April 2015

Newsletter Publication of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office

Thank you for taking the time to read the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Newsletter.  We appreciate this opportunity to inform readers about the many programs and initiatives we offer. 

Since April is Autism Awareness Month, we are highlighting our Project Lifesaver initiative as our top story. The program utilizes technologically advanced equipment to locate individuals that have a tendency to wander away from their caregivers.  Another important and potentially lifesaving program is our Operation Safe Child initiative.  You can also read more about it below. 

We welcome your suggestions, photos and story ideas for upcoming issues. Send us an email anytime.  You may also share this information with a friend or on social media by clicking here.

VINCENT  F. DeMARCO
Suffolk County Sheriff

April is not only Autism Awareness Month, it’s typically a time when people begin to spend more time outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather. However, for a parent or guardian of a child with autism, a trip to the local park or downtown might cause significant safety concerns because children with autism have a tendency to wander off.

Project Lifesaver is a countywide emergency response locator service capable of finding individuals if they wander and become lost.  Additionally, the Sheriff’s Project Lifesaver personnel are specially trained, not only in search and rescue with the use of the electronic tracking equipment, but also in the methods necessary to communicate with a person who has a cognitive impairment such as Autism, or other mental challenges.

HOW TO ENROLL IN PROJECT LIFESAVER
Enrollment applications can be obtained by calling (631) 852-3003. Your enrollment application must be completed and submitted to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office at 100 Center Drive, Riverhead, N.Y. 11901. Once your application is reviewed, an appointment will be made for a home visit by a Project Lifesaver specialist from the Sheriff’s Office.

HOW TO PURCHASE THE PROJECT LIFESAVER EQUIPMENT
The purchase of enrollment equipment is coordinated through the Sheriff’s Office once the client’s application is approved.

COST TO ENROLL
The transmitter, transmitter case, transmitter tester, battery and wristband costs $300.00 (approximately), plus tax & shipping. The battery and wristband has to be changed monthly and a new battery and wristband installed. This costs about $10.00 each month.

MONTHLY MAINTENANCE
Monthly and/or yearly battery and wristband purchases may be requested by calling the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office at (631) 852-3003. You may also contact any other registered Project Lifesaver International sponsor, or care facility.

For more information about the program, visit www.suffolksheriff.com, or call the Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver Bureau at (631) 852-3003.

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office can photograph and fingerprint children and submit their relevant information to the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services (Amber Alert). Parents are issued ID cards to keep for their children.  The card contains critical information to aid in a child’s search should they ever go missing.

The Sheriff's Office provides this service to the community during public events.  Please call 852-3763 for more information.

On Friday, May 1, 2015 at 6:00 pm, Hope House Ministries will hold its Opioid overdose responder training at their facility in Port Jefferson. The NYS funded  Program is administered by Dr. Jennifer Serrentino and James Murdocco from Hope House and Port Jefferson EMS.  The program offers civilians the opportunity to be trained and equipped with a Narcan response kit. The kit is used to reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.

Click here to register or call 631-928-2377 for more information.

Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco stopped by the Knights of Columbus in Ronkonkoma on Thursday, March 12th to visit with volunteers for the Long Island Chapter of The Giving Doll and to pick up fifty dolls made for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office’s Domestic Violence Bureau. The dolls will be given out by Deputy Sheriffs at the Central Islip Courthouse to children whose parents or guardians are seeking Orders of Protection in Family Court.

“Unfortunately, we see many young children come through our Domestic Violence Bureau and it’s often an emotionally traumatic day. I’m very grateful for the donation and I know the dolls will help lift the spirits of the children and the parents during an otherwise very stressful time,” said Sheriff DeMarco.

The local chapter of the organization was founded by Maureen Ennis of Lake Ronkonkoma in the fall of 2011, and has since crafted and donated almost 5000 handmade dolls. On the day of the Sheriff’s visit, nearly 80 volunteers worked in teams sewing, stuffing and dressing the dolls, which would be packed and delivered to charities and hospitals throughout Long Island and the world.

“We appreciate the work of all our volunteers who helped to make this donation possible to the Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Bureau. We look forward to working with Sheriff DeMarco for years to come to provide The Giving Dolls to victims of crimes and domestic violence,” said Maureen Ennis.

The Giving Doll is continually seeking volunteers and donations. Call (631) 278-4699 or visit them online at www.thegivingdoll.org for more information.

Sheriff DeMarco joined with county and community leaders on March 13th to voice his support for raising the age of criminal responsibility in New York State to age 18.  This would enable justice-involved youth to receive appropriate mental health, substance abuse and behavioral programs, and other age-appropriate supportive services, that are offered through the Family Court System.  New York and North Carolina are the only states that charge 16 and 17 year olds as adults.  Sheriff DeMarco also stated that youth accused of certain violent crimes should continue to be adjudicated in the adult criminal justice system.  

Suffolk County Correction Officer Monique McCray was honored by the Suffolk County Legislature for her exceptional work with youth inside the jail and in her community. In January, she was also named Officer of the Year by the Southampton Kiwanis Club at their annual police awards ceremony.  Officer McCray is a correction officer with Sheriff DeMarco's Youth Tier Initiative.

Correction Officer Bryan Stoothoff and Deputy Sheriff Thomas Indence were on hand at the Women's Health Fair in Greenlawn to hand out information on the many programs the Sheriff's Office offers including Yellow Dot, Project Lifesaver, and Medical ID cards.

For more information, see our list of Community Relations programs.

An appearance by McGruff delighted 1st and 2nd graders at the Riverhead Charter School on Wednesday, April 1st. The students had completed the 4 week McGruff safety program which focuses on bullying and stranger danger. McGruff was there to help Officer Julius Nelson, from the Community Relations Unit, hand out the graduation certificates.

On March 28th, about 200 Drivers Education students at the Gersh Academy in Hauppauge participated in the Sheriff's S.T.O.P.P.E.D. program. This program teaches new drivers the dangers of driving under the influence and distracted driving. Deputies have been providing this program at the Gersh Academy for many years. To request this program for your school please visit  suffolksheriff.com.

Captain Rick Clay, Commanding Officer of the Enforcement Bureau, was honored with a walk-out ceremony, marking the beginning of his retirement after a 31 year career with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office congratulates Captain Clay on his distinguished career.

Students from Barnsley College in South Yorkshire, England visited the Riverhead Correctional Facility on March 6, 2015. Students from this college visit the United States every year to learn more about our criminal justice system.

The Sheriff's Office was in Montauk on March 22nd for the 53rd Annual Friends of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Sgt. Weinfeld and Officer Stoothoff attended the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center Conference & Expo at the Melville Marriot on March 27, 2015 to hand out information on Project Lifesaver.

The G.R.E.A.T. program is in its seventh year at Longwood Middle School. This 13 week program helps prevent bullying, youth crime, drug use, and gang involvement. At the end of the program students participatedin the 1st Annual G.R.E.A.T. Olympics to reinforce aspects of the program. The officers incorporated academic questions into challenging competitions such as relay races and tug of war.