Acting Suffolk Police Commissioner Robert Waring says a major priority for him is working with other agencies to combat crime - and solve cases like the Gilgo Beach murders.

In Suffolk County, statistics show that violent crime was up 6.3% in 2023 compared to the year prior. Murders were down 3.7%, and property crime went down slightly at 1.1%.

“So far this year, we have started well, we are down crimes and shootings are down, robberies are down almost 40% or 50%," says Waring.

Waring says one concerning issue is traffic accidents that increase in the summer months. From May to August 2023, there were 35 fatal motor vehicle crashes in Suffolk.

Waring plans to add additional personnel to the highway, specifically for traffic enforcement in the summer months.

When asked if he is concerned at all about the bail reform laws, he said in some ways there is frustration, there should be some level of reasonableness when it comes to that, there are smart judges out there.