GREENLAWN, NY – September 8, 2026
Harborfields Public Library
Inspector Markus Rivera had plenty of updates for residents at the September Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct Community Meeting. Crime is moving in the right direction. Traffic crashes and injuries are falling. Investigations are getting cleared. Vape enforcement produced a huge seizure. Massage enforcement may finally be changing behavior. Officers made a difficult arrest and may have saved a man’s life after a horrific “e-bike” crash.
Rivera also discussed National Recovery Month, overdose statistics, ShotSpotter activity, e-bike safety and several upcoming community events. He began the meeting by recognizing the 25th anniversary of September 11 and asking those gathered to join him in a moment of silence.
Residents in attendance have the opportunity to share concerns about their neighborhoods and ask questions directly of police leadership.
Some of the most informative parts of these meetings often come during the resident Q&A. Watch the full video to hear those conversations and Inspector Rivera’s responses.
This article will be updated when the meeting video is available.
Remembering September 11
Inspector Rivera began the meeting with a brief acknowledgment of the 25th anniversary of September 11, remembering the innocent lives lost, the families forever changed, and the courage and bravery of the men and women who responded that day. Those attending joined him for a moment of silence before the presentation began.
Crime Statistics
Crime statistics continued moving in the right direction. Comparing January through August 2026 with the same eight-month period in 2025, overall crime in the 2nd Precinct was down 14.9%.
Violent crime remained higher than last year, but the gap continued to narrow. Earlier this year, the precinct’s year-to-date violent crime total was running 63% higher than the same period in 2025. By the end of August, that increase had fallen to 13%. Assaults, one of the three violent crime categories tracked along with murder and robbery, were now lower than they were at the same point last year. Property crime remained down compared with 2025.
“These are all stats. These are all numbers. But at the end of the day, it’s people.”
Police reported 22 burglaries, with six investigations still active, and eight robberies, with one still active. Rivera said most of the remaining cases had been cleared by arrest and credited cooperation among the precinct’s units and communication with residents.
Domestic Incidents
Police responded to 196 domestic incidents during August, including 67 criminal incidents and 129 non-criminal incidents. Officers made 30 arrests related to domestic incidents.
Traffic Crashes Drop 17%
Traffic safety was one of the most significant updates of the meeting. A 2nd Precinct review comparing June through August 2026 with the same three-month period in 2025 showed crashes decreased from 746 to 621, a reduction of 17%. Injuries fell from 173 to 124, a 28% decrease, while fatalities dropped from four to one. In practical terms, Rivera pointed out that the numbers represent 125 fewer crashes and 49 fewer injuries.
“These are real people. They’re not just numbers. That’s 125 less crashes, 49 less injuries. So these people got in their car. They had a destination and they made it there without getting into a crash or ending up in a hospital.”
Rivera showed residents a map overlaying crash locations with traffic stops, demonstrating that enforcement is being concentrated where crashes are occurring, including the Route 110 corridor, Jericho Turnpike, Larkfield Road, Depot Road, Park Avenue and Main Street. The precinct is also working with the Town of Huntington to incorporate speeding data so officers can determine not only where speeding is occurring, but when, allowing limited police resources to be deployed at the locations and times where they can have the greatest impact.
Rivera stressed that more traffic stops do not necessarily mean more tickets. Officers also issue written warnings, with increased police visibility and changing driver behavior part of the overall strategy.
Suffolk Intensified Traffic Enforcement
The Highway Patrol Bureau assisted the 2nd Precinct for several days over the previous two months, targeting high-crash locations and issuing 312 summonses. Rivera said enforcement focused on violations that contribute to crashes, including speeding and aggressive driving, red lights, stop signs, distracted driving and seatbelt violations.
Fatal Crash
One fatal crash was reported in August. Police believe the driver suffered a medical event before the vehicle struck a fence.
National Recovery Month and Overdoses
September is National Recovery Month. Rivera spoke about the impact of addiction and the importance of recognizing recovery, noting that police often encounter people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
“Even better than making an arrest is to truly help someone and put them on the right path.”
