Four human cases have also been reported this season. #SuffolkNewsNow #WestNile #SuffolkCounty #AuxioTV
Tag: public safety
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Romaine Declares State of Emergency as Nor’easter Approaches Suffolk County
HAUPPAUGE, NY — Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced Friday afternoon that he has signed a state of emergency as Suffolk County prepares for an incoming nor’easter expected to affect Long Island through the weekend.
Romaine announced the action alongside Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, saying the declaration was issued in preparation for the storm’s expected regional impact.
The move follows precautionary steps already taken by Suffolk County ahead of deteriorating weather conditions. On September 24, Romaine announced restrictions across the county parks system, including the suspension of beachfront camping and outer-beach driving, with conditions scheduled to be reevaluated as the storm progresses.
County officials said campers should prepare for heavy rainfall and strong, sustained winds. Hard-sided campers and RVs may remain at certain locations on a site-by-site basis, while tent camping and campfires were also scheduled for suspension during the storm period.
The state-of-emergency declaration gives county government additional flexibility to coordinate departments, emergency-management operations and public-safety resources as conditions develop.
Suffolk’s geography makes coastal storms particularly significant. With communities stretching across both the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound, strong winds and elevated water levels can affect beaches, low-lying roads, waterfront neighborhoods and marine operations across the county.
Romaine’s announcement came from Suffolk County’s emergency operations setting with representatives from public safety and emergency-response agencies present.
Residents are being urged to monitor official county alerts and adjust weekend plans as necessary. Suffolk County maintains its SuffolkAlert system for emergency notifications, while county officials continue to post storm-related updates through official government channels.
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Topper’s Record Shows What a K-9 Unit Adds to Public Safety on the East End
By Raheem Soto, Publisher
The recent work of Southampton Village Police K-9 Topper should cause residents to pay close attention to what happens next with the Village’s K-9 program.
On September 15, Southampton Village Police said their license plate reader system alerted officers to a vehicle being operated by a man wanted by the NYPD in connection with a shooting. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and took the man into custody.
Police said a search of the vehicle recovered a loaded Mac-11 9mm pistol. Then Topper went to work.
According to the department, Topper alerted officers to the vehicle’s center console, where police subsequently located a quantity of crack cocaine.
That single incident illustrates something that can sometimes get lost when municipal budgets and equipment decisions are discussed in the abstract: a trained police dog is a working public-safety asset with capabilities that are difficult to duplicate.
Southampton Village Police itself describes its K-9 unit as capable of assisting with burglaries in progress, tracking missing people, detecting drugs and evidence, apprehension, officer protection, deterrence and maintaining order.
And Topper’s record goes well beyond this month’s arrest.
Village records show that in 2019, officials credited Topper with assisting Southampton Town Police in detaining and capturing a suspect.
In 2023, Topper and his handler, Officer James Moore, were recognized by the Village after another incident in which the K-9 team helped locate and safely resolve a situation involving a person in crisis. Trustee Robin Brown publicly described the incident as an example of how a trained Southampton Village Police resource could help bring a potentially dangerous situation to a positive conclusion.
Topper and Moore were recognized again in 2024 as Village employees of the month.
This is why the future of Southampton Village’s K-9 program deserves a transparent public discussion as Topper approaches the later stages of his service career.
There have been community conversations about Topper eventually retiring and questions about what comes after him. I have not found an official Village resolution establishing that the K-9 program will end, nor documentation confirming claims that Village leadership has rejected obtaining another police dog.
More recent information actually indicates continued investment in the capability.
The newly formed Southampton Public Safety Foundation announced in September that it plans to provide specialized equipment for a new K-9 vehicle for the Southampton Village Police Department. The Foundation also said a donor-designated contribution will support the department’s K-9 program.
That is encouraging, but it also makes clarity important.
Residents should know what the long-term plan is. Will Topper retire with another trained team prepared to take over? Will there be a gap in service? What will training, acquisition and ongoing operating costs look like? And how much of that support will come from the Village versus private donations?
Those are reasonable public-safety questions.
The East End presents unusual policing challenges. Our communities include beaches, wooded areas, waterfronts, seasonal population surges, major events and long stretches of territory where officers may need specialized resources quickly. A properly trained K-9 team can assist with far more than narcotics enforcement.
Southampton Village’s own experience demonstrates that.
The discussion about what follows Topper should therefore begin with his actual record — not assumptions about what a police K-9 does.
From suspect apprehension to missing-person searches, crisis response and narcotics detection, Topper has provided Southampton Village Police with a capability that officers have repeatedly used in real-world situations.
Whatever decision ultimately comes next, residents deserve to understand the plan and the public-safety capabilities involved.
Topper has earned at least that much.
