Amid freezing temperatures and flurries and with only four days’ notice due to the government shutdown, the Riverhead PBA and local fire departments organized an informal Veterans Day gathering Tuesday along Middle Country Road outside the cemetery’s main entrance.

The Riverhead and Jamesport fire departments showed their support with their ladder trucks and draped a large American flag over the cemetery entrance. First responders dressed in their highest uniforms, and Riverhead police vehicles flashed their lights along the roadway. Those who attended waved their own American flags.

Air Force veteran John Maida of Coram, 69, made sure he was among those proudly waving the stars and stripes.

“I have many friends who are buried here, even some in-laws who are buried here, I had to come out and support,” Mr. Maida, who noted he too will be buried at Calverton National Cemetery. “I’m here, I don’t care how cold it is … I got my flag, and I’m going to stay here until it’s over with.” 

Photos by Ana Borruto below.

Mr. Maida enlisted at 17 and started basic training in 1975 as the Vietnam War was ending, serving for three years at bases in Oklahoma and Texas. He also worked at Calverton National Cemetery for four years — charged with interments and setting headstones. 

Brett Drost, who served out of Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton, attended the tribute with his wife and young daughter. He said it is important to honor the commitments and efforts made by veterans. 

“It takes a lot for somebody to sign on the dotted line and be willing to [serve] — you don’t take it lightly,” said Mr. Drost. “Whether the government’s running or not, they still have to keep stuff like this going because it’s for the citizens, it’s for the ones who served.”

Officials last week announced the funding lapse due to the government shutdown did not give the Calverton National Cemetery or its support committee enough time to prepare the grounds and secure the necessary resources to put on a proper ceremony on Tuesday. There has been reduced workforce at the cemetery as well, which has impacted grounds maintenance. 

After the news broke, many Facebook commenters expressed their disappointment and shared how they have family members buried in the cemetery. 

The ceremony was quickly cobbled together after John Morris, vice president of the Riverhead PBA, said he thought about the many PBA members who are veterans or still in active duty, and felt some kind of tribute still needed to happen despite the stalemate in Washington.

He called his fellow Riverhead Town police officer Kevin Thomas, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, to figure out how they would be able to organize a gathering in a short span of time.

“We reached out to Riverhead Fire Department and Jamesport Fire Department, and they immediately responded with overwhelming support,” Mr. Thomas said. “It was just good coordination and everyone was so willing to help, it made it easy.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the federal agency that operates Calverton National Cemetery. It is one of the largest, most active national cemeteries currently overseen by the National Cemetery Administration.

In an updated statement prior to the Riverhead PBA announcing its gathering, Cyndi Ventura, president of the Support Committee for Calverton National Cemetery, encouraged the community to still make alternative plans to pay respects to veterans.

“The Support Committee regrets the need to cancel the ceremony that had been planned for Veterans Day 2025. Our national cemeteries are shrines to our nation’s heroes and there is special meaning in holding these ceremonies on those sacred grounds,” wrote Ms. Ventura. “However, the most important thing to all of us is that Veterans receive the tributes they have earned through service and sacrifice.”

The Calverton National Cemetery’s annual Memorial Day ceremony is slated for May 25, 2026. 

The cemetery remains open to visitors during daylight hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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During an Oct. 16 work session, Riverhead Police Chief Ed Frost presented a monthly report which showed there were 628 criminal incidents over the busy summer season: 157 in June, 145 in July, 168 in August and 158 in September — down from 849 logged during the same period last year.

The decline comes as Riverhead has increased its police presence downtown with more patrols and officers. In the last few years, the Riverhead Police Department has bumped up its police force from 88 full-time sworn officers in 2021 to today’s historic high of over 100. A new police chief and captain have also been sworn into the department in the last year.

“It’s nice when you beef up the police department and see results like that,” Riverhead Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard said at the work session. “That’s exactly what it was intended to do, and it’s working like it should.”

Mr. Hubbard previously wrote in the 2026 tentative town budget that he “will not cut back on public safety.” In the breakdown of expenditures in the town’s preliminary 2026 budget, the spending for the police department, which includes personnel services, equipment and contractual costs, accounts for a significant amount of the $4.3 million general fund increase for next year.

