Sheriff Errol Toulon is seeking reelection on the Democrat and Conservative lines, and as we can see there is no need for him to be replaced. As the first African American Suffolk County Sheriff, and the 67th to take office, he has a stellar 30-year record of experience, one that includes backing the police, protecting the community and creating programs that strengthen the community-law enforcement relationship.
Toulon has been vocal against the very destructive bail reform laws which have made our communities less safe. He strongly opposes defunding the police and not only advocates for more training, but in leading a nationally accredited agency has improved upon in-service training for Officers and Staff. The Sheriff has also expanded community-based programs to foster positive interactions with law enforcement. He created a Community Advisory Board which meets monthly to give residents an opportunity to discuss topics of interest and concern, be a conduit for information to local communities, and provide input on Sheriff’s initiatives and policies relating to the Office.
Building on his experience supervising Rikers Island units, Sheriff Toulon has implemented additional mentoring and educational programs with the Correctional facilities. He established a “senior” pod within the facility to protect the elderly inmate population and expanded the START (Sheriff’s Transition and Re-entry Team) Resource Center to offer practical transitional services for people leaving the county jail, including employment assistance, connections to housing, treatment and mental healthcare, clothing, food, pandemic advice, and much more.
Sheriff Toulon has a record of working cooperatively with prosecutors and local/state/federal law enforcement agencies at all levels of government and even other countries to crack down on gang violence. In 2018, Toulon’s administration teamed up with the El Salvadorian government to combat MS-13 and other street gangs.
This partnership allowed information and resource-sharing that created a collaborating network to combat gang violence on Long Island.
Human trafficking is very often linked to the sex trade. In recent years Long Island has been identified as a hotspot in the country for human trafficking, yet Albany lawmakers continue to ponder measures to decriminalize the sex trade. Toulon has expressed his discontent with these considerations, claiming they would likely increase the demand for sex workers and consequently increase the rate of human trafficking. Toulon has met this threat head on by advocating against human trafficking and working to stop the changes to state law. He has expanded the human trafficking unit and continues to work with law enforcement agencies and victim advocacy groups to protect our women and children. In 2018 he started the Sheriff’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative (SATI), the first unit of its kind in a county jail focused on identifying victims, connecting them with services, and building cases against traffickers. As of this past June, the unit has conducted more than 2,300 inmate interviews, identifying 198 human trafficking victims and 129 perpetrators. This has led to more than 500 victim referrals for services.
Toulon has coordinated with relevant agencies, nonprofit organizations, foreign governments, and the community to serve and protect all residents of Suffolk County.
The Messenger Papers endorses Sheriff Errol Toulon for re-election as Suffolk County Sheriff.
