Dear Alumni Members,

Inspector Brendan Forte presented the major March, 2025 statistics for the 1st Precinct which held its community meeting on April 3, 2025:

390 arrests;

6 commercial burglaries, 4 in Copiague;

0 residential burglaries;

3 robberies;

474 car crashes with 59 leaving the scene, 1 serious injury; 

8 motor vehicle thefts, 3 in Babylon; and

4 trigger pulls in the air in Wyandanch in evening hours.

The Inspector discussed 2024 1st Precinct drug overdoses.  There were 24 deaths and 123 non-fatal incidents with Lindenhurst the highest area location.

The residents were told that there has been stepped-up patrols at Sunrise Highway malls and train stations.  The Inspector said that Deer Park Avenue and Straight Path continue to be high crash areas.

Residents were told that community associations can request a police officer to discuss local problems at their meetings.  The Precinct will make every effort to send someone.

The next community meeting is scheduled for May 1, 2025 at the Lindenhurst Public Library at 12 noon.   All residents are welcome.

Reported by: Justin Cooper – 1st Precinct Coordinator

March 4th, 2025:

We welcome Patrick Mahan, the new 4th precinct Inspector who replaces Inspector David Regina, and wish him well in his new position. SCCPAA thanks Inspector Regina for his leadership and community involvement over the years and wishes him much success in his new assignment.

Inspector Mahan and Deputy Inspector Peter Ervolina ran tonight’s meeting.

SCCPAA President Kevin O’Hare and board members Jay Jost, Lauri Murphy, and Robert Murphy were in attendance.

The guest speaker was a representative from the Homeland Security Section. Training opportunities included Active Shooter survival, Safety in the sanctuary, vulnerability assessment, and bleeding control.

Key precinct and county crime statistics were presented and Inspector Mahan discussed crime trends and dived deeper into a selection of key events:

• On 2-23-2025, a suspect in a string of residential burglaries in the Ronkonkoma area was arrested. Thomas Mastromatteo was charged with burglary and had an outstanding parole warrant. 
• Officers responded to a “swatting” call at the Smith Haven Mall on 2-15-25. Units responded to a call of a person shot at the mall as well as multiple shots fired. Upon arrival, the call was unfounded. The caller was tracked to a location in Brentwood and was arrested by 3^rd precinct officers.
• 4^th Precinct units were on scene during a peaceful and orderly demonstration in front of Congressman Lalota’s office in Hauppauge on February 17th.
• Police were on the scene at the grand opening of Wegmans grocery store—units assisted with traffic control in the area.
• On 2-28-2025, 4th Precinct units responded to a motor vehicle crash on Indian Head Road in Kings Park. A bicyclist was riding northbound on the southbound shoulder when he was struck by a southbound vehicle. The investigation did not show any criminality. 4^th squad detectives are handling the investigation.
• 4^th Precinct units responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash on 3-1-2025 involving a motorcycle. The crash was on Portion Road west of Hawkins Ave in Ronkonkoma. The operator of the motorcycle was transported to Stony Brook Hospital and pronounced deceased. 4^th Squad detectives are handling the investigation, which showed no criminality.

The next community meeting will be held on April 1st at the Kings Park Library. The meeting begins at 7 PM.

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