“There is no ‘fat’ in this budget; in fact, it reflects a reduction of $319,009 in equipment and $216,000 in vehicle expenditures,” he previously stated.

Chief Frost said the police department is “adequately staffed,” which helps its specialized units deter crime in town.

In terms of arrests, 78 were made in June, 67 in July, 88 in August, and 74 in September. Since the beginning of the year, the police department has made over 700 arrests.

Over a nine-month period, the most frequent criminal offenses reported by the police department include 290 shoplifting incidents, 214 simple assaults, 109 vandalism offenses and 140 involving driving under the influence.

Looking at more major crimes since January, there have also been 24 total aggravated assaults, 19 burglaries/break-ins, 47 reported thefts from motor vehicles, 47 identity thefts, 43 drug/narcotic violations and three forcible rapes.

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The first incident was reported at East End Arts on 133 East Main St. in Riverhead on Oct. 6. Eight days later, Riverhead police responded to the second burglary on Oct. 14 at La Cascada, located at 1352 East Main St.

The Riverhead Police Department Detective Squad conducted an investigation of both incidents and connected Mr. Nash to both burglaries. Detectives later determined Mr. Nash previously perpetrated a burglary at Little Lucharitos at 487 Main Road in Aquebogue.

Mr. Nash was charged with three counts of third degree burglary.

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Ostin Portillo Perdomo was driving east on Sound Avenue near Horton Avenue around 9:20 p.m. when his maroon Honda Civic left the roadway and crashed into a tree in front of 3059 Sound Ave., according to police.

The El Salvador-born teen was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The Riverhead Police Detective Squad is investigating the crash with assistance from the New York State Police Accident Reconstruction Team.

Police are asking anyone with information about the accident to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500, ext. 312.

A GoFundMe campaign launched by the teen’s family to help cover funeral expenses had raised nearly $8,200 of its $13,000 goal as of Monday afternoon. To donate, visit tinyurl.com/OstinPortilloPerdomo.

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While starting from a stop at a red light, police said, a northbound 2022 Kenworth commercial truck was traveling on Center Drive, just south of West Main Street, when it collided with Aiden Lomelle, who was riding a 2022 Honda motorcycle, and with a 2017 Honda sedan.

The preliminary police investigation determined Mr. Lomelle, of Whitestone, N.Y., changed lanes and stopped closely in front of the truck, right before the traffic light turned green and the truck began moving north toward West Main Street. The 2017 Honda sedan, which attempted to follow behind the motorcycle, was also hit.

Mr. Lomelle was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, where he succumbed to his injuries, the police department stated in its press release. The drivers of both the commercial truck and the sedan were uninjured, and the accident appeared to be non-criminal.

The accident is currently being investigated by the Riverhead Police Detective Squad, the New York State Police Accident Reconstruction Team and the New York State Police Motor Carrier Unit.

Law enforcement asks anyone with information to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500, ext. 312. West Main Street and Center Drive have reopened in both directions.

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The Riverhead Police Department said in a news alert that West Main Street is currently closed to traffic between Marcy Avenue and Osborn Avenue. Northbound lanes of Center Drive are also closed.

No further information was available from the police department at this time.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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The alleged incident happened around 5 p.m. at the Enterprise Park runway off Berman Boulevard in Calverton, according to a news release. Police said the individuals involved in the altercation “have been uncooperative.” Currently, no arrests have been made.

Peter Scalzo, founder of Race Track Not Street, said in a phone interview on Wednesday that a frequent racer and another man got into a verbal altercation, when another person “poked” the racer with a screwdriver. Mr. Scalzo said the racer is not pressing charges and did not require any medical attention.

He said the two individuals “have been having words for years,” and Mr. Scalzo read a text the racer sent to the other man that read “either we race, or we fight.”

Maree Moscati, Race Track Not Street‘s co-founder, addressed the “unfortunate incident” on the organization’s Facebook page on Tuesday. As a result of the alleged assault, Ms. Moscati said a police officer will patrol every drag strip event going forward. The co-founder said they plan to implement an additional licensed security team to monitor certain locations, the pits and spectator areas. There will also be increased lighting installed in the parking lot.

