Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are investigating a shooting that took place at Melissa’s Restaurant in Huntington Station this past Saturday, Oct. 22.
Second Precinct patrol officers responded to a shot spotter activation, which is technology used to detect when shots are fired, at the restaurant, on New York Ave. at 2:16 a.m. Several patrons reported hearing shots, shell casings were recovered and police determined shots were fired. Police said the suspect was described as an Hispanic male wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt pulled tightly around his face.
The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about the incident to call the Second Squad at 631-854-8252 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern. File photo by Rohma Abbas
A victory was gained in the fight against opioid abuse this month, as the Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved a new bill that prohibits the sale and possession of U-47700, a highly addictive synthetic opioid drug.
“We must protect our young people from synthetic opioids like U-47700 that we know lead to addiction, graduation to heroin and potential death.” —Steve Stern
The pink pill contains fentanyl, another addictive and dangerous opioid, and is resistant to treatment with Narcan, a drug used to revive people who have overdosed.
Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) created the bill, which passed Oct. 5.
“We must do everything in our power to protect our young people from synthetic opioids like U-47700 that we know lead to addiction, serious health effects, graduation to heroin and potential death,” Stern said in a statement.
Stern’s office said U-47700 was originally developed by the pharmaceutical industry as an alternative to morphine but was never marketed when it was determined to be more than eight times as potent as morphine. The drug is manufactured overseas, mainly in China and is sold at a low cost on the internet, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
It can be smoked, snorted or orally ingested and can cause respiratory depression, coma, permanent brain damage and death.The DEA temporarily listed the drug on Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act in September because of the imminent hazard it presents to public safety.
Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse, are not currently accepted for medical use in the U.S. and are deemed unsafe even under medical supervision. Other drugs in the Schedule I list include heroin, LSD and ecstasy.
Many states, including Georgia, Ohio and Wyoming, have banned the drug.
The DEA confirmed at least 15 fatalities from the use of U-47700, and according to news sources, at least 50 deaths nationwide can be linked to the drug.
According to the bill, any person who knowingly violates the law will be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year of imprisonment. The law goes into effect immediately after the Office of the Secretary of State files it.
The legislation to prohibit its sale was supported by the entire legislature, as well as Health Commissioner James Tomarken and Police Commissioner Tim Sini.
“I thank my colleagues on the Legislature for joining me in taking meaningful action to protect the health and safety of our communities,” Stern said.
A three-car crash left one car overturned in Huntington Station Oct. 15. Photo by Steve Silverman
A three-vehicle crash in Huntington Station left one car on its side Oct. 15.
Huntington Manor Fire Department and Suffolk Police responded to the scene last Saturday night, on East Jericho Turnpike and Thorney Avenue in Huntington Station.
Manor firefighters dispatched an engine and heavy rescue truck, under the direction of Third Assistant Chief Chuck Brady. Firefighters applied an absorbent for a fuel spill and secured the vehicles. One injured driver was transported to Huntington Hospital by the Huntington Community First Aid Squad.
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A scene from the Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show Oct. 16 in St. James. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
The Long Island Cars Fall Harvest Car Show brought hundreds to St. James Sunday, Oct. 16, where dozens of vintage rides spanning from 1910 to the newest models were on display.
A young girl bobs for apples at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A family creates a scarecrow at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
The Huntington Militia gives a musket demonstration at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
Two boys enjoy candy apples at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
Two young girls pick pumpkins at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A family creates a scarecrow at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
Huntington residents enjoy a hay ride at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
The Huntington Militia gives a musket demonstration at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
The Huntington Militia gives a musket demonstration at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A family creates a scarecrow at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
A family creates a scarecrow at Huntington Historical Society's Apple Festival Oct. 16. Photo by Victoria Espinoza
The Huntington Historical Society hosted it’s annual Apple Festival at the Kissam House on Park Avenue in Huntington this past Sunday, Oct. 16. Residents enjoyed hayrides, scarecrow making, bobbing for apples, militia demonstrations and more.
The New York State Education Department wants teachers and parents to weigh in on changes to Common Core State Standards, and voices are already criticizing the proposals.
The department released a draft of new learning standards for public comment at the end of last month, which included recommendations to change 60 percent of the English language arts standards and 55 percent of the math standards for New York state.
“The overriding opinion is that it’s more of the same. They didn’t really make any substantive changes. These are more revised phrasing and language. They’re attached at the hip to the original standards.”
—Joe Rella
The recommendations came from two committees comprised of more than 130 parents and teachers and included creating a new early learning task force and a glossary of math verbs and English terms.
