AUGUST 2021 NEWSLETTER

	Welcome to the August 2021 issue of the Huntington Anti-Bias Taskforce (HABTF) Newsletter. The HABTF is a non-partisan group formed by the Town of Huntington in conjunction with the Suffolk County Anti-Bias Task Force. It is made up of concerned clergy, community representatives and lay persons who work together to address the issue of intolerance, prejudice, discrimination and racism in any segment of our Town. We've been meeting monthly since January 2019 and have accomplished quite a lot. Upcoming meetings are 1 PM Wed Sept 22 and Oct Oct 27 (4th Wed). Check out some of our projects below. For more info about HABTF, click www.huntingtonny.gov/abtf. For a list of resources, click Resource List. If you have any comments or suggestions, e-mail Carmen Kasper, Director of Human Services, at ckasper@huntingtonny.gov Click here to read HABTF June 2021 Newsletter Click here to read HABTF Apr 2021 Newsletter Click here to read HABTF Feb 2021 Newsletter Click here to read HABTF Nov 2020 Newsletter Click here to read HABTF Sept 2020 Newsletter
2nd Precinct SCPD Report
	By Inspector William Scrima During the months of May, June, and July there were five significant incidents in The Second Precinct that were reported to have elements of bias: On May 29, a teenager, while in the Walt Whitman Mall, was harassed by a group of teens, who used slurs based on the victim's religious appearance. The victim was punched in the face by one of the teens. A juvenile was arrested and charged with Aggravated Harassment Second Degree. On June 9, several words, including racial and religious slurs, were discovered to have been etched into playground equipment at St. Peter's Church 11 Ogden Ct Huntington. Hate Crimes Unit is investigating. On June 20, a swastika, which appeared to be chemically burned into the grass, was discovered at Crescent Beach Town Park. Hate Crimes Unit is investigating. On June 27, graffiti, which included racial slurs, was discovered on a retaining wall at 127a East Neck Rd. Huntington. Hate Crimes Unit is investigating. On June 27, swastikas were discovered to have been painted on a basketball court at Rivendell Ct in Melville. Hate Crimes Unit is investigating. Click here to learn about the Civilian Police Academy -- an award winning educational program where Suffolk County residents receive specialized training. Click here to check out 2nd Precinct News on Twitter Click here to check out Aug 14 Car Seat Safety event For more information, please visit the department Website at www.suffolkpd.org. back to top
Huntington 10th Annual Anne Frank Memorial Garden Ceremony
	Melville –- Co-hosts Huntington Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci and Suffolk County Legislator Susan A. Berland were joined by Deputy Supervisor, Councilman Ed Smyth, Rabbi Howard Buechler of the Dix Hills Jewish Center, Rabbi Orrin Krublit of the South Huntington Jewish Center, Commander Harry Arlin and members of Jewish War Veterans Post #488, and guest speaker Rachel Epstein, a Holocaust survivor, at the Town of Huntington’s 10th Annual Anne Frank Memorial Ceremony on Sunday, July 11 in the Anne Frank Memorial Garden at Arboretum Park. Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci stated, “While we all come from different backgrounds and walks of life, we can all relate to the humanity and innocence of Anne Frank’s writings, which remind us that in a world filled with light, there is opportunity for evil to trespass against us. Despite our differences, we must stand together as we do, united in the Town of Huntington, as one people, one community, in the face of evil and those who seek to divide us.” Click here to read more > > back to top
Huntington Anti-Bias Concert
	by Kevin Thorbourne On Aug 21, 2021, please join us for a FREE concert to raise awareness of bias and support inclusivity in our town. The Huntington Anti-Bias Concert will feature some of the best talent from each of the 9 Town of Huntington High Schools and will also involve your favorite local businesses! Join us at Hecksher Park from 1PM to 4 PM to watch our community come together and watch our most talented students put on a show that will be the talk of the town! There will be raffles, snacks and more! All proceeds will go to the Tri CYA and the Huntington Anti-Bias Task Force (including the African American, Asian American and Hispanic Advisory Task Forces). The Tri Community and Youth Agency (Tri CYA) is a private, not-for-profit community-based agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of youth and their families in the communities of Huntington, South Huntington and Cold Spring Harbor. For more than 40 years, they have provided a broad range of educational, recreational, social, cultural, athletic, counseling and advocacy programs. Click here to read more > > back to top
Parents for DEI Long Island
	by David Pinkowitz Parents for DEI Long Island is a bipartisan organization that is actively seeking community members from every town on Long Island who want to be hands on in the mission to support a meaningful discussion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in their community. Check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/parentsfordeili Click here to read more > > back to top
LGBTQIA+ on Long Island
	by Elisa Waters While there have been many forward strides for the LGBTQIA+ community, there is still more work to be done to continue to ensure an inclusive climate and policies to support and protect LGBTQIA+ members of our community. Some immediate steps could include the presence of GSA Clubs in K-12 schools, all-gender restrooms in schools and public spaces, inclusion of gender pronouns on town forms and nametags, representation of historic LGBTQIA+ events and current day celebrations, and the celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride not just during the month of June, but throughout the year in the town of Huntington. Below is a link to some resources. If you are interested in offering LGBTQIA+ sensitivity and awareness training at your school or business, please reach out to Elisa Waters, LMSW, at elisa.waters@gmail.com Click here to learn more > > back to top
Huntington Town Task Forces and Committees
	by Carmen Kasper The Town of Huntington has established several task forces that have been created to advise the Town Board on matters that are specific to the section of the community the Task Force or Committee represents or works with. The Town of Huntington Department of Human Services functions as the connection between the Town and the Task Forces or Committees. It works with and supports all Task Forces or Committees in their efforts and initiatives. The following are the six (6) Task Forces and Committees the Human Services Department works with: (1) Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) -- People with Disabilities This committee was established on August 24, 1976 through Resolution #37. It is celebrating its 45 year anniversary this August. The Town Supervisor will present them with a Proclamation at the August 2021 Town Board meeting. Click here to read more > > back to top