Mr. Scalzo said Riverhead Town insisted a police officer be stationed at the track during events, which will cost the business nearly $850 a day.

Due to these additional expenses, Ms. Moscati said ticket prices for both spectators and racers will be raised by $5 beginning later this week. All pre-purchased tickets will be honored.

Multiple events were also canceled because of the increased costs, including races scheduled for Aug. 31, Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 28, Oct. 5 and Oct. 18. Tickets purchased for these canceled dates can either be used for another event date or can be refunded.

The individuals involved in the incident are prohibited from the track, racing and spectating, Ms. Moscati wrote. She further stressed Drag Race Not Street does not allow alcohol or drugs on the premises, including in the staging, pits or tailgate areas. She added Race Track Not Street has “zero tolerance” for poor behavior and safety is the top priority for racers, fans and staff.

“We’ve never, after 25-plus years running drag strips had to have to write such a message — it is heart wrenching to do so now,” Ms. Moscati said on social media. “Our entire team fought very hard after 17 years to have a race track back in Long Island and because of 3-4 guys — they almost ruined it for everyone.”

Due to the popular racer being banned and rise of ticket prices, Mr. Scalzo said he predicts some of their fans may boycott Drag Race Not Street. However, he said the organization is going to continue to comply with whatever Riverhead Town requests.

“We’ve worked so hard to get approved here, everything has been going great, the town loves us,” Mr. Scalzo said. “We have wholesome family entertainment — everybody is so thrilled to have racing return to Long Island, and it only takes one or two jerks to ruin things.”

The investigation is ongoing, according to the police news release. Law enforcement asks if anyone witnessed the incident or has information pertaining to the case to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will be kept confidential.

This is a developing story.

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Three retail establishments were found not in compliance, according to a news release from the Riverhead Police Department. Those involved were charged and arrested with first-degree unlawful dealing with a child, which is a Class A misdemeanor:

• A 16-year-old juvenile and employee at the 7-Eleven located within the Peconic Plaza at 162 Old Country Road
• Ercan Simsek, 50, of Brookhaven and employee of Empire Gas at 640 Main Road
• Jaqueline Mejia Alverado, 20, of Riverhead and employee of Riverhead Supermarket & Deli at 945 West Main Street

All subjects were processed and released on desk appearance tickets with a future court date.

These are the following establishments found in compliance with the law:

• Sabor Deli Latino, 192 Old Country Road
• Empire Gas, 640 Main Road
• Speedway, 870 Old Country Road
• 7-Eleven, 1050 Old Country Road
• Valero, 1356 Old Country Road
• Bola Mobil, 1575 Old Country Road
• One Stop Smoke Shop, 1698 Old Country Road
• Sunocсо, 1879 Old Country Road

The Riverhead C.O.P.E. unit seeks to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors by being an active presence in the community. The group investigates and responds to community complaints of criminal activity. Riverhead CAP is a nonprofit volunteer program that addresses alcohol and drug-related issues within the Riverhead schools and community.

The Riverhead Police Department conducts compliance checks throughout the year. To confidentially report information on any suspicious or criminal activity, call the department’s crime hotline at 631-727-3333.

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Preparing for the worst is something area police hope will give them an edge in the event this national terror becomes a local reality. That hopeful solace was trained on Wednesday, Aug. 13, as 40 East End police officers participated in a school shooting drill at Southold Elementary School. 

Officers from Southold, Riverhead, Southampton, Shelter Island and Westhampton Beach police departments; Suffolk County Police Department; and other agencies were involved in the training.

The priorities, as communicated by Suffolk County Police Department officers running the drills, were to “stop the killing” before they can “stop the dying,” meaning they neutralize the threat first before tending to the wounded. 

The training included four drills where groups of roughly 10 police officers practiced clearing procedures, a scenario where a pair of officers sought out the “shooters” in the school and an emergency medicine run down for injured people using manikins.

