Suffolk Sheriff Reports 1,044 Summonses, 57 Arrests From Ghost Plate Task Force

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office announced that, since joining a multi‑agency Ghost Plate Task Force in August 2025, deputies issued 1,044 summonses, made 57 arrests and impounded 20 vehicles as part of a six‑month crackdown on fraudulent and deceptive license plates. Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. framed the operation as a public safety effort to prevent drivers from hiding identities and evading detection.

“Illegal ‘ghost’ plates and other deceptive practices pose a serious threat to public safety and will not be tolerated in Suffolk County,” Toulon said. “These tools are often used to conceal a driver’s identity, evade detection, and facilitate dangerous criminal activity. The Suffolk Sheriff’s Office is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to crack down on fraudulent plates, illegal plate covers, illegal window tints, and related violations — sending a clear message that criminals cannot hide from us.”

Suffolk Sheriff’s Office materials state that the task force includes “more than a dozen” partner agencies, with named partners including the New York Police Department, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police, Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, and the New York City Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office issued the enforcement totals in a February 5, 2026 release; some media reports rounded the arrest total to “nearly 60,” but the office’s figure is 57 arrests. The office also reported that four warrants were cleared during the enforcement period.

SCSO press materials and local reporting list a range of offenses targeted by the task force, such as aggravated unlicensed operation in various degrees, criminal possession of a forged instrument, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a weapon, driving while intoxicated and aggravated DWI, driving while ability impaired by drugs, and criminal contempt. The sheriff’s office did not provide a charge‑by‑charge breakdown tying each arrest to specific statutes in the February release.

The sheriff’s office separately reported a January enforcement action in which deputies recovered two non‑serialized firearms. “Deputy Sheriffs recovered two non-serialized firearms, commonly referred to as ‘ghost guns,’ during two separate incidents on the same day in January. One firearm was recovered during the execution of an eviction,” the office said in a January 21 release. That firearms announcement is treated by SCSO as a separate matter from the Ghost Plate Task Force announcement, though both use the informal “ghost” label.

For Suffolk residents, the operation underscores an increased enforcement focus on vehicle identification and compliance with plate and tint laws on local roads and thoroughfares. Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. said the office will continue to participate in the task force to enhance roadway safety and hold violators accountable. Motorists who have questions about compliance or want more detail on the operation can contact the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Office: Vicki DiStefano, Public Information Officer, office phone 631-852-3436.

The sheriff’s announcement signals that interagency enforcement on Long Island will stay active; residents should expect ongoing patrols and the potential for further summonses or impounds as the task force continues its work.