Crime & Safety

Crimes Nearby: Cops Investigate Offensive Graffiti in Smithtown Parks

The following arrest information was supplied by the Suffolk County Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

Smithtown

Suffolk County Hate Crimes Unit is investigating a rash of graffiti incidents at a handful of parks in the area - including Burr Winkle Park and Cedar Road Park - and while no gang activity is suspected, the offensive nature of some of the markings could lead to felony arrests.

Det. James Mosby, a 20-year veteran of Suffolk County Police Hate Crimes Unit, said Tuesday morning that his unit is seeking the public's help in determining who is responsible for defacing playground equipment and park grounds in Commack, Huntington, and Smithtown over the past few months.

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In Cedar Road Park, two incidents in June - one on June 20, and other on June 28 - included swastikas and anti-black grafitti posted on multiple handball courts. At Burr Winkle Park in mid-May, four swastikas were found written on playground equipment with permanent markers, and two more were found etched into the equipment. Sexually explicit comments were written on the grounds as well.

Mosby said the doings are likely those of local teens, ones he sees unaffiliated with any organized gangs and perhaps unaware what the symbols truly mean.

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Police are offering a cash reward for any information leading to an arrest related to any of the incidents. Individuals can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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Sound Beach

Robert Disalvo, 41, of Sound Beach, was arrested Aug. 6 in Riverhead and charged with scheme to defraud in the first degree with one or more persons and property in excess of $1,000. Disalvo allegedly hired people to do work and then failed to pay them the agreed amount in March.

Miller Place

A 16-year-old, of Coram, was arrested Aug. 9 in Miller Place and charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. The teen was allegedly in possession of a pipe that had crack residue on it.

Flanders

Tammy L. Cipriano, 44, of Flanders, was arrested Aug. 11 at 1:04 a.m. in Flanders and charged with DWI and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, both misdemeanors, and moving from lane unsafely, a traffic infraction. Police said that she was pulled over at Cypress Avenue and Flanders Road for crossing the white shoulder line. When she was booked at police headquarters in Hampton Bays, officers found she was in possession of crack cocaine, according to the arrest report.


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