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Patchogue Fire District Receives $500,000 State Grant for New Fire Boat
Photo Credit: Sen. Dean Murray’s Office PATCHOGUE, NY — The Patchogue Fire District has received a $500,000 State and Municipal Facilities grant to help fund a new fire boat, giving local firefighters additional resources to respond to emergencies on the Great South Bay and nearby waterways.
The grant was delivered by New York State Senator Dean Murray, whose office announced the funding this week. State records show the Patchogue Fire District was originally nominated for a $500,000 fire boat grant in 2020 under the State and Municipal Facilities program.
Murray said the funding had been delayed for years and described securing the money as a public-safety priority after taking office in January 2023.
“This is a day worth celebrating. Every day for the last 4 years, I’ve fought to help secure this funding and ensure these dollars were finally delivered to the Patchogue Fire District,” Murray said in the release.
He added that having appropriate marine-response equipment is especially important in a coastal community where firefighters may be called to fires, rescues and other emergencies on the water.
According to Murray’s office, the new boat will strengthen the district’s ability to respond on the Great South Bay and surrounding waterways, adding another layer of protection for residents, boaters and visitors.
The Patchogue Fire District’s current budget also includes a dedicated line for fire boat-related expenses, underscoring the role marine response plays in the district’s operations.
Murray credited the Patchogue Fire District’s leadership and volunteers for continuing to pursue the funding and also thanked Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt for assisting with the effort.
“Our firefighters put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our community safe,” Murray said. “This investment provides them with another critical tool to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
The funding does not cover every detail of the boat project on its own, but it provides a substantial state contribution toward the purchase.
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CNA Arrested After Alleged Forcible Touching of Disabled Patient at Middle Island Rehab Facility
MIDDLE ISLAND, NY — A certified nursing assistant was arrested Friday after allegedly forcibly touching a disabled patient at a Middle Island rehabilitation facility, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Police identified the defendant as Kevin Lopez-Diaz, 23, of Farmingville. He was arrested at Surge Rehabilitation and Nursing, 49 Oakcrest Ave., at approximately 3:20 p.m. on September 19 following an investigation by Sixth Squad detectives.
According to police, the alleged incidents occurred on September 3 and September 4 and involved a 32-year-old disabled woman receiving care at the facility. Police said the patient later told another certified nursing assistant about the incidents, and that employee called 911.
The patient was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital on September 5 for an evaluation.
Lopez-Diaz was charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree and two counts of Forcible Touching, police said. He was held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and was scheduled to be arraigned September 20 at First District Court in Central Islip.
Suffolk County Police are also asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Lopez-Diaz to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.
The charges are accusations. Lopez-Diaz is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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CMPD OFFICER FATALLY SHOOTS MAN DURING NORTH CHARLOTTE FOOT PURSUIT
CMPD Officer Fatally Shoots Man During North Charlotte Foot Pursuit; SBI Investigating
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating after a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer fatally shot a man during a foot pursuit Friday afternoon in north Charlotte.
The shooting occurred Sept. 18 near LaSalle Street and Newland Road.
According to CMPD’s preliminary account, Metro Division officers responded at approximately 2:26 p.m. to a 911 call reporting a disturbance in the 1300 block of LaSalle Street.
Police said that while responding, officers observed a separate group of people nearby who appeared to be involved in what CMPD described as a “criminal transaction.” CMPD has not publicly detailed what officers allegedly observed.
Police said one person began walking away after noticing officers and then ran. Officers pursued him on foot and issued multiple commands for him to stop.
CMPD says that during the pursuit, the man produced a firearm. Police said an officer perceived an “imminent deadly threat” and fired, striking him.
Officers provided medical aid until MEDIC arrived. The man was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. CMPD said a firearm was recovered at the scene and no officers were injured.
The circumstances immediately preceding the shooting remain disputed.
Family members and at least one reported witness have challenged CMPD’s preliminary version of events, saying the man did not threaten officers and alleging that he was shot while fleeing. Those claims have not been independently established, and authorities have not publicly released body-camera footage showing the encounter.
Family members have identified the man as Curtis Massey. As of the latest information reviewed by AUXIO, CMPD had not publicly confirmed that identification.
The SBI is leading the investigation into the shooting. CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting a separate investigation, and the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave under standard department protocol.
The SBI investigation will be critical in establishing what happened during the final moments of the pursuit, including the man’s actions with the firearm and the circumstances under which the officer opened fire.
Anyone with information about the incident can contact the SBI at 919-662-4500.
AUXIO will update this story as additional official records, investigative findings or video evidence become available.
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Three Injured, One Seriously, in Smithtown Crash
SMITHTOWN, NY — Three people were injured, one seriously, in a two-vehicle crash in Smithtown early Thursday morning, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Fourth Squad detectives said the collision occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. on September 17 at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Highway and County Center Road.
