Community Relations Unit The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Community Relations Unit is one of the most vital units throughout the office. Since taking office, Sheriff Toulon has not only expanded the Community Relations Unit but also doubled the amount of community engagement we are involved in. Throughout the year, CRU visits each Suffolk County School District as well as multiple clubs and various organizations. Since day one, Sheriff Toulon’s motto has been, “I want to get to the kids before they get to me” and the Community Relations Unit does just that. Its main goal is to bridge the gap between Law Enforcement and the members of the Community. CRU is responsible for implementing community outreach and school-based programs, organizing events, and promoting the Sheriff’s mission. We offer an array of Community and School-based programs free of charge for all Suffolk County schools, businesses, organizations, non-profits and agencies. You can contact the Community Relations Office at (631) 852-5611 or via email at Samantha.Graviano@suffolkcountyny.gov. Learn more about our programs below. Programs At a Glance YES Tours GREAT Program CRASE Training PET ID Cards At-risk Youth Jail Tour STOPPED Program Stop the Bleed Project Lifesaver Sandy Hook Promise McGruff the Crime Dog Car Seat Safety Checks Drug | Alcohol Test Kits College Internship Program Drug | Vaping Awareness Operation Safe Child Yellow Dot Program Explorers Program Vulnerability Assessments Senior ID Medical Cards Shed the Meds Programs Youth Enlightenment Seminar (YES) Tours : Every year, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office opens our doors for thousands of students to take an in-depth tour of both our Riverhead and Yaphank Correctional Facilities. The tours give a realistic, first-hand glimpse into the inner workings of our correctional facilities and what a daily life as a correction officer and justice-involved individuals looks like. YES Tours are a great fit for criminal justice classes or students interested in pursuing a career in the criminal justice field . LEARN MORE >> ​ At-risk Youth Jail Tour: A growing number of Suffolk County`s youth are in danger of falling prey to criminal and gang activity. Young teens especially face peer pressures that often ma ke them act in ways that help them become “accepted” by a group, but they have no idea about the consequences of their behavior. As a result, many young people at an early age begin what may become a painful life of criminal behavior. The goal of the At-Risk Youth Jail Tour is to educate youth about the potential consequences of poor choices. These tours must be scheduled in advance and the youth must be accompanied be a par ent. BOOK NOW >> ​ ​ Sandy Hook Promise : In December of 2017, then Sheriff-Elect Errol Toulon, Jr. attended a gala in New York City for the Sandy Hook Promise Organization. There he met with Mark Barden, one of the founders of Sandy Hook Promise and the father of Daniel, one of the young children killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School. Sheriff Toulon was so moved by this organization, that out of something tragic, built a school safety program that empowers students, teachers, and the community to become empowered bystanders. Upon taking office in January 2018, his first community initiative was to partner with Sandy Hook Promise to bring their programming to all Suffolk County schools. LEARN MORE >> BOOK NOW >> Say Something: The goal of the Say Something Program is to teach students how to look for warning signs, signals, and threats, especially in social media, of an individual who may be a threat to themselves or others and to say something to a trusted adult to get help. We want to teach students to understand and recognize warning signs and threats, how to act immediately, take it seriously, understand strategies to take action, and overcome potential barriers to being an “upstander” rather than a “bystander." Ultimately, the student is taught to seek out a trusted adult. Sandy Hook Promise Start With Hello: This program teaches students to be more socially inclusive and connected to each other. With activities and curricula available for all ages, students are empowered to end social isolation in three easy steps: See Someone Alone -- Step 1: Learn how to recognize the signs of loneliness and social isolation. Reach Out And Help -- Step 2: Find out what you can do to help others feel included. Start With Hello -- Step 3: Discover how to break the ice and strike up a conversation. ​ College Internship Program: ​The college internship program is recommended for students who have a strong interest in law enforcement and/or are currently enrolled in criminal justice courses. The program is designed to give an in-depth working view of the Sheriff's Office, offering a broad spectrum of work areas which contain different aspects of law, both criminal and civil. The program runs during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Spring and fall semesters run a 16-week pr ogram and the summer semester runs for 13-weeks. LEARN MORE >> ​ Explorers Program: Law Enforcement Exploring is a hands-on program offering young adults a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition, and other activities. Exploring is intended to educate and involve youth in law enforcement operations, to interest them in possible law enforcement careers, and to build an understanding of working in the field. