Kudos To Sandeep Dutta Of The Bear Patrol

LOCAL SCOUTING VOLUNTEER EARNS WOOD BADGE TRAINING AWARD 

Boy Scout Troop #125 (Commack) Assistant Scoutmaster  Sandeep Dutta of the Bear Patrol in Boy Scout Leader Training’s Wood Badge Course ## NST10-404-22 with  his Wood Badge Beads, neckerchief, woggle and certificate following presentations at Troop 125 (Commack)’s Court of Honor, held at the Suffolk Y-JCC on February 6, 2024.Sandeep Dutta of the Bear  Patrol was presented with his Wood Badge Beads, neckerchief, woggle and certificate in a special ceremony during the Troop 125(Commack)’s Court of Honor, held at the Suffolk Y-JCC on  February 6, 2024.  This recognition was the culmination of a combination “learning/hands-on applications” time management and Leadership training course that is available to its adult Scouting volunteer leaders by the Boy Scouts of America.

East Northport resident Mr. Dutta, is a scouting volunteer, serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 125  as well as other district and Suffolk County Council, BSA positions.  He participated in six days of outdoors sessions in Wood Badge Course # NST10-404-22 for the group participation/instructional section, held at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp in September 20222 and Schiff Scout Reservation in October 2022.  In order to complete the training, the Scouting volunteer leaders had to apply what they learned in a variety of self-directed goals (the practical part of the course) within 18 months, which was accomplished in August of 2023. This was the “Wood Badge for the 21st Century — a new and updated Wood Badge Course, which was in place since 2001”.

Boy Scout Mitchell Saffer Presented With Ner Tamid Emblem

 LOCAL SCOUT PRESENTED WITH BOY SCOUT JEWISH RELIGIOUS EMBLEM

Ner Tamid Emblem recipient First Clas Scout Mitchell Saffer of Troop 125 (Commack) The first eleven points of the Boy Scout Law must be demonstrated in order to go from one rank to the next, including Eagle.  The 12th point —“A Scout is Reverent”— “— can be demonstrated in a variety of ways including the earning of the religious award of the Scout’s individual faith.

As with all the religious emblems, these are not an award for Scouting skills, but rather an emblem authorized by the Boy Scouts of America to be worn on the Scout’s uniform after satisfactory completion of the necessary requirements.  The Ner Tamid Award, earned by Jewish Boy Scouts, is not an award for Scouting skills but rather an emblem authorized by the Boy Scouts of America to be worn on the Scout’s uniform after satisfactory completion of the necessary requirements.  This award, earned by Jewish Boy Scout 11 to 18, requires study concerned with home observance, synagogue worship, Jewish study, the American Jewish community, world Jewry, and a service project.

In observance of the 12^th point of the Scout Law, Commack resident First Class Scout Mitchell Saffer of Troop 125 (Commack) was presented with the Ner Tamid Emblem on February 6, 2024 at Boy Scout Troop 125’s Winter Court of Honor by Jewish Committee on Scouting’s PR Chair and Troop 125 Committee Member Phyllis Stein. The presentation was held at the Suffolk Y-Jewish Community Center (Commack), the troop’s charter organization  Scout Mitchell Saffer  was presented with a medal, certificate, and the special purple and silver “scouting religious emblem knot” that is sewn onto his uniform. 

Boy Scout Mitchell Saffer is the son of Jack and Alyssa Saffer of Commack and older brother of Ella (a member of Cadette Girl Scout Troop 1986, Commack).

PSEG Warns Public About Utility Worker Scam

PSEG Long Island Urges Customers to Know What to Do if Visited by Someone Dressed as a Utility Worker

PSEG Long Island employees will never insist and in most cases do not need to come inside

(UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Feb. 9, 2024) In light of a recent home invasion incident in Nassau County involving robbers dressed as utility workers, PSEG Long Island urges customers to know what its employees look like and what they typically do when making visits to a home.