Police said Robert Schugman, 61, of Smithtown, was driving a 2010 Honda Odyssey westbound on Veterans Memorial Highway when his vehicle collided with a 2013 Dodge Caravan driven by Laurence Ackerman, 68, of Farmingdale.
Jerome Foster, 65, of Amityville, who was a passenger in Ackerman’s vehicle, suffered serious injuries and was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital.
Ackerman was also taken to Stony Brook University Hospital with injuries police described as non-life-threatening. Schugman was transported to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police did not announce any arrests or charges in connection with the collision, and the department’s release did not identify a cause.
Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks as Fourth Squad detectives continue investigating the crash.
Detectives are asking anyone with information about the collision to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.
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DeStefano Pushes for More State Funding to Repair Local Roads and Infrastructure
SUFFOLK COUNTY — New York State Assemblyman Joe DeStefano is backing increased state investment in local roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure, arguing that communities across Long Island need more help keeping aging infrastructure safe and reliable.
DeStefano joined lawmakers from both the Assembly and Senate in supporting additional funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program, known as CHIPS, which provides state money directly to municipalities for road and highway projects.
For Suffolk County communities, CHIPS funding can help local governments repair deteriorating roads, address potholes, improve bridges and complete transportation projects without placing the entire financial burden on local taxpayers.
DeStefano has framed the issue as more than routine road maintenance.
“The CHIPS program is vital to maintaining our roads, bridges and transportation networks,” DeStefano said in announcing his support for increased funding. He also tied infrastructure investment to stronger communities, job creation and public safety.
Local Roads, Local Impact
Infrastructure funding can have an immediate effect on residents because many of the roads people use every day are maintained by towns, villages and other local governments rather than directly by the state.
Those municipalities face rising construction, labor and material costs while still being expected to maintain miles of roadway.
Additional CHIPS funding allows more of those costs to be supported through the state budget.
For DeStefano, who represents New York’s 3rd Assembly District in Suffolk County, that makes infrastructure funding an affordability issue as well as a transportation issue.
More state support can reduce pressure on local governments to fund major road projects entirely through local revenue.
Public Safety Connection
Road conditions also have a direct connection to public safety.
Deteriorated pavement, damaged shoulders and aging infrastructure can create hazards for motorists, pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school transportation.
DeStefano has argued that investment in roads and bridges should therefore be viewed as part of the state’s broader responsibility to keep communities safe.
His support for CHIPS also fits into a broader legislative agenda focused on public safety, affordability and local government needs. His official Assembly page shows that those themes have remained central to his work throughout the 2025–26 legislative session.
Bringing State Dollars Back to Local Communities
The importance of programs such as CHIPS is ultimately straightforward: state tax dollars return to local communities for projects residents can see and use every day.
For Suffolk residents, that means repaired roads, stronger bridges and infrastructure improvements that can otherwise be difficult for municipalities to finance on their own.
DeStefano’s position is that Albany should continue increasing those investments rather than forcing local governments to absorb more of the cost.
For a district where residents depend heavily on automobiles and local road networks, that is a tangible issue with an immediate impact on quality of life.
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Romaine Puts Public Safety, Taxes and Suffolk’s Future at Center of State of the County
SUFFOLK COUNTY — Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine used his 2026 State of the County address to lay out an agenda centered on public safety, fiscal restraint, infrastructure, environmental protection and what he described as the long-term quality of life of Suffolk County residents.
Suffolk News Now attended the address and heard Romaine outline a series of priorities that touched nearly every major area of county government.
Among the biggest announcements was Romaine’s call for a new Suffolk County Police Department headquarters in Yaphank, near the department’s existing facility. He argued that the current building was never designed to serve as a modern police headquarters and said the county needs a facility capable of supporting present-day law-enforcement operations.
The proposal is part of a broader public-safety agenda Romaine highlighted throughout the speech.
He spoke in support of strengthening law enforcement, increasing staffing where needed and continuing to invest in technology, equipment and county resources tied to policing, corrections and probation.
Romaine also pushed back against calls to reduce the role of police and correctional institutions, framing his administration’s approach as one focused on maintaining public safety while improving the systems that support it.
No Increase in County General Taxes
Affordability was another major theme.
Romaine said Suffolk County residents should not expect an increase in county general taxes next year, positioning fiscal restraint as a central part of his administration’s approach.
That pledge comes as Long Island residents continue to face high housing, utility and property-tax costs.
The county portion of a homeowner’s total property-tax bill is only one component, but Romaine emphasized that Suffolk County government should avoid adding to those pressures wherever possible.
New Investments in Public Safety and County Services
Romaine also highlighted plans involving the county’s medical examiner’s office, crime laboratory and environmental laboratory.
