Holiday Tips from the Amityville Police Department

Here are some holiday tips from the Amityville Police Dept.  This is posted on www.amityville.com:
 

The Holiday Season can bring new opportunities for criminals. The Village of Amityville Police Department hopes you take into consideration the following safety tips during this 2012 Holiday Season:

When Shopping

•  Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
•  Park in a well-lit area and have your keys and cell phone at the ready.
•  Remember where you parked. Look at the row markings when you arrive.
•  Keep packages and valuables out of view in the car and lock your vehicle.
•  Try to shop with a companion during daylight hours.
•  Only take with you what is necessary for shopping. If you are pickpocketed, you don’t want to lose everything.

At Home

•  Set the alarm if you have one.
•  Let trusted neighbors know your plans so they can keep watch.
•  Lock the doors and turn on outdoor lighting.
•  Try to be home for package deliveries. A package sitting on the doorstep can be a dead giveaway that no one is home.
•  Be alert and aware of what is happening in your neighborhood and our community.
•  Call the Police immediately if something seems out of the ordinary.

Driving
 Our roadways can be extremely dangerous during normal circumstances. When you factor in our preoccupied minds during this holiday season, congested roadways and people rushing around, this can only increase the odds of having an accident. Add alcohol or talking and texting on the phone to this equation and you create a recipe for disaster.

We implore you to be responsible and alert. When driving, wear your seatbelts and stay off the phone. If you ability is impaired, DO NOT DRIVE!

The members of the Amityville Police Department wish our community a safe and healthy Holiday Season and hope you seriously consider our recommendations.


Chief Donald J. Dobby, Jr.

Restaurant Week Extended to November 18th!

Long Island Restaurant Week is being extended to November 18th due to the hurricane.  This means you get an extra week to eat at your favorite restaurants for $25 prix-fixe.  Here is the link to check which restaurants are participating:

http://longislandrestaurantweek.com/

Amityville Volunteer Efforts - St. Martin of Tours and Hope for Amityville Facebook Community

Need help?  Want to help?  St. Martin of Tours gym has become a central location for various community volunteers.  People in need can pick up supplies, food, toiletries, blankets, etc.  Volunteers can sign up to deliver items, organize donations, clean houses, etc.

Hope for Amityville Community Hurricane Relief (Facebook) is part of this effort.  Here is an example of an awesome way villagers are banding together, pooling talents and resources, and taking action to help fellow neighbors in need in the wake of this devastating hurricane. 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hope-for-Amityville-Community-Hurricane-Relief/433266573403346?ref=stream

A text hotline has been set up for those who need help.  Please text the address and items needed anonymously to: 516-456-9912 or 631-338-0174.


Get involved; it's your community.

Dinner for Amityville Residents without Power

Amityville residents without power will be able to enjoy a hot meal at the Amityville Main Fire House, 55 W. Oak Street, this Friday, November 9th and Saturday, November 10th between the hours of 6 PM and 9 PM.  Please bring proof of residency.

Food donated by Country Roads Caterers and the Village of Amityville.

Food & Water Distributed @ Babylon Town Hall

Food and water will be distributed on Friday, November 9th, from 11am to 1pm at Babylon Town Hall for residents affected by Hurricane Sandy. The town hall also has charging stations for electronic devices.  Please notify those who may be in need.

Babylon Town Hall200 East Sunrise Highway
Lindenhurst NY 11757

New Autism Insurance Reform Law

This information concerning insurance benefits was posted on 10/31 by Senator Fuschillo's website: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/charles-j-fuschillo-jr.  It should be especially helpful for those families affected by autism:

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced today that a new law he authored to enable individuals with autism spectrum disorders to receive insurance coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment, will take effect tomorrow, November 1st. The new law will save families with autism tens of thousands of dollars a year in out of pocket costs for autism treatment and therapies which many insurance companies refuse to cover.

“For years, families have fought for access to treatment coverage for their loved ones with autism,” said Senator Fuschillo. “This new law affords individuals with autism the opportunity to receive treatments and therapies they need without being forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket every year. The law taking effect tomorrow will dramatically improve the lives of families affected by autism.”

Under the law, insurance companies are required to provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including behavioral health treatments, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Many insurance companies have routinely denied coverage for these treatments, forcing families to choose between exhausting their finances or forgoing important treatments because they can’t afford the cost. Insurance companies are also prohibited from terminating coverage or refusing to renew, adjust, amend, issue, or execute a policy solely because the individual has been diagnosed with or received treatment for autism spectrum disorders.

The new law builds upon an existing law, authored by Senator Fuschillo, to ensure that individuals with autism receive equitable coverage.

Autism Spectrum Disorders affect individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 88 children, including 1 in 54 boys, are currently affected with autism. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined, according to Autism Speaks, one of the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organizations.

Post- Sandy Dumpster Locations

The following is a message concerning the removal of storm debris from amityville.com:


The removal of storm debris is a combined Village of Amityville/Town of Babylon effort. There will be no charge for the removal of storm debris. Any debris placed in front of your home in the affected area will be removed. This is a monumental effort and we ask you to please be patient. Additional manpower and equipment is on its way from outside the area. Both the town and village forces are working 7 days a week to get the debris removed.

Dumpsters have been placed throughout the village for storm related household debris. Dumpsters will be emptied once full and replaced. DPW will be picking up items placed at your curb and load it in the dumpsters. The following are the current locations of dumpsters for storm related household debris:
Richmond & Ocean (3)

Shore & Central (1)

Richmond & Anita (1)

S Bayview & MacDonald (1)

Bayside Place & Ocean (1)

Dewey & Purdy (1)

S Bayview & Purdy (1)

Bayview Place & S Bay Road (1)

Dumpster locations will be adjusted based on the debris locations.

Amityville Schools to Re-open

The schools will re-open for students on Wednesday, November 7th.  Only staff returns today, November 6th, for Superintendent's Conference Day.

Long Island Restaurant Week: Nov 4 - 11

Long Island Restaurant Week is finally here and right on time to provide a much needed distraction from the events of the past week.  Over 225 restaurants participate in this annual prix-fixe feast where you can dine at some of the island's best restaurants for only $25.

Two Amityville favorites are included this year: Vittorio's and VERO (which just re-opened), both on Rt.110 in the village. You can book your reservations at www.opentable.com.  If you have dined at either of these restaurants, you know $25 is a steal!  Please be sure that you are ordering from the Restaurant Week menu.

For more information and to find out if your favorite restaurant is participating, go to -
http://www.longislandrestaurantweek.com/dine.php.