During August, the 2nd Precinct recorded two overdoses. One person was revived with Narcan and one overdose was fatal.
Vape Enforcement
A department-wide vape enforcement initiative checked 22 locations, with six found to be non-compliant. In each case, an arrest was made for Unlawfully Dealing with a Child in the Second Degree, a misdemeanor.
Joe Joe Convenience – 212 Depot Road, Huntington Station
One Stop Deli & Convenience – 5 High Street, Huntington
Smoke & Vape Shop – 108 Broadway, Greenlawn
Greenlawn Dairy Mart – 100 Broadway, Greenlawn
FMS Vapes – 825 Walt Whitman Road, Melville
341 Convenience and Candy – 341 New York Avenue, Huntington – police seized approximately 16,000 flavored vapes.
Massage Business Enforcement
Rivera said increased fines and continued enforcement against illegal massage businesses may finally be changing behavior, with some businesses targeted by police not reopening.
“We’re starting to see a trend where they are not coming back. And that’s the whole goal.”
ShotSpotter
There were three ShotSpotter activations in August. Two produced negative results. On August 14, shots were fired into a house on East Eighth Street, with another round striking a neighbor’s vehicle. The reckless endangerment investigation remains active.
Arrests and Investigations
Rivera highlighted the arrest of a suspect connected to five burglaries, three grand larcenies and two petit larcenies. The Second Squad, Anti-Crime Unit, Precinct Crime Unit and patrol worked together to locate the suspect.
“It took a real coordinated effort, a lot of follow up, a lot of communication and some creative investigative thinking to actually locate and arrest this person.”
In another investigation, officers responding to a call during the overnight hours on August 7 encountered suspects believed to be stealing tools from work trucks in East Northport and Greenlawn. The driver was apprehended, the vehicle was seized and numerous power tools were recovered. The investigation remains ongoing.
Rivera reminded residents to lock their vehicles and never leave keys or key fobs inside.
E-Bike Safety and Electric Motorcycle Crash
Rivera again reminded residents that helmets are required for e-bike riders, sidewalk riding is prohibited, riders must be at least 16 years old and e-bikes cannot be ridden on county or local roads posted over 30 mph.
He then described a serious crash involving what is sometimes mistaken for an e-bike but was actually an electric motorcycle similar to a Surron. The rider was trying a friend’s motorcycle when he lost control and crashed through a plate glass window. Broken glass severed an artery, causing severe bleeding.
2nd Precinct officers arrived quickly and applied tourniquets. Rivera said they “quite frankly, may have saved his life.”
Upcoming Events
Unity Fun Day is September 19, beginning with a 10 a.m. parade from Jefferson Primary School to Stimson Middle School. Basketball and lacrosse clinics are planned.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Town of Huntington are seeking employers, live demonstrators and motivational speakers for a September 19 career event for high school students.
A National Recovery Month program Kratom & Adolescents: Emerging Drug Trends will be held September 17 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Huntington Town Hall.
The next Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct Community Meeting is scheduled for October 6 at 7:00PM at South Huntington Public Library.
Watch the Full Video and Resident Q&A
Residents had the opportunity to bring their own neighborhood concerns directly to police leadership following Rivera’s presentation.
Watch the full meeting video for the complete presentation, additional details and resident Q&A.
🚓 CONTACT SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT:
2ND Precinct COPE: (631) 854-8250
Community Liaison Officer: (631) 854-8253
Crime Stoppers: 1-800-220-TIPS
Non-Emergency: (631) 852-COPS
Website: https://suffolkpd.org/
Instagram: @scpd2ndprecinct
Twitter: @SCPD2ndPrecinct
🚘 Thank you to Empire Automotive Group based in Huntington, NY for sponsoring our coverage of this month’s meeting. Visit them at: https://www.shopempireauto.com/
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Photography by Diane Schaber and Dana E. Richter. Videography by June Margolin. Video Editing by Dana E. Richter.