He said Suffolk needs modern facilities capable of handling the county’s growing forensic, public-health and environmental testing responsibilities.
Those investments are expected to support both criminal investigations and efforts to identify environmental threats, including contaminants that could affect drinking water.
The speech also touched on child welfare.
Romaine said New York State has approved Suffolk County to create a child welfare review board, and he described protecting children as one of government’s most important responsibilities.
Water Quality and Sewer Expansion
Environmental issues remained a significant part of the address.
Romaine spoke about Suffolk’s continued reliance on cesspools and septic systems and the need to expand sewer infrastructure in areas where wastewater has contributed to water-quality problems.
He pointed to ongoing and planned sewer projects in communities including Holbrook, Oakdale and Smithtown.
For a county surrounded by water and heavily dependent on its underground aquifer, Romaine presented wastewater infrastructure as both an environmental and economic issue.
He also discussed preserving farmland, protecting working waterfronts and continuing county investment in open space.
Parks, Transportation and Infrastructure
Romaine said Suffolk should continue improving its extensive county park system, including upgrades to electrical service, Wi-Fi and camping facilities.
Transportation was another focus.
He called for improvements to public transit and greater use of rail freight as a way to reduce the number of trucks traveling on Suffolk County roads.
That proposal reflects one of the broader challenges facing the county: moving people and goods across a geographically large region while reducing congestion and pressure on local infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
The State of the County address gave Romaine an opportunity to define what he sees as Suffolk’s priorities for the coming year.
His message combined traditional county responsibilities such as policing, public health and infrastructure with longer-term concerns over affordability, environmental protection and the county’s ability to retain working families.
For residents, the most immediate takeaway may be the tax pledge.
For county government, however, Romaine laid out a much broader agenda: modernize public-safety infrastructure, expand sewer systems, protect natural resources, improve parks and transportation and continue investing in the services he says are necessary to keep Suffolk County viable for future generations.
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Senator Anthony Palumbo Visits Southampton Town Republican Committee, Highlights East End Priorities
SOUTHAMPTON — New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo recently addressed members of the Southampton Town Republican Committee, discussing environmental protection, public safety, local control and several legislative accomplishments from the 2026 session.
From left to right Raheem Soto, vice chairman Southampton town, Republican committee, New York State Senate Anthony Palumbo Southampton town Republican committee leader B.J.Carpenter. East End News Now attended the meeting, where Palumbo spoke about protecting Long Island’s natural resources while also raising concerns about proposals that could eliminate qualified immunity for public officials and broader state actions he said undermine the authority of local governments.
Palumbo represents New York’s 1st Senate District and serves as Deputy Floor Leader and ranking member of the Senate Codes and Judiciary committees. He also serves on the Environmental Conservation Committee.
Environment Remains an East End Priority
Palumbo emphasized protecting the environment as a central concern for the East End, pointing to the importance of clean water, open space and preserving the region’s natural resources.
His recent legislative record includes local measures affecting Southampton and other East End communities, including legislation involving the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Southampton. That measure passed the Senate in June following a home-rule request.
Qualified Immunity and Public Safety
Palumbo also warned committee members about efforts in Albany to eliminate qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that can shield government officials from personal liability in certain civil-rights lawsuits.
Legislation currently before the Senate would prohibit qualified immunity for public officials and authorize additional enforcement mechanisms. The bill remains in committee.
Palumbo framed the issue as one with direct implications for law enforcement and other public officials, arguing that removing those protections could make recruitment and retention more difficult and expose officers to greater personal legal risk.
A Fight Over Home Rule
Another major theme of Palumbo’s remarks was home rule — the principle that local governments should retain authority over matters primarily affecting their own communities.
Palumbo criticized what he described as increasing interference from Albany and the Hochul administration in local decision-making.
That concern is reflected in several bills he has sponsored involving local governments, including legislation affecting Southampton’s trustees, North Haven speed limits and Riverhead property use — all measures that specifically involved local home-rule requests.
Palumbo has also backed legislation aimed at restoring greater legislative checks on gubernatorial emergency powers and requiring more specificity when state actions affect municipalities.
Legislative Accomplishments
Palumbo also highlighted recent accomplishments from his work in Albany, including legislation affecting local government, public safety and East End institutions.
His 2026 record includes Senate passage of legislation restoring state recognition of the Montaukett Indian Nation, as well as measures involving Southampton’s trustees, the Sag Harbor Volunteer Exempt Firemen’s Benevolent Association and other local institutions.
Bringing Albany Back to Southampton
The Southampton Town Republican Committee meeting gave local members an opportunity to hear directly from their state senator about issues being debated in Albany and how those decisions could affect East End communities.
For Palumbo, the message was broader than any single bill: protect the environment, preserve public safety protections and resist state policies that weaken local control.