“The safety of customers and employees is our top priority at PSEG Long Island,” said Lou Debrino, vice president of Customer Operations for PSEG Long Island. “In most cases, PSEG Long Island employees do not need to come inside your home to perform their work. Most meters are located outside, as is most of the electric equipment our company maintains. Our employees always wear their PSEG Long Island ID cards. Never open the door if you have any suspicion that the person knocking is not a legitimate PSEG Long Island employee.”

In-person visits

Occasionally, scammers may go door to door impersonating PSEG Long Island employees, flashing a fake ID and/or claiming to be a utility collection representative. The impostors may wear “uniforms” or affix false company signs to their vehicles. The scammers generally ask for personal information, which real utility representatives do not do, or offer bogus discounts.

PSEG Long Island employees must carry a company ID and present it when requested. If customers have doubts, they should not open the door. An actual PSEG Long Island employee will respect the customer’s decision and remain outside. If the person escalates their efforts to enter the home, customers should consider calling 911.

Phone scammers

Scammers are still using phone calls to target homes and businesses on Long Island and in the Rockaways, impersonating PSEG Long Island and area utilities and demanding immediate payment for supposed unpaid bills. PSEG Long Island reminds customers do the right thing if confronted with a demand for payment and a threat of imminent shutoff: Get the truth from real PSEG Long Island representatives at 1-800-490-0025.

Many of these scammers demand immediate payment via web-based electronic payment services. PSEG Long Island does not accept external, web-based electronic payment services (outside of payments through My Account) as a method of payment.

What customers should know about payment scams

• Scammers impersonating PSEG Long Island most frequently threaten to shut off power immediately unless payment is made.
• Many scammers use phone “spoofing” technology to make their number display on your phone as “PSEG Long Island.”
• PSEG Long Island will never request that customers use one specific method of payment.
• Scammers typically want their victims to transfer money via a web-based electronic payment service, a prepaid debit card, or even Bitcoin, sometimes asking people to buy a prepaid card at the nearest convenience store and then to read them the PIN over the phone.
• PSEG Long Island does not accept web-based electronic payment services, prepaid debit cards or Bitcoin as payment.
• Sometimes phone scammers will demand a deposit for a priority meter installation. PSEG Long Island does not require a deposit for meter installations.
• If a customer has doubts about the legitimacy of a call or an email — especially one in which payment is requested — they should call the company directly at 1-800-490-0025. 

Fake websites

Some scammers purchase web domains that closely resemble the actual URL of a utility and create a fraudulent replica of the legitimate website. Their plan is to dupe users who click on these fake sites via search results, or type in an inaccurate web address. Once on the spoofed site, a visitor is presented a number of bill payment options, all pointing back to an outside bill pay site.

PSEG Long Island always uses the “.com” domain. Its real website, including PSEG Long Island-hosted online payment options, can be found at psegliny.com.

Other scammers contact customers, claim to be with PSEG Long Island, demand payment and then instruct their victims to pay by scanning a QR code they send. Customers should remember that PSEG Long Island will never request that customers use one specific method of payment, and does not accept web-based electronic payment services, prepaid debit cards or Bitcoin as payment.

How actual PSEG Long Island reps handle phone calls

Customers should also know what PSEG Long Island will and won’t discuss over the phone. A genuine PSEG Long Island representative will ask to speak to the customer of record. If that person is available, the representative will explain why they are calling and provide the account name, address and current balance. If the person on the phone does not provide the correct information, it is likely the customer is not speaking with a PSEG Long Island representative. 

If the customer of record is not available, the PSEG Long Island representative will not discuss the account and ask that a message be left for the customer of record to call 1-800-490-0025.

PSEG Long Island is a member of the Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) collaborative. UUAS, a consortium of more than 150 U.S. and Canadian electric, water, and natural gas utilities and their respective trade associations, continues to raise customer awareness of common scams and new scam tactics used by utility impostors. Through its work and with the help of customer reporting, UUAS has successfully helped to take more than 14,020 toll-free numbers used by scammers against utility customers out of operation.

