Town Antes Up For ATVs With Asset Forfeiture Funds

Sometimes, crime does pay —and good guys do finish first.

At least in Riverhead, where the town recently purchased all-terrain vehicles for beach patrols, as well as a shed to store them in.

According to Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota, the purchase was made possible due to asset forfeiture funds secured by the DA's office.

Spota met with Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter and members of the town board on Tuesday morning on Iron Pier Beach in Riverhead to show off the new equipment.

Asset forfeiture funds, Spota said, are financial proceeds from crimes confiscated from convicted criminals, as directed by law. Spota administers the equitable dispersal of asset forfeiture dollars to law enforcement agencies across Suffolk County. 

The asset forfeiture unit of the district attorney’s office is also responsible for commencing civil court actions to recoup the proceeds resulting from criminal activity.

Past allocations of the funding by Spota have been used in Riverhead to buy and train K-9 units.

In addition, Spota has also provided asset forfeiture funds annually to the Council for Unity, an anti-gang, violence prevention program aimed at promotion peaceful conflict resolution at Riverhead High School.