7 Crucial Facts About The Suffolk County Police 1st Precinct You Need To Know In 2024

The Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) 1st Precinct is the primary law enforcement agency serving the entire Town of Babylon, New York, an area encompassing a diverse population and numerous distinct communities. As of late 2024, the precinct continues to focus heavily on proactive community policing, gang enforcement, and combating specific regional crime trends, which include addressing a county-wide increase in shootings and motor vehicle theft. The precinct's commitment to transparency is highlighted by its regular public community meetings, where residents can directly engage with command staff and receive up-to-the-minute crime data. This article provides a deep, up-to-date look at the 1st Precinct, its leadership, its jurisdiction, and the key initiatives driving its operations in the current year, offering essential information for every resident and stakeholder in the Town of Babylon.

The 1st Precinct Command Staff and Operational Profile

The 1st Precinct operates under the broader umbrella of the Suffolk County Police Department, which is currently led by Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. The precinct itself is a critical hub for police services in the western part of Suffolk County, covering a large and complex jurisdiction.

Current 1st Precinct Command Staff:

• Commanding Officer: Inspector Brendan Forte
• Location: 555 Route 109, West Babylon, NY 11704
• Phone Number (Front Desk): 631-854-8100
• Jurisdiction: The entire Town of Babylon
• Community Liaison Officer (CLO): P.O. Luke Dunatov (responsible for addressing non-emergency issues and concerns)

Inspector Brendan Forte, as the Commanding Officer, frequently addresses the community, providing updates on enforcement actions and local crime statistics. His leadership is focused on utilizing specialized units, like the Precinct Crime Sections and Motor Patrol, which are responsible for the majority of vehicle stops and proactive enforcement within the district.

Jurisdiction and Key Communities Served

The 1st Precinct’s jurisdiction is defined by the borders of the Town of Babylon. This area includes a mix of incorporated villages and unincorporated hamlets, each presenting unique policing challenges and community needs. The officers assigned to the 1st Precinct are tasked with maintaining public safety across this entire region.

Major Communities Covered by the 1st Precinct:

• West Babylon: Home to the precinct headquarters on Route 109.
• Lindenhurst: An incorporated village that receives patrol and police services from the 1st Precinct.
• Babylon Village: The incorporated village of Babylon is also under the precinct's patrol jurisdiction.
• North Babylon: A large, unincorporated hamlet within the Town of Babylon.
• Deer Park: A major commercial and residential area within the precinct's coverage.
• Wyandanch: A community with specialized policing needs, often involving gang enforcement efforts.
• Amityville: The precinct covers the town areas of Amityville outside of the incorporated village's own police department jurisdiction.

The precinct employs various specialized assignments to address the specific needs of these communities, including School Resource Officers, Gang Enforcement details, and officers dedicated to community policing initiatives.

SCPD 1st Precinct: Current Crime Trends and Enforcement Focus (2024)

The 1st Precinct's operational focus in 2024 is heavily influenced by county-wide and local crime trends. While Suffolk County generally maintains a crime rate lower than the New York State average, the department is actively combating specific areas of concern.

Key Crime and Enforcement Entities:

1. Motor Vehicle Theft: This remains a persistent issue, with the 1st Precinct continually focusing on arrests and preventative measures to curb the theft of vehicles across the Town of Babylon.
2. Violent Crime and Shootings: A major concern across Suffolk County has been a reported increase in shootings, often attributed to youth gang violence. The 1st Precinct's Gang Enforcement unit is critical in addressing this issue within its jurisdiction, particularly in communities like Wyandanch.
3. Traffic Enforcement: As of a November 2024 community meeting, Commanding Officer Inspector Forte reported a high volume of enforcement, with over 26,500 tickets issued in the precinct. This high number underscores the precinct's focus on traffic safety and using stops as a tool for proactive crime prevention.
4. Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR): The precinct regularly reports its data to the SCPD's UCR Dashboard, tracking major categories of crime, including Burglary, Larceny, Robbery, and Aggravated Assault, allowing the public to monitor local safety trends.

The precinct’s "Precinct Crime Sections" play a vital role in targeted enforcement, often working in collaboration with specialized units from the larger Suffolk County Police Department, such as the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) and the Community Relations Bureau.

Community Engagement and Transparency Initiatives

A cornerstone of the 1st Precinct’s strategy is its commitment to community engagement, providing residents with direct access to police leadership and information.

2024 Community Programs:

• Monthly Community Meetings: The 1st Precinct hosts regular, monthly community meetings throughout 2024, from January through December. These forums are essential for discussing local crime trends, new safety programs, and precinct activities.
• Community Liaison Officer (CLO) Program: P.O. Luke Dunatov serves as the dedicated CLO, acting as the primary point of contact for residents to address issues and concerns that may not be emergency-related.
• COPE Officer Program: The Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) program focuses on building positive relationships and collaboratively solving neighborhood problems, a key strategy in the diverse hamlets of the Town of Babylon.
• Partnership with SCPD Programs: The precinct supports county-wide initiatives, including the Alarm Management Program of Suffolk (AMPS) and the SAVE (School-Age Violence Education) program, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to safety.

The active scheduling of community meetings for the entire year of 2024 demonstrates the SCPD's ongoing effort to foster transparency and collaboration between law enforcement and the communities it serves.

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