Huntington Station will be getting more security cameras through a partnership between State Sen. Jim Gaughran, Town Councilwoman Joan Cergol, the town and the Huntington Station Business Improvement District.
Gaughran, who secured $180,000 for the cameras, said, “I was proud to secure this critical funding that will improve public safety within Huntington Station. This money will fully fund additional security cameras and an upgrade to the existing camera system, which provides law enforcement a key tool in deterring crime and responding to criminal behavior. The safety of our residents and community is our top priority and these cameras will ensure that. I thank Councilwoman Cergol for her leadership on this issue and look forward to working with Supervisor Lupinacci and the entire Town Board to implement this initiative.”
The funding will allow the business group to install additional cameras and upgrade its existing camera system, which is monitored by the Suffolk County Police Department. Gaughran secured the funding following requests by the Town of Huntington after a series of public safety issues this year, including two stabbings in Huntington Station.
Town of Huntington Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci said “We are thrilled the grant funding we have been working to secure for these critical public safety infrastructure improvements has been approved and the new video cameras we will now be able to install in locations throughout Huntington Station will help keep our area safe and expand the abilities of the Town’s Department of Public Safety in providing assistance to our local law enforcement.”
Cergol said, “For more than a decade, the Huntington Station BID has taken the lead in using surveillance cameras to reduce crime, pioneering their installation, engaging the Suffolk County Police Department in monitoring their network and partnering with the Town. As someone who has worked with the BID for many years and believes that assuring safety should be a priority, I have participated in many BID board discussions over how their technology had become outdated and how the cameras needed an upgrade. So I am extremely happy that there is now a fourth element to this BID-SCPD-Town partnership, New York State, and that this grant obtained by Sen. Gaughran will help upgrade the BID’s system and strengthen its effectiveness in ensuring public safety for those who live, work or visit Huntington Station.”
Steve Conte, president of the Huntington Station B.I.D., said “On behalf the Huntington Station Bid, we would like to thank Senator Jim Gaughran, Councilwoman Joan Cergol, Supervisor Chad Lupinacci and all of the Town Board as well as Public Safety and the Suffolk County Second Precinct for collaborating with the Huntington Station BID on this very important issue concerning our District. We look forward to implementing and helping during the process for the new camera system.”