Middle Country Central School District Superintendent Roberta A. Gerold said teachers in the district will be reviewing the changes and submitting their commentary made throughout the month of October.
“I think that it’s good that state education is asking for teacher’s perspectives and comments on whether or not the revisions are appropriate,” Gerold said. “It says to me that they’re not finished with their revisions, because there are still adjustments that need to be made. Some of them were simple language changes, but I think there’s still more solid work that needs to be done.”
The NYS Allies for Public Education applauded the committee’s efforts but said due to the confining nature of the state education department the results are not substantive content changes.
“The result of their efforts is essentially just a rebranding of the Common Core,” the group said in a statement.
Comsewogue school district Superintendent Joe Rella echoed those sentiments.
“The overriding opinion is that it’s more of the same,” he said in a phone interview. “They didn’t really make any substantive changes. These are more revised phrasing and language. They’re attached at the hip to the original standards.”
He also said the department should have looked at the use of standards themselves.
“It was not meant to do anything but review the current standards,” Rella said. “They never got into the bigger picture, which is the appropriateness of the standards.” The superintendent said he is not anticipating anything different this school year because of the proposed modifications.
Jim Polansky, superintendent at Huntington school district, also questioned how effective these changes would be to districts.
“The truth is that the large majority of those changes are immaterial,” he said in an email. “There is still a chance that additional modifications to the new draft standards will be made following the comment period; however, I don’t anticipate that any further changes will be particularly significant either. I do not necessarily believe that the new set will be drastically different from the current Common Core.”
NYS Education Department Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said committee members spent a year listening to public comment before drafting new standards.
“Dedicated teachers, parents and educators from across the state put in countless hours to develop these new draft standards,” Elia said in a statement. “Teachers will be able to use these standards as a basis for developing their curricula and lesson plans to meet the needs of students in their classrooms. These changes reflect what I have heard from parents, teachers and administrators over the past year in my travels across the state.”
For the ELA changes, five subcommittee groups based on grade levels reviewed the original standards to see if they met the criteria for what a student should know and be able to perform at their grade level, and recommended new areas to improve standards.
Specific changes include more focus on students in prekindergarten to second grade, with an early learning task force that discusses issues for younger learners, teaching from a wider variety of texts, and developing clear communication with parents so they understand the curriculum and assignments their children are given.
Math changes include creating a glossary of verbs associated with mathematics, maintaining the rigor of standards so students are aware of what is expected of them at every grade level and providing more time for students to understand mathematics content.
Smithtown Superintendent James Grossane said his district intends to give a thorough response to the state on the changes.
“Some of the new standards reflect changes that we had already made in our local curriculum and instruction based on our own teacher and administrator input,” he said in an email. “We are providing detailed feedback to the NY State Education Department on the revised standards and will await final adoption before making any additional local changes.”
Gerold also said the reactions from the public are an important part of the process.
“I know that there’s some debate going around the state whether the changes were deep enough or developmentally appropriate,” she said. “I think all of that information will be more valid once the feedback is received from all of the stakeholders.”
To review the new English standards in more detail visit the website www.nysed.gov/draft-standards-english-language-arts, and for math standards see www.nysed.gov/draft-standards-mathematics. The public can also comment on the changes by completing a grade-level specific survey.
The Smithtown Library. File photo by Rachel Shapiro
Smithtown Library’s $14.3 million budget was overwhelmingly approved Tuesday Oct. 11, with 1,018 yes votes to 307 no votes. The budget is a 1.13 percent increase and will cost homeowners about $12.85 more than last year’s budget.
Salary and employee benefits make up the majority of the budget, coming in at about $10.5 million, and then about $1 million for a debt service-expansion referendum.
Library Trustees Gerard Cairns and Joseph Vallone were both elected to another term, and newcomer Anita Dowd-Neufeld won a seat on the board as well.
Cairns, who received 1,008 votes, said he wanted to focus in updating technology and ensuring the library is a useful community resource.
“Technology is rapidly changing and the library must continue to strategically develop new ways to deliver services in partnership with our communities,” he said in a statement. “This would include, of course, book lending, research, a wide variety of course offerings for all ages, DVD lending, individual and small group consultations with librarians, access for community groups needing a venue, availability of computers and other media, showcase art and other member achievements and concerts.”
Vallone, who received 1,067 votes agreed about the importance of technology use in the library.
“I want to help the Library stay on the cusp of technological trends and continue to address patron interests,” he said in a statement. “I will also continue to explore avenues for grants through governmental agencies and private foundations.”
Dowd-Neufeld, who received 1,052 votes, said she would work to make sure the library continues to offer programs to the residents.
