LI CRIME BRIEFS

ISLANDWIDE/Alert for sexual predators

Authorities in Nassau and Suffolk counties said Wednesday they are watching for the other ghouls of Halloween: sexual predators who prey on children out trick-or-treating on Monday.

Officials in Nassau said they are continuing Operation Safe Streets, begun in 2004, which includes having probation officers visit the homes of sex offenders to make sure they are complying with terms of their probation.

Officials in Suffolk said they were working with town and village police departments and other law-enforcement agencies to conduct visits to the homes of sex offenders "from now until Halloween," according to a news release.

"Parents are reminded to monitor their children's activity on Halloween and to discuss with them the safety precautions regarding trick or treating and their interaction with strangers," the Suffolk County Police Department said in a statement.

Officials also reminded parents that with daylight ending earlier, it will be harder for drivers to spot children later in the evening of Halloween.

-- WILLIAM MURPHY

SOUTHAMPTON/Student arrested for having gun

A Southampton High School senior was arrested Wednesday morning after an unloaded shotgun was retrieved from the floor of his car, parked on the school's campus, police and district officials said.

The unidentified 17-year-old boy was arrested and charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for having the 20-gauge single-shot Stoeger shotgun in his 2009 Jeep Wrangler, Southampton Village police said.

He was arraigned in Southampton Town Court and remanded to the Suffolk County jail on $10,000 bail.

The gun was discovered by security at the high school after the student was overheard talking about the weapon, school officials said.

A message emailed to parents from schools Superintendent J. Richard Boyes said the gun was not brought into the school building.

In a statement, Boyes said "no threats were made." The student was immediately suspended from school pending a hearing next week.

-- STACEY ALTHERR

LEVITTOWN/SUV sought in hit-and-run

Police Wednesday were searching for a dark-colored sport utility vehicle that struck a woman Tuesday night in Levittown and then fled.

The woman, whose identity has not been released, was taken to a hospital for treatment, Nassau County police said. Her condition was unavailable.

She was struck on Old Jerusalem Road near MacArthur High School at 8:47 p.m., police said. Police said the woman was crossing the road when she was hit by the westbound SUV. Police said anyone with information could call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.

-- JOHN VALENTI