Crime & Safety

Local Businesses Team Up to Increase Security Using DNA

Applied DNA Sciences and Gold Coast Bank partner to make the bank a safer place to do business.

Bank robbers beware: even if you're wearing a Darth Vadar mask, you're going to have a harder time robbing Gold Coast Bank in Setauket.

That's because Gold Coast has partnered with Stony Brook-based Applied DNA Sciences Inc. to install the Sentry 500 Intruder Spray System, which sends a spray of unique botanical DNA markers that will legally link the thief to the scene of the crime. In addition, Gold Coast Bank will be using Applied DNA's DNAnet technology to mark stolen cash.

Gold Coast Bank president Joseph Perri said the bank, which also has locations in Islandia and Huntington, has not had a problem with crime, and wants to keep it that way.

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"As a local, customer-friendly bank, we want our patrons and employees to feel completely safe at our locations," Perri said. "We feel confident that the SmartDNA system will be a formidable barrier to criminals and places us at the cutting edge of bank security."

Applied DNA said in a statement the Sentry 500 Intruder Spray System has been used with success in Sweden. It can be activated with a panic button or incorporated into the bank's own alarm system. According to Applied DNA, the company is also working with police agencies to protect cargo, logistics systems and other components of law enforcement, and the system can also be used to protect pharmacies in the wake of increasing prescription drug-motivated robberies.

Find out what's happening in Three Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"In law enforcement, police often suspect strongly who the thieves are, but may not have definitive evidence to convict them or link them to the crime," said James Hayward, CEO of Applied DNA, in a statement. "SmartDNA is becoming that link."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.