Medford pharmacy murders spur task force

When four people were shot and killed during a drug theft at an independent pharmacy in Medford on Father's Day, Brendan Healy of Garden City was as horrified as anyone else. But Healy was able to do something to help prevent crimes at pharmacies.

Healy, executive director of the Long Island chapter of InfraGard, a national nonprofit that serves as a link between businesses and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has formed the Long Island Pharmacy Crime Task Force, made up of retail chain drugstores -- including Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreen's -- Nassau and Suffolk police officials and InfraGard representatives.

The task force has met twice so far and plans other meetings. Members read reports of armed robberies at drugstores and try to spot trends in the incidents that might aid in alerting local retail stores about the crimes.

Healy said the task force is the first to put together drug retailers, law enforcement and private businesses to tackle the crime problem. The meetings were held at Rite Aid's Melville offices. He declined to say what specific matters were discussed at the meetings, but said "control and countermeasures" were later put in place.

Nassau police chief Steven Skrynecki said the department already works with banks and that it made "perfect sense" to work also with pharmacies. "We have recognized an upswing in the illegal use of pharmaceutical drugs," Skrynecki said.

"We all work together and look at the trends and try to get ahead of the curve," Healy said.

Suffolk police deputy inspector Gerard McCarthy said all of the members thought some type of action needed to be taken after the Medford shootings.

"I would say that was the catalyst for the group forming," McCarthy said.