HUNTINGTON, NY – The Suffolk County Police Department Second Precinct hosted Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the new Starbucks location at 839 New York Avenue, Huntington. Starbucks generously provided free coffee for attendees, creating a welcoming space for neighbors to meet local officers, ask questions, and continue the ongoing work of keeping our community safe.
The event brought together residents, community leaders, Supervisor Ed Smyth and Town officials – and for many of us, it felt like more than a casual meet-and-greet. It felt like a continuation of a partnership that has been built over time through communication, consistency, and confidence.
A Warm Welcome for Inspector Markus Rivera
Our community was proud to welcome Inspector Markus Rivera, the new commanding officer of the Second Precinct following Inspector Kevin Williams’ recent retirement after over 40 years of service.
Inspector Markus Rivera is returning to a precinct he knows well. After serving at the Second Precinct for 13 years as both a Police Officer and a Detective, he left in 2013 before returning four years later in 2017 as the Second Precinct’s Chief of Detectives. Now back in Huntington Station once again, he shared how meaningful it is to serve this community in his new role. “Coming back here is full circle and I look forward to meeting all of you,” Inspector Rivera said.
A Conversation That Meant More Than It Seemed
During the event, I asked Inspector Rivera if he noticed a dramatic reduction in crime when he returned to the precinct in 2017.
His answer was immediate: “I did!”
That moment carried real significance for those of us who lived through the years when Huntington Station had some of the highest crime rates in Suffolk County. When Detective Rivera left the Second Precinct in 2013, our area held the second highest crime rates in the county for decades.
The Huntington Matters Neighborhood Watch was formed in 2014 in response to violent crime in our town. It wasn’t just about reporting incidents – it was about neighbors coming together, staying engaged, and working closely with the Suffolk County Police Department Second Precinct to rebuild the police-community relationship into an effective collaboration that made our community safer.
When Detective Rivera returned in 2017 to lead the Second Precinct detectives, our shared efforts had made a measurable difference. Together, we helped reduce our crime rates to the second lowest in the county – a status we have held since 2016.
Hearing Inspector Rivera acknowledge that change wasn’t just encouraging – it was confirmation of what committed residents and dedicated officers can accomplish when we work side by side.
Looking Ahead
Thank you to the Second Precinct and Starbucks for hosting Coffee with a Cop, and to everyone who attended. These events help keep communication open, relationships strong, and our progress moving forward.
As Huntington Matters Neighborhood Watch, we look forward to continuing our work alongside Inspector Markus Rivera and the entire Suffolk County Police Department Second Precinct as we build on what we’ve achieved – and stay committed to keeping our community safe.
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Photography by Diane Schaber and June Margolin. Videography and Editing by June Margolin.
