Fake Cops, Real Crashes & a Polio Milestone

Good Morning,

From local arrests to a look back at Suffolk’s polio rollout and this week’s community events, here’s what’s happening across the area.

-Brian Grant, managing editor, writer

Local Pulse

🚔 A former Long Island code enforcement officer allegedly impersonated a police officer and conducted a fake DWI arrest, authorities say. The incident, which took place in Suffolk County, involved the suspect using emergency lights and detaining someone without legal authority. [Patch]

🛑 Suffolk County police have arrested a suspect tied to a series of planned robberies targeting delivery drivers along the South Shore. Since late February, at least five drivers were lured to specific locations—mainly in North Bellport, Shirley, and Patchogue—where they were robbed of cash and phones. [News 12 Long Island]

🚓 A 76-year-old Medford man was arrested for DWI after driving the wrong way and causing a head-on crash in Yaphank Wednesday night, police said. The incident happened around 9:45 p.m. at Yaphank-Middle Island Road and Rustic Road—fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. [Patch]

⚖️ State Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano is being sued by a former staffer who alleges he sexually harassed her and failed to pay overtime wages. His attorney denies the accusations and vows to fight them in court. [Patch]

Day in History

A Shot of Hope: Remembering Suffolk County’s Polio Vaccine Rollout in 1955

It was front-page news on April 14, 1955, when The Patchogue Advance announced that Suffolk County was gearing up to distribute the Salk polio vaccine to thousands of children. Just days earlier, the nation had learned that the vaccine was proven effective against paralytic polio—a breakthrough that promised to end the fear that had haunted families for decades.

The announcement came with poignant timing: on the tenth anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death. Himself a victim of polio, Roosevelt had long been a symbol of resilience in the face of the disease. In Suffolk, the news sparked immediate mobilization.

Dr. Philip J. Rafle, then chairman of the Suffolk County Medical Society, estimated that 30,000 local children were eligible for the vaccine. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis supplied the doses, and school-based clinics were quickly scheduled with volunteer physicians staffing public, parochial, and private schools.

Children who had participated in the previous year’s vaccine trials—more than 12,000 in Suffolk—were soon to learn if they had received real inoculations or placebos. Over 5,000 were already known to be protected.

As the county prepared for the rollout to begin the week of April 25, a network of volunteers, sprang into action to help with transportation, communication, and logistics. It was a moment when science, community, and hope came together—and changed the course of history in Suffolk County.

Community Highlights

• PAC MoCA L.I. is hosting Sahrawi Tea Ritual Dialogues on Nomadic Knowledges, a unique event with guest artist Mohamed Sleiman Labat exploring Sahrawi culture and storytelling in a traditional tent setting. Join the Community Art Tent on April 21 from 2:00–6:15 pm. [PAC MoCA L.I.]

• The Penguin Lessons is playing at the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center from April 18–24. This heartwarming drama-comedy follows an Englishman in 1970s Argentina whose life changes after rescuing a penguin.

• The Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce is holding its April General Membership Meeting on April 30 at 8am at the BBP Library, featuring a presentation on the BBP School Budget by school administrators and light refreshments.

• Bango Bowls, a Long Island chain known for salads, smoothies, and acai bowls, is opening its 10th location in Bayport, offering a healthy take-out option for busy families. [Suffolk County News]

• The Village of Patchogue is hosting its 25th Annual Bunny Run on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Father Tortora Park. This free outdoor event features egg hunts, raffles, a jelly bean count, and photos with the Easter Bunny. Children aged 4–6 can participate at 12:00 PM, while those aged 7–9 can join at 12:30 PM. The first 50 kids in each age group will receive a special goodie bag. Don't forget to bring your egg basket!

• Seed the Arts plant sales with PAC return this spring with rare heirloom vegetables, herbs, and unique perennials on April 18–19 and May 18–19 outside PAC • MoCA L.I. All proceeds support local arts, seed preservation, and sustainable farming. [Patchogue Arts Council]

• Ruta Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine is celebrating its 3-year anniversary on April 26 with live mariachi, a DJ, brunch, drink specials, and more at their Patchogue location. Come join the party and toast to an incredible journey with the Ruta family! [Ruta Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine]

• The Village of Bellport is hosting its Arbor Day celebration with a tree planting at Village Hall on April 25 at 11:00am. A great way to honor the importance of trees in our environment. [Village of Bellport]

• The Suffolk County Department of Health Services and the Town of Brookhaven are offering free rabies vaccinations for pets on Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter. [Patch]

• Blues songstress Beth Hart is set to perform at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on April 22, 2025, at 8:00 PM. Don’t miss the chance to see her live! [Patchogue Patch]

• The Bellport Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Easter Bonnet & Crazy Hat Parade on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Participants are encouraged to showcase their most creative and whimsical hats. The parade will begin at 11:00 AM at the Firehouse.

• The Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association is hosting Murder at Meadow Croft, a live-action CLUE-inspired mystery night on May 17, 2025, where guests can explore the historic estate to solve a whodunit. Tickets go on sale April 15 and include two evening sessions for sleuths aged 12 and up. [Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association]

• The Friends of the Bayport-Blue Point Library are hosting the Bayminster Dog Parade & Artisan Fair on April 27, 2025, from 1–4 PM, featuring a dog parade with ribbons in multiple categories and a local artisan fair. Suggested donation for parading pups is $20. [Bayport-Blue Point Library]

Community Highlights

Local Sports

🥎 Bayport-Blue Point Softball continued their road dominance with a 16-4 win over Center Moriches, marking their tenth straight victory away from home. The Phantoms’ strong pitching has held opponents to just 1.5 runs per game over that streak.

🥍 Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.) surged to No. 6 in the USA Lacrosse High School Girls' National Top 25 after extending their unbeaten run to 5-0 with another dominant in-region win. The Phantoms continue to climb the ranks as one of the top teams in the country, just behind St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) and Episcopal (Pa.). [USA Lacrosse]

Here’s your Patchogue area local sports recap from April 16th’s action—let’s check out how our hometown teams fared on the fields.

Baseball
Bayport-Blue Pt 9 Babylon 8
Bellport 2 Smithtown West 13

Girls Lacrosse
Bayport-Blue Pt 13 Westhampton 7

Softball
Bellport 0 Deer Park 8
Patchogue-Medford 11 Rocky Point 8

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