Brookhaven Quality of Life Task Force Increases Fines in 2010

Brookhaven's Quality of Life Task Force broke 2009's track record of fines, by raking in $900,000 compared to $468,000 a year ago.

According to the town, in June of 2009 when the task force was created through December 2009 fines levied increased by 170 percent compared to the same time period in 2008. Fines are levied through tickets issued to property owners with properties that have seriously unsafe or hazardous conditions.

"The Quality of Life Task Force continues to touch all corners of Brookhaven by rooting out residential blight in our communities, cleaning up thousands of pounds of junk and litter, and putting suburban slumlords out of business," said Supervisor Mark Lesko. "Next year, we will pursue quality of life offenders with even more intensity and continue to prosecute their violations to the fullest extent of the law."

Here's a look at some of the Quality of Life Task Force cases from the Sachem area in 2010:

• : Tiki Hookah Bar shut down due to fire violations, owner arrested for possession of a weapon
• : Arrest of owner for unlawful STAR exemption claims and tickets issued for an illegal two-family dwelling