THEY CAN RUN, BUT THEY CAN’T HIDE (New magazine to publish info on Long Island fugitives)

A monthly publication called the Long Island Fugitive Finder was formally launched on Monday, January 8.  The magazine, published by D & S Advertising of Coram, will be woking with the Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to profile those on the run for a variety of crimes ranging from murder to failure to appear.  It's my pleasure to support the introduction of a new publication called the Long Island Fugitive Finder, said Suffolk County Legislator Dan Losquadro (R-Shoreham), which will be a publication dedicated to helping the Suffolk County Crime Stoppers identify and apprehend fugitives from justice.  Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law, applauded the magazine's creation.  She said it would help keep communities abreast of sex offenders who violate registration requirements and go on the run.  Information is power and I think that Megan's Law has demonstrated that.  It's provided community members an opportunity to be made aware of those individuals who have been caught and convicted to that we can protect ourselves and our children from those we know pose a risk to public safety, Ahearn said.  But what happens when an offender absconds is the community doesn't have information anymore.  We're very supportive of this program most especially because the person that they chose for the cove is somebody that we've had on our radar screen for many years now.  Michael Galgano, the fugitive whose mug shot graces the magazine's first front page, has a dangerous past.  In 1989, he was twice convicted of luring women from lounges and then raping, beating and leaving them for dead, said Ahearn.  When a third woman and her friend rebuffed his advances, he followed and fired a gun at them.  He has served 10 years in the California prison system for the attacks.  He is now wanted by Suffolk and California authorities, who say he failed to register a change of address as required of sex offenders.  His last known address was in Port Jefferson Station.  On September 11, 2001, Galgano was arrested for menacing two people while waiting to donate blood in Manhattan, Ahearn said, but because computer systems were down [due to the terrorists attacks], he was not kept in custody and he absconded.  For the community to become part of this process is really crucial, Ahearn said.  Collaboration between the law enforcement, and the public have demonstrated that the community can become the eyes and ears for law enforcement.  Crime Stoppers, for example, they've since 1994 had 5,700 cases open, 1,092 arrests that's for 26 homicides they've recovered a half million dollars in property, $300,000 in narcotics seized, $100,000 in vehicles and 100 warranted cleared.  A warrant cleared when it comes to a sexual predator means the community is safer.  the Fugitive Finder lists information and photos for 12 other wanted criminals.  The list of offense ranges from drugs and narcotics charges to sexual assault to arson.

(New York)