The Fifth Precinct Holds Community Meeting

The Fifth Precinct held a community meeting on Sept. 7 to discuss important issues facing Sayville residents. The community meetings, which are held at the fifth precinct in Patchogue, are open to all and take place the first Tuesday of every month.

Police Officer Terrence Buckley, who works in community outreach and recruitment, began the meeting with updates on services available to the community and offered information for those interested in becoming a police officer. The next Suffolk County Police Department test is on June 11, 2011 (registration closes March 31.)  Last year a class of 70 was hired and Officer Buckley assured that there is currently no hiring freeze and they hope to match that number again this year. To find a list of eligibility requirements, and to apply online go to joinscpd.com.  "We hope for a nice big pool of candidates. We're still hiring off the 2007 list, but to stay eligible sign-up for the new test," said Buckley.

The community outreach specialist also mentioned the IDENT-A-KID Program, sponsored by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota.  The Ident-A-Kit includes a child's emergency contact information, medical history, photograph, DNA sample, thumbprints and safety tips. The program is available every Thursday, except holidays, by appointment only, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Police Headquarters in Yaphank. Call 852-6109 for further details.

Another service discussed was the Special Needs/Silver Alert Program for seniors with dementia. It provides them with a special I.D. bracelet, so that if they wander off they can quickly get back to where they belong.  Go to SuffolkPD.org to fill out an online registration.

Officer Buckley also explained the Gun Buy Back Program. Anyone can turn in an illegal handgun, anonymously, to the First, Third or Fifth Precinct (including a war souvenir) and receive a $200 reward. People shouldn't just walk into a police station with a handgun they'd like to surrender. If you have an illegal handgun, leave it in the car and ask an officer to escort you in with the weapon—no questions asked.

Another similar program is Operation Medicine Cabinet. Anyone who has any unneeded prescription drugs in pill form can bring them to any of the seven Suffolk County police precincts and dispose of them anonymously in a receptacle in the lobby.

There are also helpful family guides for parents and teens about heroin and other drug abuse available at the precinct.

Officer Buckley spoke about Suffolk County's Social Host Law, which provides a legal basis for holding adults responsible for allowing alcohol-fueled gatherings with youths under 21 to occur on their property, regardless of whether or not they supplied the intoxicants.

Inspector Aristides Mojica also spoke and said that one of the main objectives of these meetings is so that people can voice concerns about their neighborhood and residents in attendance spoke about recent burglaries within the Fifth Precinct. 

"In general people need to keep an eye out for what's going on, Mojica, referring to recent burglaries, including the one in Sayville over the weekend.  "You'd be surprised how often these things get resolved by citizen observation as home burglaries are primarily daytime events."  The officers warned that if someone you don't know comes to the door and says they can't hear you through it, they're lying, and you shouldn't open it.

The inspector suggested that if people want to organize a neighborhood watch the police provide consultation services. "But, we don't run the thing—you run it," he said, "The more help we have in neighborhoods the better it is for us."