White powder found at Suffolk DSS deemed 'non- hazardous' after authorities investigate

Multiple emergency service agencies responded Friday afternoon to the Suffolk County Department of Social Services building in Hauppauge, after white powder, later found to be of no danger, was discovered on a desk, police said.

“There was a white powder found on a desk, it was tested, it’s a non-hazardous substance,” Mike Martino, the spokesman for the county executive said at 2:53 p.m. He added that all employees still inside will be released from the building.

Martino said the substance was loose on a desk, but would not disclose who’s desk or where in the building it was found. 

People with appointments at DSS were turned away for the rest of the day and employees left the building at about 2:30 p.m. Police responded at 12:50 p.m.

More than a dozen members of the Hauppauge Fire Department, plus Suffolk police officers and members of the Central Islip-Hauppauge Volunteer Ambulance Corps. had responded to the social services facility at 400 Wireless Boulevard.

A police officer at the scene informed a handful of people waiting for an appointment to reapply for benefits that the facility would be closed for the remainder of the day.

At 2:30 p.m. DSS employees left the building.

Earlier, several Hauppauge firefighters climbed a ladder to reach the roof of the facility.

A Central Islip-Hauppauge ambulance backed into the facility’s driveway. A single stretcher was rolled to the rear of the building.

Acting Suffolk County Fire Commissioner Rudy Sunderman and the Town of Islip hazmat team had entered the scene as well.

With Vera Chinese