sheriff's Office played a key role in the investigation.

The Ladies Auxilary of Rocky Point VFW Post 6249 recently donated blankets for the nursery at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead.  The blankets were knitted by Ms. Catherine Schmitt, who is pictured on the left, along with Ladies Auxiliary President, Janene Gentile. 

Ms. Gentile also serves as a member of Sheriff DeMarco's Youth Reentry and Substance Abuse Prevention task forces.

Members of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office attended the DDATS (Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety) Conference held in Kingston, NY last month.  Participants learned about the latest techniques in tracking and analyzing crime data and traffic patterns.

Correction Officers from the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office participated in the Polar Plunge event at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai on December 20, 2012.

Correction Officer Everett Oliver, Correction Officer Monique McCray, and Deputy Sheriff Andrea Villani represented the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Community Relations Unit at Youth Enrichment Services' Silver Anniversary Gala on December 5th. The Sheriff's G.R.E.A.T. program was recognized for its commitment to mentoring children in the local community.

Sheriff DeMarco recently visited Shelter Island to help dedicate a new memorial in honor of Henry H. Preston, who served our nation during the Civil War and as Suffolk County’s first salaried Sheriff from 1903 to 1906. DeMarco joined with descendants of Henry Preston, including his great-great grandson, Arthur Bloom, and other public officials at a ceremony held at Preston Plaza in front of the Shelter Island Police Station.

During the ceremony, Sheriff DeMarco remarked on the life of Sheriff Preston: “Like thousands of his fellow soldiers, he was injured during the Civil War and suffered from pain throughout his life.  His service and devotion to his country, in itself, makes him a hero.”

The memorial was constructed out of a granite boulder which originated from the site of the former 19th-century Griffing Avenue jail in Riverhead.

Community Relations Officer Everett Oliver and McGruff the Crime Dog handed out certificates to a 1st grade class at Lindenhurst Elementary School in December 2012.

Inv. Sgt. Steven Lundquist gave a presentation on gang activity on Long Island to a high school class at Eastport South Manor Junior- Senior High School on January 4, 2013.

Inmates in the Sheriff’s Vocational Training Program are seen here doing fence repair work at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank.

Students from Commack High School toured the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverside on January 8, 2013 as part of Sheriff DeMarco’s Youth Enlightenment Seminar (YES) program.  The tours give students a realistic view of incarceration. Community Relations Officer John Roche (pictured) led this morning’s tour.