3rd Police Precinct Meeting opened at 07:07 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at the Brentwood Public Library, 34 2nd Avenue, Brentwood
Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 7pm at the Brentwood Public Library, 34 2nd Avenue, Brentwood
Meeting attendance was approximately 45 Civilians and 8 Police Officers.
COPE Officer John Wright opened the meeting and welcomed all.
– He stressed that items should be brought to their attention before the next meeting by calling the COPE Office at 631-854-8308 or 631-854-7333. This allows the staff time to research the issue and have more definitive answers to present. John introduced the Officers in attendance. He requested that questions be held until the end so that the meeting could proceed. Then he turned the meeting over to Captain Knoblach.
Captain James Knoblach, the Executive Officer, reported the following:
– Eric D’Agostino, the Deputy Inspector, and Mike Kelly, Inspector, were not present at the meeting.
– The opening slide referenced Police Chaplain Reverend Alexie Acevedo – Pentecostal who attends most all meetings and doesn’t always get acknowledged for what he does.
– The next slide announced that that Precinct welcomed 28 new Police Officers last month.. They are currently completing their field training requirements.
– The highlights of the latest crime statistic were reviewed. Year to date, there were 0 murders, and6 in 2025. Burglaries are up in 2026 because Commercial Burglaries were up 125%. Commercial Burglaries are up because of a change in the law which allows in some cases repeat shoplifters to be charged with burglar in lieu of shoplifting. Rapes are down 75%.
– Aggravated Assault was up in April in comparison to April of last year.
– Arrests for April totaled 359 persons arrested on 285 charges., mostly misdemeanors, but a large number of felonies and drug related charges.
– Traffic Enforcement was up in the 3rd Precinct in April as Precinct Officers issued 2891 tickets (mostly in hot spot locations). The HWY SITE issued 146 tickets in the 3rd Precinct (124 were moving violations) in six targeted locations as they have a high incidence of violators reported.
– Motor Vehicle Accidents are down for January 2026, 426 accidents in January 2026 versus 439 in 2025, with 12 DWI arrests during month 2026.
– A large car meet (street takeover) was broken up in Central Islip which resulted in 54 tickets, 1 arrest and 3 impounds.
– 2 Commercial Burglaries, Isabella’s Pizza in East Islip (04/30/2026) and Tri State Tires (05/01/2026) in Central Islip.
– 3 Commercial Burglaries (4/13/2026) South Shore Deli, Tech Bench and El Cafe were burglarized in East Islip.
– Additional burglaries were committed in Bay Shore, Islip and Central Islip on 3/30/26 and 4/24/26.
– There were 21 Aggravated Assaults in April, 4 involved menacing with a knife, 15 of these have been cleared by arrest.
– Reckless Endangerment – Police responded to a shot-spotter activation in the area of Coventry Lane in Central Islip. This is an ongoing investigation.
– 2 Robberies and an attempted robbery were reported. A ride share driver was robbed of $2326 on 4/3/2026 in Bayshore, a person was robbed and stabbed on 4/7/2026 in Central Islip, and a 2/10/2026 attempted robberyin Bayshoreresulted in an arrest on 4/19/2026.
– Grand Larceny 3rd – Andre, Minderson was arrested on 4/15/2026 for theft of video games valued at $8181.68 over a 2 month period from the Islip Public Library.
– CPW 2nd and CPW 3rd. Anti-Crime Officers observed a vehicle make a turn without signaling in Central Islip. Investigation revealed crack cocaine and 2 loaded firearms. All 3 occupants were arrested and transported along with the vehicle to the 3rd Precinct.
– CPW 2nd and CPW 3rd.Anti-Crime Officers observed a vehicle with an operatorusing a cell phone on Suffolk Ave. in Brentwood make an unsafe left turn. Investigation revealed a knife, shell casing and loaded pistol in the vehicle. The arrestee is a juvenile.
– Narcotics Investigation ongoing – 1st and Brentwood Rd., 2 subjects arrested for multiple sales with more arrests coming.
– Working with SLA to permanently make La Costa CH restaurant a disorderly premise and revoke its liquor license.
– Catalytic Converter thefts – 219 so far in Suffolk, 77 in the 3rd precinct from 10/11/2025 to 3/7/2026. A multiple agency investigation has resulted in 4 suspects under investigation with 2 arrested and charged so far, still ongoing.
– Hostage Negotiation Team was activated on 4/16/2026 to an address in West Islip. A male threatening to harm himself, possibly in possession of a firearm. The situation was resolved and the subject was transported for a mental health evaluation. Several firearms were recovered.
– E-Bikes Mopeds, and Scooters – the latest laws and regulations were shown and discussed. This has been an escalating problem as summer nears. Police are asking that parents handle this problem responsibly.
– Due to the Iran conflict there is a heightened possibility of sleeper cells being activated and/or people being radicalized. There are now detectives assigned to the JTTF, increased patrols at religious institutions, more Officers deployed with long guns at parades and gatherings. Anonymous reporting to crime stoppers is stressed during this time. 800- 220-TIPS (8477).
– Upcoming Community Events including several runs , a carnival, a street fair and the Memorial Day parades in the precinct.
– A shout out was given to the Auxiliary Police for their efforts in support of the 3rd Precinct in many non-enforcement areas, and asking anyone with the time to consider volunteering with them.
– The Precinct Level Advisory Board (PLAB) was mentioned, with several members present, as they help shape the future for the Precinct.
– SCPD will not ask your immigration status during any call for service, including, but not limited to: Victims of a crime, Car accidents, Domestic incidents, Aided cases, Landlord/tenant disputes.
– The various phone numbers and social media sites were listed to contact the 3rd Police Precinct for non-emergency issues (COPE & Community Liaison Officer 631-854-8308 or 631-854-7333; email at scpd.3rdprecinct@suffolkcountyny.gov; Suffolk County Crime Stoppers 1-800-220-TIPS; Suffolk Non-Emergency 631-852-COPS). Follow on Instagram, scpd3rdprecinct It was stressed that if you need immediate assistance, that you must DIAL 911.
The meeting ended at 07:41 PM for side bars and other small discussions with COPE and other Police Officers.