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Program promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship, and patriotism. LEARN MORE >> ​ Gang Resistance & Education (GREAT) Program : The G.R.E.A.T. program is an evidence-based curriculum offered in many states throughout the nation. The classroom curriculum is taught by Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs and Correction Officers who received specialized training to present to elementary and middle school students. Prevention as its primary objective, the program aims to prevent bullying, youth crime, violence, drug use, and gang involvement while promoting a positive relationship among law enforcement, families, and our youth. G.R.E.A.T. Lessons focus on life skills designed to help students avoid using delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems, and further helps them make positive choices in life. BOOK NOW >> ​ STOPPED ("Drunk Buggies") Program: The STOPPED program is a driver safety course for high school students. During the program, an officer will come to yo ur school and set up a drivers course with our "Drunk Buggies" to teach students about the risks of driving impaired. BOOK NOW >> ​ McGruff the Crime Dog: The McGruff program offers children in first and second grade important personal safety lessons while getting them actively involved in the learning process. Children of all ages are faced with many types of social challenges, and unfortunately, bullying has become a serious issue for many kids. The McGruff Program seeks to give children the social tools they need to recognize bullying behavior, prevent it from occurring and handle it effectively when confronted with a tough situation whether on the playground, the bus, the lunchroom or playing in the neighborhood. BOOK NOW >> ​ Drug and Vaping Awareness Programs: Since taking office in January 2018, Sheriff Toulon has made it a priority to visit with students and school officials to determine how the Sheriff’s Office could assist with programming and training to improve outcomes for youth in Suffolk County. The opioid epidemic, combined with an increase in marijuana use and vaping, were common concerns raised during his meetings. Drug use can often be an underlying cause of aggressive behavior in students and can result in other kinds of conduct -- and over time, poor grades and symptoms of depression or euphoria. School personnel may not equate certain behaviors with drug use or may not know the signs to look for when evaluating behavioral issues. The Sheriff’s Office has officers that provide training to students and school staff. These new programs teach basic education on vaping, drugs, opioid, and alcohol use, as well as diagnostic steps for assessing impairment and strategies to respond to drug and alcohol-induced situations. BOOK NOW >> ​ School & Building Vulnerability Assessments: In 2018, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. established a Security Assessment Initiative for Suffolk County schools and public buildings. This program allows schools and other organizations to have an assessment performed by a certified Crime Prevention Specialist at no cost. The Security Assessment helps to improve the security level of their premises to help prevent property damage or intrusion. These assessments offer site-specific safety tips on how to reduce t he incidences of crime. Using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles, specially trained Deputy Sheriffs check the property, identify vulnerable areas, and provide recommendations on how to enhance the security of the property. BOOK NOW >> ​ CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event) Presentation : C.R.A.S.E. is designed to provide a model response program to civilians within their community. The presentation provides strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. This presentation is designed for any public or private building personnel, to educate them on how to respond in the event of an active shooter situation. This 2-hour program provides practical lessons on how to save lives. This program is available for all congregations, schools, offices, and businesses in the 5 East End towns of Suffolk County. BOOK NOW >> ​ Stop the Bleed: Studies have shown that the help given by an immediate responder can often make the difference between life and death, even before professional rescuers arrive. Stop the Bleed training is a presentation and hands-on practice of direct pressure application, wound packing, and use of a tourniquet. The course was developed for a nonmedical audience to address the needs of the immediate responder to control life-threatening bleeding until help arrives. The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Stop the Bleed training is available for all schools, community organizations, businesses, and religious organizations in Suffolk County. BOOK NOW >> ​ Child Car Seat Safety Checks: Nationwide, the statistics on child safety seats are startling. Up to 72 percent of the child safety seats in cars on the road have serious defects or are improperly installed. Protecting your precious cargo is your priority and we're here to help. Specially trained officers from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office are available to attend community forums and event to perform child car seat safety checks. Car seat checks take approximately 20 minutes per vehicle and should be booked in advance prior to your event. BOOK NOW >> ​ Operation Safe Child ID Cards: Operation Safe Child was created in July of 2005 to raise awareness about child safety. Statistics show that 34% of parents in the United States do not know their child’s exact height, weight, and eye color. When a child is reported missing, time can be the biggest factor in finding the child. Possessing up-to-date photographs with detailed information about the child can greatly assist law enforcement when responding to a disappearance. These cards contain the child’s full name, date of birth, gender, height, weight, hair color, eye