“My goals would be to assist the trustees and the staff in continuing to promote these programs to the communities we are part of,” she said in a statement. “This would include increased outreach to undeserved populations, such as the disabled and other special need minority groups. I would also assist staff and trustees in coordinating and executing fundraising events and submitting grant proposals for funding special projects and initiatives.”
There were 25 write-in ballots, according to the library.
Commentators on the rising opioid crisis in the United States commonly say dealing with the problem requires a multi-pronged approach, and the Suffolk County Police Department agrees.
The department has expanded efforts to combat the many fronts of the opioid crisis, including prevention, treatment and enforcement.
Police Commissioner Tim Sini said in an interview that the opioid problem is the number one public safety and public health issue in Suffolk County.
“We have over 100 opioid-related overdoses every year for the past several years, and then when you consider the more than 500 Narcan saves on top of that, the tragic loss of life and the near tragic loss of life is just shocking,” he said at police headquarters in Yaphank.
It’s no secret the SCPD has their job cut out for them — in 2014 Suffolk County had the highest number of overdose deaths involving heroin, and was the leader in deaths where prescription opioids were a factor in the state, according to a report by the New York State Comptroller’s office from June.
In 2014 Suffolk County had the highest number of overdose deaths with heroin, and was the leader in deaths where prescription opioids were a factor in NY
Sini also highlighted how crime is so closely associated with an increase in drug activity.
“Addicts often resort to burglaries and larcenies, and sometimes they elevate to robberies,” he said. “And now we’re seeing our gangs getting involved in the heroin trade because there is a lot of money to be made and there are so many customers.”
The commissioner said the department is working as hard as it can to ensure it’s as inconvenient as possible to sell drugs in Suffolk County.
At the end of March, SCPD started a program that encourages residents to call 631-852-NARC, an anonymous hotline encouraging residents to call in with drug tips they have. If the tip leads to an arrest, the resident is entitled to a cash reward. This initiative works in conjunction with Crime Stoppers, a program that connects local police departments with the public and media to help find suspects and collect information that can lead to arrests.
“Since we rolled [the drug hotline] out at the end of March, we’ve received over 500 tips on that line, and many of those have resulted in investigations and search warrants,” Sini said. “We’ve seized kilogram quantities of narcotics as a result of this initiative, over a million dollars in drug money, dozens and dozens of weapons, and over 200 arrests under this initiative. It’s important because not only does it take drugs off the street but it sends the message that we’re not going to tolerate drug dealing in our communities.”
The police department has said open communication with the public is an important part of this fight, because the more communities speak up and help the department, the better work the police can do.
Sini said since he took over, there has been almost a 200 percent increase in the amount of search warrants executed, and many of these are due to tips from residents.
“[Search warrants] are very important because it disrupts drug operations before they become too significant,” Sini said. “It takes guns and drugs off the streets, and also strengthens the partnership between the police department and the community. It encourages people to be more informative.”
Relationships with federal law enforcement partners have also been re-established, Sini said, and five detectives now work with the Drug Enforcement Administration; four focus on the heroin trade and the fifth investigates doctors and pharmacists who have been reported to unlawfully dispense or prescribe pain medication.
The police department has also focused resources on treating drug addicts who are in the throes of addiction.
Inmates at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Yaphank have the option of receiving voluntary medical assistance while still in jail. The department offers inmates who are eligible for the program, meaning they don’t have any drugs currently in their system and have said they want to commit to getting clean, an injection of Vivitrol, a drug that works as an opioid antagonist, blocking the opioid receptors in the brain and preventing someone from getting high for 30 days.
“It gives you that mental clarity and stability to essentially not relapse, so you can stay in treatment,” Sini said. “It’s highly effective but most addicts don’t want to use it because once you take that shot, you know you can’t get high for thirty days. So it takes someone who is really committed to getting help.”
Sini said the program starts in jail, and they look for inmates who have essentially been incarcerated because they are addicted to drugs, with arrests due to burglaries, possession, and other drug-related crimes. Incarcerated individuals receive their first shot in jail, and then are set up with a treatment provider in their community to work with when they are released.
“This is a multifaceted problem that creates issues for families, schools, the police department, probation, courts, medical examiners, churches and more. And everyone has got to be at the table.”
— Tim Sini
Suffolk County officers are also dedicated to providing programs that help with prevention.
The Ugly Truth is a program meant to educate school districts and community groups on the dangers this growing problem poses for all different age groups in Suffolk County. There are many other programs in effect right now being taught throughout the county.
