West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne infection that can cause encephalitis, is now established across the United States, having been first detected in Suffolk County in 1999 and each year thereafter through 2005. Brian L. Harper, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, urges residents to Fight the Bite, by reducing or eliminating standing water and avoiding mosquito bites.
     West Nile virus can cause serious health problems and can even kill. Individuals aged 50 and above are at highest risk for serious illness. Because mosquitoes spread West Nile virus, protecting yourself against mosquito bites is the best way to avoid the transmission of the disease.
      Beginning Monday, June 5th, residents may once again report sightings of dead crows and blue jays to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Public Health Hotline, by calling (631) 853-8405 between 9:00am and 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Dr. Harper explained, “This information will be used as part of the County’s surveillance efforts. Although not all birds will be collected and sent for testing, this information is important because dead birds may indicate the presence of virus in the area.”   If the bird is not needed for testing, use a shovel or wear gloves to double bag the dead bird and dispose of it in the trash, or bury it at least three feet deep, away from a stream or other water source.
     To report mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, call the Department of Public Works’ Vector Control Division at (631) 852-4270. For medical questions related to West Nile virus or to arrange for a public health speaker, call (631) 853-3055. For further information on West Nile virus, visit the Department of Health
Services’ web site at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health.
 

     Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy signed legislation, which extends the county property tax exemption program to qualified first-time homebuyers. The resolution extends the already-existing exemption program, which is authorized under state law, for another five years First-time homebuyers in Suffolk. meeting SONYMAE income and housing price requirements, receive an exemption on the county portion of their property tax bill on a five-year sliding scale: 50% in year 1; 40% in• year 2; 30% in year 3; 20% in year 4 and 10% in year 5. The county exemption applied to home purchased prior to December 31, 2005, but Levy said the recently approved legislation extends that cutoff date to December 31, 2010.

The Suffolk County Police Identity Theft Unit would like to warn Suffolk County residents of three schemes that are designed to induce victims to divulge personal information that can be used by ID thieves:

Caller ID “spoofing,” credit card PIN fraud and “vishing” are the newest schemes designed to make victims disclose personal information, said Detective Sgt. Stephen Jensen, commander of the Suffolk County Police Department’s identity theft unit. These scams have been reported elsewhere in the country and local authorities are trying to prevent them from happening here, he said.

Spoofing and vishing make use of Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP, technology to fool people into divulging financial information. A spoof call produces a fake Caller ID number that indicates the call is from a financial institution, Jensen said. Believing the call is legitimate, the victim might disclose information that can be used to steal money from his or her bank account.

Vishing, similar to an online scam called “phishing,” starts with a telephone call telling a victim to call a phone number in order to straighten out a problem with his or her credit card or bank account. When the number is called, the victim is asked to input account information using a touch-tone phone.

A third scam involves a call from someone posing as a credit card company rep. The thief already has the victim’s card number and asks only for the three-digit PIN on the back of the card, purportedly to investigate fraudulent purchases.

 “By keeping Suffolk residents abreast of the latest schemes hatched by those who seek to steal our identities and plunder our financial resources, we hope to help residents to protect themselves from preventable crimes,” said County Executive Steve Levy, who--along with Suffolk Police Commissioner Richard Dormer--made the creation of the Identity Theft Unit an early priority of his administration. “We are committed to staying one step ahead of the criminal mind.”

Last year, Suffolk police investigated 1853 cases of suspected identity theft and made 186 arrests. So far this year, 1,100 cases have been investigated, resulting in 138 arrests, Jensen said. Jensen said he thinks Suffolk may already have unwitting victims of the, scams. “I suspect that we do, but the victims haven‘t realized yet that they‘ve been victimized.” Jensen said.

      Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy unveiled a new, non-emergency police number for residents to call with quality-of-life complaints 852-COPS (2677). The new services, funded in part with a $1 million grant obtained by U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, will free up 911 lines and operators for true emergencies, yet still provide citizens with an avenue for calling police about loud parties, barking dogs and other non-life-threatening situations.
    The 852-COPS (2677) will be activated at noon, Thursday, June 1. Calls from the five western towns in Suffolk will be documented and the information referred to the appropriate police precinct. Calls from the five eastern towns will be transferred to their appropriate town or village police departments.
     “It is essential that 911 only be used for true emergencies, but it is also important that citizen have an avenue to report their non-emergency complaints to the police, “ said Levy.