color, and more. The card is made in less than ten minutes and can be carried in the parent’s wallet or pocketbook. Operation Safe Child ID Cards are offered by the Sheriff’s Office free of charge at community events, libraries, and firehouses across Suffolk County. BOOK NOW >> ​ Senior Medical ID Card: The Sheriff’s Office Medical ID Cards assist seniors or those with medical needs to keep all required medical information available on a small card with them at all times in case of emergency. The Sheriff's Office regularly visits senior centers, VFW halls and other community groups to provide emergency medical alert ID cards. There is no cost for the card. BOOK NOW >> ​ Pet ID Cards: Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. is proud to announce Suffolk County’s first ever Lost Pet Network which will provide participating owners with a printed pet identification card while adding the pets to a database to help quickly locate missing animals. When a pet is lost, Suffolk County residents utilize many websites, social media pages and traditional methods but lack one central method for spreading the news and involving the proper stakeholders. Owners can enroll in this program to get a free identification card and become a part of the Lost Pet Network which will utilize Deputy Sheriffs, local municipalities and a designated website in the case of a dog, cat, or other eligible animal going missing. LEARN MORE >> ​ Project Lifesaver: Project Lifesaver is a rapid-response program that aids victims (and their families) who wander as a result of cognitive impairments, or other afflictions. The program combines technology and specially trained Sheriff’s Deputies to locate individuals who have wandered. Project Lifesaver clients wear a “watch-type” wristband transmitter (worn on the wrist, ankle or as a necklace), which emits a tracking signal. When a caregiver calls the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver line to report that a client has wandered, a search team responds to the wanderer’s area and, while in route, activates the vehicles mobile locator tracking system. A hand-held unit is used to search for clients in areas inaccessible by vehicles.​ LEARN MORE >> ​ Test, Don't Guess Drug & Alcohol Test Kits: Home Drug Alcohol & Test kits have been purchased by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and are made available to residents in Suffolk County. The program aims to offer free drug test kits that can be used in privacy to assist parents and guardians with monitoring the behavior of their children who are under the age of 18. The test kits give parents a tool to engage in the critical conversations about drug use; and offers a method for parents who suspect their child may be using illegal substances to be reassured of their judgment and seek professional help if needed. ​ Individual drug and alcohol test kits are available at your local legislator's office or at our Riverhead Correctional Facility located at: Riverhead Correctional Facility, 100 Center Drive South, Riverhead, NY 1190. ​ Yellow Dot Program: Our Yellow Dot program assists citizens during the most critical times of emergency care - following a traffic crash - when they may not be able to communicate their needs themselves. Placing a Yellow Dot decal in your vehicle's rear window alerts first responders to check your glove compartment for vital information to ensure you receive the medical attention you need. ​BOOK NOW >> ​ Shed the Meds : L ooking to get rid of unwanted or expired medications in a way that is safe and protects our environment? Drop them off for safe disposal by the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. Safely disposing of medication prevents pollution of our ground water and keeps them out of the hands of young children and others who might abuse them. Shed the Meds events are for community members only. No commercial or doctor's office expired medication disposal. Liquid medications and sharps will not be accepted at the events. BOOK NOW >> YES Tours At-risk Youth Jail Tour Sandy Hook Promise College Internship Program Explorers Program GREAT Program STOPPED Program McGruff DRE | Vaping Vulnerability Assessments CRASE Stop the Bleed Car Seat Safety Check Operation Safe Child Senior ID PET ID Project Lifesaver Drug Test Kits Yellow Dot Shed the Meds

Qualifications Correction Officers Age At least 20.5 years of age at the time of testing and 21 years of age by the time of appointment. Education Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma by the date of appointment is required. Citizenship All candidates must be a United States citizen at the time of appointment. ​ You do not have to be a resident of Suffolk County to apply for or work for the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. Background Correction Officers are entrusted with the responsibility of keeping our correctional facilities and incarcerated individuals safe. Therefore, there will be a qualifying medical, psychological, background and physical agility evaluation. Correction Officers are under the supervision of a higher-ranking officer. An officer in this class has the immediate responsibility for directing and supervising justice-involved individuals and maintaining order and security inside the Suffolk County Correctional Facilities. The officer is responsible for maintaining the custody, safety, and well-being of justice-involved individuals by enforcing the rules, regulations and laws to prevent disturbances, assaults, and escapes. Correction Officers are designated by New York State law as peace officers and may be required to carry firearms in the performance of certain duties. ​ Correction Officers must have a good knowledge of the policies, rules and regulations of