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Levy and Dormer: New Anti-Gang Unit Showing Huge Results
Officials Credit Six-Fold Increase in Arrests to Work of New Patrol Special Operations Team
Police Program to Stem Criminal Activity also features Community Outreach, Educational Components
Brentwood, NY –
-Suffolk Executive Steve Levy was joined during a press conference at the Suffolk Police Department’s Third Precinct on September 29 by Suffolk Police Commissioner Richard Dormer and community leaders in announcing significant arrest results from a newly created law enforcement unit designed to diminish gang violence in the county.
The county executive released arrest data covering the first five weeks of action by the new gang suppression team, noting a surge of more than 500% compared to the previous five-week average for 2009. Beginning in August, the unit brought together 20 officers who had been working under separate police precinct commands. The new unit is guided by Deputy Inspector Gerard Gigante, commanding officer of the Patrol Special Operations Bureau, and Assistant Chief Nicholas Mango from the Office of the Chief of Patrol.
Officers working in separate precincts from January through mid-August this year had arrested an average of eight gang members over a five-week period. The newly formed gang suppression team arrested 52 gang members over the five-week period running from August 11 through September 15. The number of total charges and total felony charges were also up, Levy announced.
“By combining these personnel into a single unit, we have created a team that can immediately and visibly make its presence known in ‘hot spots’ where gang activity is suspected,” said Levy. “The success of this unit reflects its ability to infiltrate areas with swiftness and great determination.”
The county executive and police commissioner pointed out that Suffolk’s anti-gang efforts go beyond the formation of the gang suppression team to include community outreach and school education components. The program features interaction among the police department, the Suffolk Youth Bureau and community agencies and area schools, as well as other organizations. Press conference participants included Suffolk Youth Bureau Executive Director Lou Medina; Patchogue-Medford Youth Association Director Linda Licato, Boys and Girls Club of Suffolk County Executive Director Devon Daniel, and Abundant Life Church of God (Holbrook) Pastor Greg Wilk, all of whom said that their goals include providing programs and services, as well as education that will steer youngsters away from gang participation.
The police gang suppression is supported by Suffolk District Attorney Spota, who joined Levy and Dormer at a July 29 press conference announcing the unit’s creation. Spota noted that the surge in gang activity in Suffolk mirrors that of other counties and states, adding that the special-unit strategy “will more effectively apply law enforcement resources to where they are needed.” Spota’s office has contributed prosecutors and detectives to the effort, as well as additional constitutional law and tactical training to officers who are part of the special unit.
Police Commissioner Dormer said the creation of the Gang Suppression Team was a “dramatic and aggressive” move that was precipitated by incidents including a June 15 incident at Timberline Park in Brentwood where a 13-year-old boy was shot in the head and seriously injured. Patrols have been concentrated in Brentwood and Huntington following shootings in those communities, as well as in Wyandanch, North Amityville and elsewhere, depending upon need.
As part of the program, the police department established contacts with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Task Force, and two forces will continue to work cooperatively in investigations going forward, Dormer said.
The comprehensive anti-gang initiative is also designed to respond to a recent increase in aggravated assault and robberies. “During the first five years of my administration, we have helped reduce crime across the board—a 2.41% drop in property crime, a 9.87% decline in violent crime and a 10.83% reduction in overall crime, Levy said. “However, we must remain vigilant as the economy worsens and as gangs continue to expand into suburban areas.”
Levy and Dormer urged members of the public who have information about gang activity in their communities to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-220-TIPS. Information can also be delivered via text messages sent to “SCPD” that includes the information plus the word “CRIMES” in the body of the message. All calls and messages will remain strictly confidential.
RAMPING UP GANG ARRESTS—Suffolk Executive Steve Levy (at podium) announced a six-fold increase in gang-member arrests over the first five weeks that a new gang suppression team made its presence felt in area communities. Levy was joined at a Third Police Precinct press conference on September 29 by (from left) Suffolk Police Commissioner Richard Dormer; Pastor Greg Wilk of the Abundant Life Church of God (Holbrook); Executive Director Devon Daniel of the Boys and Girls Club of Suffolk County; Director Linda Licato of the Patchogue-Medford Youth Association, and Assistant Chief Nicholas Mango from the Office of the Chief of Patrol.
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