Throughout the training, emergency services unit cops continuously reminded officers to practice their training as “perfect as possible” and keep as level a head they can in the situation. Points hammered into officers’ brains were not to shoot past their partners and keep their fingers off the trigger to avoid any civilian casualties. 

Suffolk County Police Department officers Andrew Fiorillo and Elisa McVeigh reviewed information about school shootings before the sessions started. Ms. McVeigh noted that the average active shooter incident lasts roughly 12 minutes, with more than half of them ending before officers get to the scene. 

“They don’t randomly walk into a school on a nice day like today,” Ms. McVeigh said of school shooters. “Can it happen? Absolutely. But these attacks are planned. They can take several months or up to a year to plan these attacks.”

Roughly 35 members of Southold Union Free School District attended the sessions, gaining insight about how police go through the schools in the worst case scenario. 

Mr. Fiorillo said that a shooter “has never breached an interior locked door” in an active shooter scenario. He urged teachers to identify their safe zones in rooms where they are out of the line of sight on their door windows. 

“’Do I need to move a file cabinet now? Do I need to desks now?’” Mr. Fiorillo asked teachers to think about. “’Do I need to pre-stage that area because I have kindergarteners there, and they need ditto sheets and they need lollipops and so forth?’” 

“We shouldn’t see you, we shouldn’t hear you and we should be able to keep moving forward,” he continued. Southold police have the sole ability to override locks during a school lock down.

Officers were cautioned against forming a “blue tsunami,” or flooding one entrance of the building without covering other exits. Ms. McVeigh gave the example of Commack High School in January 2024, where 37 police vehicles responded to a reported active shooter incident that turned out to be a false alarm. In that situation, she said that no officer covered the rear exits of the building, and the event served as a “lesson learned.”

This year was the year Southold Police Department hosted the training in town, having hosted it at Greenport schools in 2023 and at Mattituck schools in 2024. Ms. McVeigh said the drills are conducted throughout Suffolk County on a monthly basis in schools, places of worship and businesses during off hours.

Southold Police Chief Stephen Grattan said officers found the training “fantastic start to finish” this year.

“It’s an unfortunate reality of the society that we live in today, but this training certainly enhances our officers and their preparedness in the event something like this happens,” Chief Grattan said.

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Little ones and their families had the opportunity to sit in a fire truck, go inside an ambulance, see the inside of a Cybertruck and learn about local first responders and what they do. The Riverhead Police Department, Riverhead Fire Department, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance and the U.S. Army were all there to interact and answer questions.

The water park’s mascot, Splish, also made an appearance, checking out the vehicles for himself and taking some pictures.

“It’s more of a learning moment. We try to teach the kids that there’s nothing to be scared about if you have to, God forbid, go into the ambulance,” said Joseph Oliver, vice president of the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance. “And show them that going in the ambulance is not all about getting shots, and nothing to be scared of.”

Kids were able to sit behind the wheel of the Cybertruck and the fire truck, see all the bells and whistles they come with, pretend to drive them to the scene and get photos while doing so.

“It’s nice to go to events like this, where it’s all family-oriented,” said Mr. Oliver. “All of us have kids, so it’s nice to be able to link up like that.”

This year’s “Touch a Truck Day” marked the fifth annual installment, while the water park has been hosting its Hero Appreciation Week for over 20 years. Throughout the entire week, police officers, firefighters, first responders, military members (including active duty, retired and veterans), and doctors and nurses are all eligible for admissions discounts.

The discounted one-day tickets cost $45 for themselves and up to five additional guests, $30 off the standard price. To redeem the discount, those who apply can show their identification at the park’s main gate.

“The reason why Splish Splash has been doing this event is because it’s just a way for us to give back to our local community,” said Danielle Trombetta, Splish Splash’s director of marketing. “It’s also for our guests of all ages to interact with a police officer, someone from the fire department, an EMT or the Army, and it really helps them understand what they do.”

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., people lined up and walked over to check out the vehicles right outside the park’s main gate. They also had the chance to go up to the U.S. Army tent and do some push-ups for some prizes and swag.

“They can speak to our local heroes, and who knows, maybe later on in life, they will become a police officer or join the military,” said Ms. Trombetta. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

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