the Suffolk County Correctional Facilities and applicable New York State laws, rules and regulations. They must have a good knowledge of first aid techniques, skill in the use and care of firearms and other less lethal weapons as required, the ability to deal fairly but firmly with individuals under their care, the ability to communicate effectively and be in the physical condition to deal with the demands of the position. Deputy Sheriffs Age At least 19.5 years of age at the time of testing and 20 years of age by the time of appointment. Education Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma by the date of appointment is required. Citizenship All candidates must be a United States citizen at the time of appointment. ​ Background Deputy Sheriffs are responsible for enforcing NYS laws including penal, civil and vehicle & traffic law, therefore, there will be a qualifying medical, psychological, background and physical agility evaluation. Deputy Sheriffs are under the general supervision of a commanding officer and have the responsibility of enforcing the laws of New York State, including Civil, Penal, and Vehicle & Traffic laws. Deputy Sheriffs make arrests, transport justice-involved individuals, serve legal processes, patrol highways, and secure court detention facilities. Routine assignments and special orders or the joining of task forces may be received from supervisors under the command of the Sheriff. ​ Deputy Sheriffs must have a good knowledge of civil and criminal law as they pertain to departmental operations; a good knowledge of court procedures; good knowledge of first aid methods; skill in the use and care of firearms; the ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; the ability to act quickly and calmly in emergencies; the ability to enforce the law with firmness, tact and impartiality, and to deal courteously with the general public, as well as be in good physical condition to handle the demands of the position.

Child Car Seat Safety Checks Nationwide, the statistics on child safety seats are startling. Up to 72 percent of the child safety seats in cars on the road have serious defects or are improperly installed. Protecting your precious cargo is your priority and we're here to help! Specially trained officers from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office are available to attend community forums and event to perform child car seat safety checks. Car seat checks take approximately 20 minutes per vehicle and should be booked in advance prior to your event. Please use the Community Program Request Form to request this program. ​ ​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23,2024 SUFFOLK SHERIFF, WINTERS CENTER FOR AUTISM TO ANNOUNCE NEW TOOL TO AID OFFICERS IN COMMUNICATING WITH AUTISTIC RESIDENTS ***** VISUAL CARDS WILL ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT, RESIDENTS TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE DURING EMERGENCIES ***** WEST BABYLON, NY: On April 23 at 11am, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr., joined with the Winters Center for Autism for Autism Acceptance Month to announce an initiative to provide Deputy Sheriffs and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, with a tool to help foster effective communication in emergency situations. To ensure Suffolk Deputies can safely communicate with all residents, the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office worked with Winters Center for Autism to create cards with visual aids and tips to help foster communication during an interaction that involves law enforcement or emergency personnel. “As Suffolk County Sheriff, I am committed to making our community an even more inclusive place for all residents. These cards can be a lifeline in any type of an emergency situation. Thank you to the Winter Center for Autism for being a partner with law enforcement and for the work they do to improve the lives of so many residents,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. It is estimated that nearly 350,000 of adults in New York have Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to the Suffolk Sheriff’s Deputies being equipped with the cards, the cards are also being distributed to the Winters Center for Autism for the young adult participants– many of which take public or County transportation to the center. The Sheriff’s Office will also give out the cards at public events or by request. The Winters Center for Autism was established in 2020 to enhance the lives of adults with autism through job creation, training, and placement to address the excessive unemployment rate among people with autism. The Winters Center for Autism addresses these gaps by identifying skills and talents of participants and matching them with businesses and organizations open to creating jobs for capable and trained employees. ###

SUFFOLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MAKES FIVE DWI ARRESTS ***** ARRESTS INCLUDE AGGRAVATED DWI, SPEEDING OVER 100MPH ***** ADDITIONAL ARREST MADE FOR STREET RACING ***** (SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY) Over the past weekend, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested five impaired drivers for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). One of these drivers was charged with Aggravated DWI as one driver fled the scene speeding, and multiple drivers had high blood alcohol count (BAC.) These arrests were among six drivers arrested over the last week, including an additional arrest for street racing. As part of ongoing DWI enforcement by the Sheriff’s Office, deputies are always out patrolling for those who are making poor choices when it comes to driving home. Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. has increased DWI enforcement and has taken to social media to remind residents, young and old, to drink responsibly and have a designated driver or call for a ride if they have been drinking. Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. thanks his Deputies for their hard work. “I commend my staff for their hard work in safely removing these impaired and dangerous drivers from our streets so residents who drive responsibly can arrive home safe.” AGGRAVATED DWI On April 20, Maria Vendetti, 58, left her car in the roadway. When Deputies went to check on the vehicle, stopped in the roadway the driver, Vendetti, was found to be intoxicated. She was arrested for DWI, consented to a breath test, and registered a BAC of .21. Due to the high BAC, she was charged with aggravated DWI. She was also charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, due to her suspended license, and multiple traffic infractions. STREET RACING ARREST On April 22nd, Suffolk Sheriff’s Deputies observed two vehicles, an Infiniti G35 and a black Mercedes sedan engaging in a street race on the LIE North Service road east of Holbrook Road. The Deputy managed to stop the Infiniti, although the Mercedes fled the scene. The driver of the Infiniti, Elahi Faizan, 21, of Bronx was issued an Appearance Ticket for Unlawful Speed Contest, as well as summonses for Driving Too Slow/Impeding Traffic and Speeding. The driver's vehicle was also subject to impound for engaging in a speed contest. ADDITIONAL DWI ARRESTS INCLUDE: Ricardo Viera, 40, of Islip Terrace, on 04/20/24, was stopped while traveling on Sunrise Highway by exit 52 in North Patchogue, for failure to maintain lane and speeding. He demonstrated clues while performing standardized field sobriety tests indicating he was intoxicated. Viera was arrested and submitted to a chemical breath test resulting in a .12 BAC. Kera Stellato, 41, of Lindenhurst, on 04/20/24, was stopped while traveling on Sunrise Highway by exit 48, in Bohemia, for failing to maintain a single lane of travel by swerving over the lines separating lanes of travel in the roadway. She was found to be intoxicated. Stellato was arrested for DWI, consented to a breath test, and registered a BAC of .10. Satya Bhanu Rohith Kesani, 32, of Holtsville, on 04/22/24, was stopped while traveling on the Long Island Expressway, South Service Road, by Nicholls Road, for Speeding, at approximately 100 miles per hour, and  for failing to maintain a single lane of travel by swerving over the lines separating lanes of travel in the roadway, and failure to use signal light when switching lanes. He was found to be intoxicated. Satya was arrested for DWI, consented to a breath test, and registered a BAC of .10. Kursat Erdemirt, 40, of Lake Grove, on 04/21/24, was stopped while traveling on Patchogue- Holbrook Rd. by Union Ave for speeding and driving with expired registration. was found to be intoxicated. Kursat was arrested for DWI, consented to a breath test, and registered a BAC of .11. All information contained in this release has been provided for general informational purposes only. To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2024 Suffolk County Sheriff to Increase Distracted Driving Patrols During Distracted Driving Awareness Month Sheriff’s Office Joins NHTSA Campaign to Remind Drivers: Put the Phone Away or Pay (Suffolk County, NY) — During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the national “Put the Phone Away or Pay” high-visibility enforcement effort. From April 4-8, 2024, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office will be joining law enforcement agencies across New York State to conduct enhanced enforcement of texting and distracted-driving laws. According to NHTSA, nearly 32,483 people died in distraction-affected crashes over the ten-year period from 2011 to 2020. In 2022, there were 330,842 deaths linked to driver distraction and an additional 289,310 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted driving. “Distracted driving is a leading cause of vehicle crashes on our county’s roads, and most of this distraction is attributed to texting while driving,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. “Beginning this week, our Deputy Sheriffs will be further increasing efforts to stop drivers from distracted driving. If you text and drive in Suffolk County, we will pull you over and you will be fined.” Violating New York’s distracted-driving laws can be costly. A first-time violation of this law is a traffic infraction with a fine between 50 and 200 dollars as well as 5 points on your license. Upon conviction of a second violation, both within 18 months, the fine is between 50 and 250 dollars as well as 5 points. Upon conviction of a third violation, all within an 18-month period, the fine is between 50 and 450 dollars as well as 5 points. Many drivers are guilty of a “double standard” when it comes to distracted driving. In its 2022 Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation reported that while nearly 93% of drivers believed it was very or extremely dangerous to read a text or email while driving, nearly 40% drivers admitted to doing so within the previous 30 days. Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. and NHTSA urge drivers to put their phones away when behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and do not drive while doing so. If you are the driver, follow these steps for a safe driving experience: If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text. Ask your passenger to be your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages. Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving. Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination. Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving. ###