“If we can prevent someone from ever going down that road, that’s where you’ll get your biggest bang for your buck,” Sini said.
The commissioner said he is only interested in working with evidence-based programs, which are resources that have been studied by analysts to prove their effectiveness.
Certain police officers are also designated as school resource officers. They are assigned to specific districts to participate in awareness programs with the students.
Sini said despite all the resources the department provides, more needs to be done.
“The silver lining is, among the experts there is consensus,” Sini said. “We don’t sit there and debate if addiction is a disease or if the cops can solve this problem. We all get it; this is a multifaceted problem that creates issues for families, schools, the police department, probation, courts, medical examiners, churches and more. And everyone has got to be at the table.”
Huntington town officials hope federal funding will help crack down on drug use and gang violence. File photo
State legislation
In the 2016 legislative session, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a comprehensive package of bills, aimed at increasing access to treatment, expanding community prevention strategies and limiting the overprescription of opioids in the state. Some of the most important parts of the bills are highlighted below:
• Legislation now ensures insurers must cover “necessary” inpatient services for substance use disorder treatments for as long as an individual needs them. Review from the company can only begin 14 days after treatment to ensure each patient has two weeks of uninterrupted and covered care.
• Insurers are prohibited from requiring prior approval for emergency supplies of these medications.
• Insurers must use objective state-approved criteria to determine the level of care for individuals suffering from substance abuse.
• Insurers must cover the costs of Narcan to families with individuals suffering from substance abuse.
• Families now offered 72 hours of emergency treatment, instead of 48 hours, for family members so they can be stabilized and connected to longer-term addiction treatment options while also balancing individual rights of the incapacitated individuals.
• Requires hospitals to provide follow-up service options to individuals upon hospital discharge to connect patients with nearby treatment options to provide continuous medical care.
• Reducing opioid prescription limits from 30 days to seven days, with exceptions of chronic pain and other conditions.
• Health care professionals must complete three hours of education every three years on addiction, pain management and palliative care.
State budget
The 2016-17 state government has allotted funding to help curb the growing substance abuse problem. A breakdown of the budget below:
• Nearly $200 million through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services will be used to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic, an 82 percent increase in state spending since 2011.
• This investment includes $66 million for residential treatment beds, including counseling and support services for roughly 8,000 individuals.
• $38 million to fund medication-assisted treatment programs that serve about 12,000 clients in residential or outpatient settings.
• $25 million in funding for state-operated addiction treatment centers.
• $24 million for outpatient services that provide group and individual counseling.
• $8 million for crisis/detox programs to manage and treat withdrawal from heroin and opioids.
NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force
Comprised of health care providers, policy advocates, educators, parents and New Yorkers in recovery, the task force will build on the state’s previous efforts and use its expertise and first-hand experience to develop a comprehensive action plan to combat the state’s opioid epidemic. The task force will focus immediately on expanding awareness of heroin and opioid addiction; enhance statewide prevention efforts; increase access to treatment; improve support for those in recovery; and concentrate on law enforcement recommendations to reduce the supply of opioids. Members plan to hold public sessions across the state.
Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, 2016
• Signed into law by President Barack Obama (D) in July.
• $8.3 billion in addiction funding.
• $160 million for the expansion of medication-assisted treatment options, including grants that will be awarded to state, local and tribal governments to provide opioid abuse services.
• $80 million in funding to help prevent and treat addiction on a local level through community-based education, prevention, treatment and recovery programs.
• $103 million to establish a community-based competitive grant program to address and treat the problems of heroin and opioid addiction and abuse.
• Grants will help fund programs that could expand treatment alternatives to incarcerations — with consent of attorneys and participants — for individuals who meet the program’s criteria.
Angelina Navas, left, and Gianna Figliolia were arrested for burglary. Photo from SCPD.
Suffolk County Police arrested two women for burglarizing an occupied home in Huntington Station Oct. 4.
Officer said a resident of a home on Oakcrest Drive woke up after hearing a noise and observed two people standing in the hallway of her home at approximately 3:15 a.m. They fled and she called 911. 2nd Precinct Patrol, Canine Section and Aviation Section officers responded.
Approximately 30 minutes later, Officer Jesus Faya located Gianna Figliolia, 25, and arrested her. Officers Heather McQuade and Bobby Temple then located Angelina Navas, 24, several hours later and arrested her.
Following an investigation by Second Squad detectives, Figliolia, of Sound Beach, was charged with second-degree burglary, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Angelina Navas, of Ridge, was charged with second-degree burglary and possession of a hypodermic instrument.
Figliolia and Navas will be held overnight at the 4th Precinct for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on October 5.
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