For more information on various payment scams reported in the PSEG Long Island service area and around the country, visit psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/scamsandfraud.

DEC Announces Youth Hunter Safety Courses April 20 And 21

Hunter Safety Courses Offered April 20 and 21 for Youth 12 to 16 Years Old

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Long Island Regional Director Cathy Haas today announced that DEC’s Hunter Education unit is offering a two-day program on youth hunting safety on April 20 and 21. These hands-on courses are part of the State’s Youth Conservation Program designed to introduce students between the ages of 12 and 16 to the basic principles of conservation, hunter education, and general outdoorsmanship.

“Generations of young people were introduced to conservation and hunting ethics through their participation in the Youth Conservation Program,” Director Haas said. “By starting young people early in this program, DEC is building a conservation ethic that will remain with them throughout their lives and grows the next generation of responsible hunters and stewards of Long Island’s wildlife populations.”

The course will take place on April 20 and 21 at the Peconic River Sportsman’s Club in Manorville and is open to youth who have not yet taken their Hunter Education course. Applications must be returned by April 1 and can be found on DEC’s Hunter Education Program webpage under the “Long Island Youth Conservation Program” section.

This class is limited to 35 participants. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive their Hunter Education Training Certificate. This certificate is required to purchase a hunting license.

The Youth Conservation Program is part of the New York Open for Hunting and Fishing initiative. Since 1994, DEC’s Hunter Education Program, the New York State Conservation Officers Association, and the Peconic River Sportsman’s Club have sponsored this regional hunter safety event. The Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative is an effort to improve recreational activities for in-state and out-of-state sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism opportunities throughout the state. It includes the streamlining of hunting and fishing licensing and reducing license fees, improved access for fishing at various sites across the state, and increasing hunting opportunities in various regions.

For more information or to register for the Youth Conservation Program, contact the DEC Hunter Education Office by phone at (631) 444-0255 or email.

https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases

Scouts Participate In Scout Sabbath And Scout Sunday Services In Hauppauge

Scouts Participate in Scout Sabbath and Scout Sunday Services in Hauppauge  

On Scout Sunday (held on February 4, 2024) at St. Thomas More RC Church in Hauppauge Fr Antony Asir blessed the Scouts during the Celebration of the Mass, including scouting members of Hauppauge’s Boy Scout Troop 343, Boy Scout Troop 214, Cub Scout Pack 589 and their adult volunteer leaders were photographed. (photo courtesy of Boy Scout Troop 34A Scout is Reverent…Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts and their adult scouting volunteer leaders participated in the Scout Sabbath via zoom on February 2, 2024 at Temple Beth Chai of Hauppauge and in the celebration of the Scout Sunday Mass held at St. Thomas More R.C. Church in Hauppauge on February 4,2024  at  St. Thomas More R.C. Church Hauppauge. 

St. Thomas More R.C. Church (which sponsors Boy Scout Troop 343) was one of the Matinecock District (Scouts BSA)’s Host Churches for the Catholic Faith during the start of National Boy Scout Week and Temple Beth Chai of Hauppauge was one of the four area temples to host (either via zoom or hybrid with “in person” services). In addition to the volunteer uniformed Scouting Leaders, the members of the local Boy Scout Troops, Cub Scout Packs, and Brownie and Girl Scouts participated in and attended the Mass.  Father Antony Asir, who was the Celebrant for the Mass, blessed the Scouts and their leaders during the service. There were scouts from across the nation that participated via zoom connections at Temple Beth Chai as Rabbi Alan Stein led the Jewish Sabbath services.

As the Boy Scouts of America celebrate their 114^th year of serving youths, local Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Venture Crews, and Explorers attended and participated in the annual “A Scout is Reverent” recognitions during the Scout Sunday Services at various local Catholic and Protestant Churches and at the Jewish Scout Sabbath services  held locally at area temples and synagogues during the month of February.