Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison today announced a joint enforcement operation in partnership with Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr., New York State Police and New York State Park Police to target drivers with improper or fraudulent license plates and vehicle registrations. During the first day of the joint enforcement operation, more than 100 summonses were issued to drivers for illegal or fraudulent license plates.

 

Individuals involved in criminal activities frequently use fraudulent temporary vehicle registrations, paper and improper license plates, or damaged and obscured plates in an attempt to avoid law enforcement. To combat the practice, each agency will continue with individualized enforcement plans this week.

 

In addition to narcotics trafficking, obscured or fake license plates are often associated with insurance fraud and identity theft, stolen vehicles and to avoid red light camera summonses. These types of plates also make it difficult for witnesses of crashes and other crimes to properly identify those at fault.

 

Officers from all four agencies issued a combined 113 Uniformed Traffic Tickets, impounded eight vehicles for verification of ownership, seized 16 license plates, and arrested two people for Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 3rd Degree and two people for Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree.

 

“The Suffolk County Police Department Highway Patrol Bureau has been proactive in identifying vehicles with illegal license plates and vehicle registrations during this targeted enforcement campaign and we will continue this campaign in the seven precincts going forward,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison. “The officers’ efforts will ensure criminals will not only be held accountable, but will no longer be able to hide their nefarious activities behind difficult to trace vehicles and license plates.”

 

“Our number one priority is to keep our residents safe – which goes hand-in-hand with keeping our roadways safe. The joint enforcement operation to target individuals utilizing fraudulent or obscured license plates not only keeps dangerous, unauthorized vehicles off the roadways, but penalizes the individuals using these methods.  Thank you to our Deputy Sheriffs and local partners in law enforcement for banding together to crack down on illegal license plates and registrations to maintain public safety on our streets and ultimately in our communities,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr.

 

“I commend Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr. and the New York State Park Police for their partnership and collaboration in this operation. We will not tolerate those who use fraudulent license plates to try and hide their illegal activity. We will continue to be vigilant and ensure these bad actors are held accountable,” said New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen.

“The New York State Park Police are committed partners in this joint enforcement operation to ensure that criminals will not be able to hide behind illegal or fraudulent license plates and vehicle registrations. Enforcement of proper vehicle registration documentation makes the roads safer for everyone,” said New York State Park Police Captain Rishinand Basdeo.

 

If you know someone who is knowingly using an illegal plate, call Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.