Tuesday, March 4, 2025 11AM
West Islip Public Library / 3 Higbie Lane, West Islip

Next meeting: Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 7pm, Brentwood Public Library, 343 2nd Ave, Brentwood

The meeting was lightly attended (approximately 24 people) primarily due to the morning; however, there were mostly new faces, and that is the Precinct’s reason for the early time.

• Police Officer John Wright opened the meeting, welcomed all and explained the format.  He then turned it over to Vincent Maronski.  Vincent announced that he is no longer the 3rd Precinct Inspector.  He has been promoted to Deputy Chief located in Yaphank.
• New Leadership was mentioned again:
  • Commissioner Kevin Catalina
  • Deputy Police Commissioner Belinda Groneman
  • Chief Robert Waring
• He then introduced David Regina as the new Inspector of the 3rd Precinct.  The new Inspector then gave a brief Bio of his 31 years with the SCPD. Inspector Regina previously served as Inspector for the 4th precinct.
• Next, Mike Kelly, the new Deputy Inspector of the 3rd Precinct, was introduced. He also briefly introduced himself and his 24 years with the force.
• The Precinct Level Advisory Board (PLAB) is and will be a positive force in helping the precinct shape its future. It was mentioned that it is a two-year commitment, and new volunteers will be needed for this role.
• 3rd Precinct Crime Stats Presented
  • Overall, numbers for crime are down.
  • Specific local issues are being addressed via this meeting and COPE efforts.
• Upcoming Events:
  • 3/8 Bayshore / Brightwaters St. Patrick’s Parade 2pm
  • 3/22 Brentwood St. Patrick’s Parade 1pm
• Operation Medicine Cabinet – 24/7 at the Precinct for your personal unused/outdated prescription medications.
• Suffolk County Police Department WILL NOT ask for your immigration status during any call for service
• The Contact Numbers and Media Sites were provided as usual
  • A request was made to provide a printed card with the contact information for those who may need them
• Questions and answers followed, and several topics were brought up:
  • Breakout discussion for individuals with issues they wanted to discuss
• The entire audience thanked Deputy Chief Maronski for his service to the Community, and all welcomed Inspector Regina and Deputy Inspector Kelly.
• Meeting Adjourned at 11:40am

March 6, 2025:
Inspector Brendan Forte presented 1st Precinct incident statistics for February 2025

• 340 arrests;
• 0 commercial burglaries;
• 1 residential burglary;
• 4 robberies with three arrests;
• 422 vehicle crashes with 40 drivers leaving the scene and one death;
• 6 motor vehicle thefts, 5 left with the engine running; and
• 3 gun fire incidents into the air.

Inspector Forte also shared 2024 year-end key statistics:

• Over 82,000 calls for service;
• 1,700 felonies, 926 arrests;
• 5,200 misdemeanors, 2,800 arrests;
• 31,000 summons issued; and
• 3,102 domestic violence incidents investigated.

The Inspector said that the precinct has been investigating massage parlor prostitution, liquor store sales to minors, and one family home with the interior divided into several illegal rental units.  These programs are in partnership with the Town of Babylon for statute enforcement.

The next community meeting is scheduled for April 3, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the West Babylon Public Library. All residents are welcome.