News

^-A A ⁺A

Helping our Youth Write the Next Pages of Black history

Feb

2022

During Black History Month, we stop to consider not only the progress we have made towards equality in this country, but also the ongoing issues facing our Black youth every day.

Historically, young Black males are incarcerated at a higher rate than others. While about 8 percent of the school-age population in Suffolk is African American, Black men currently comprise approximately 41 percent of the inmates under 21 years old in the county jails.

Recent statistics on our youth are even more troubling. We are seeing young people turn to a life of crime at alarming rates, and, without support, they often are unable to get out. A recent report by the nonprofit New York City Criminal Justice Agency found that 48 percent of the 16-year-olds arrested since the Raise the Age law took effect in October 2018 had been rearrested for new crimes by January 2020. These are horrifying statistics that I seek to change| read more ››

Power & Politics Full Show: Gun violence and new congressional maps in New York

Feb

2022

President Joe Biden traveled to New York City this we to discuss ways to deal with the deadly gun violence plaguing the five boroughs and beyond.
And Gov. Kathy Hochul signs off on new congressional maps that give Democrats a heavy political advantage over Republicans. Is this a course correction or gerrymandering at its worst?
Joining News 12’s Rich Barrabi are Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon and former state Sen. Jack Martins.| read more ››

Riverhead Correctional Facility Lit Up in Blue in January to Raise Awareness of Human Trafficking

Jan

2022

January 2022 is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which coincides with the Department of Homeland Security’s annual “Blue Campaign” - a national public awareness effort to educate the public to recognize the signs of victims of human trafficking. To raise awareness, the center façade of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Facility in Riverhead will be lit up in blue light throughout the month of January.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office have embraced the Blue Campaign over the past few years. “Human trafficking is happening in Suffolk County and in communities across the country,” said Sheriff Toulon. “Most often these victims are women who are vulnerable due to a substance abuse issue and who may have had several traumatic experiences throughout their lives. It’s not uncommon for youth in the foster care system to fall victim to traffickers, but men and women from all backgrounds can become victims.”| read more ››

In this Joint Effort, a Fresh START for Suffolk Inmates Begins with the Right Outfit

Nov

2021

A new clothing drive is seeking donations to provide inmates leaving the Suffolk County prison system with dress attire so they can pursue career and educational goals.

Suffolk law enforcement and local nonprofit officials gathered Wednesday at Legis. Bridget Fleming’s (D-Sag Harbor) office on the East End to help announce the launch of the clothing drive, spearheaded by Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon’s office through its Sheriff’s Transition and Re-entry Team, or START, Program. The program, which began in February 2020, is partnering with the Brentwood-based New Hour for Women and Children-LI and the Riverhead-based Sound Justice Initiative for the clothing drive.

Accepted donations include new or cleaned professional attire such as slacks, shirts, leggings, sweaters, sports jackets, pants, shoes, dresses and handbags. Personal hygiene products and office supplies are also needed.| read more ››

Statewide Early Voting Begins Saturday; Here's How to Vote

Oct

2021

ALBANY — Early voting, which will include weekend and evening hours, begins Saturday and extends through Oct. 31 at select polling sites in counties statewide.
Voters will be able to cast ballots on local races and on five statewide ballot proposals.
Here's how to participate in the increasingly popular method of casting ballots for the Nov. 2 election:
In Suffolk County, early voting begins Saturday and Sunday with polls open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening hours begin Tuesday. Suffolk County will have 12 early voting sites. The locations and hours are available at https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/BOE/Early-Voting-Sites-11-2-...| read more ››

Errol Toulon for Suffolk County Sheriff

Oct

2021

In the Suffolk County sheriff's race four years ago, the editorial board supported the Republican Party nominee, Lawrence Zacarese, who then lost a close election to Errol Toulon, a Democrat cross-endorsed by the Conservatives.

Our choice in 2017 was based not only on Zacarese's promise of independence in the post but also on our strong objections to the backroom party machinations that secured Toulon the nomination.

This year brings a very different scenario. While Sheriff Toulon seeks reelection, on the D and C lines, Republicans have filled the ballot line with a nominee, William Amato, who isn't campaigning.| read more ››

Stony Brook University Hosts Law Enforcement Leadership Conference

Oct

2021

A two-day executive leadership conference for law enforcement is being held at Stony Brook University this week.
The conference called “Leading Through Adversity” comes at a time when police departments across New York had to submit police reform plans to the governor’s offices and critics are questioning what has been implemented.
It was organized by Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr.
Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton is the keynote speaker at the event and says this the most challenging time for law enforcement.
“You literally have to go back to the 1970s to have a time from a moral standpoint, an attractiveness of the profession, it’s been quite as bad as it is now,” Bratton says.| read more ››

Data-Driven Justice Community Portrait: Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr

Sep

2021

Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. is the Sheriff of Suffolk County, New York on Long Island. He was born and raised in the Bronx in New York City, and his father and brother were both wardens on Rikers Island. As such, Toulon learned about the criminal justice system from a very early age; in 1982 he joined the New York City Department of Correction where he had a 22-year career in uniform serving in various positions in the Emergency Service Unit, Firearms & Tactics Unit and Compliance Unit. He retired as a captain due to health reasons. In 2014, he returned to the Department of Correction as the Deputy Commissioner of Operations overseeing the Intelligence Unit, Training Academy, Applicant Investigations Unit, Emergency Management and Compliance Units. Taking office in January 2018, Sheriff Toulon is the county’s first African American person to be elected to a non-judicial countywide office. He received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Monroe College, a master’s degree in Business Administration and a doctorate in Educational Administration from Dowling College.| read more ››

Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Community Advisory Board Seeks Additional Members

Aug

2021

Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. is seeking additional interested Suffolk County residents to join the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Community Advisory Board. All interested residents must submit letters of inquiry and resumes to be considered for Board Membership.

The Community Advisory Board meets monthly to give residents an opportunity to meet regularly via Zoom with the Sheriff and his staff, discuss topics of interest and concern, be a conduit for information to local communities, and provide input on Sheriff’s initiatives and policies relating to the Office and its relationship with the general public. The Board consists of members from across Suffolk County.| read more ››

Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Looks to Forge Connections with Kids

Aug

2021

Hoping to build trust between the community and law enforcement, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office had its officers meet and greet children and their families Saturday in Melville for a day of vehicle tours and activities.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. and former Giants cornerback Perry Williams were at White Post Farms in Melville for a "Unity Day" for Long Island residents. Attendees were able to tour police search boats, motorcycles and other vehicles; watch K-9 demonstrations; meet, talk to and take pictures with law enforcement officers; and have children play tug-of-war with sheriff’s deputies and correction officers, among other activities.| read more ››