Public Safety
Joe supports stronger tools for law enforcement and courts and emphasizes support for first responders.
Meet Joe
A Lifetime of Community Service
Joe DeStefano was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2018 and represents Assembly District 3. His public-service background includes the Medford Fire Department, Medford Volunteer Ambulance, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office and local civic and fire-district organizations.
Priorities
Current Policy Areas
Joe focuses on public safety, affordability, local control and taxpayer accountability.
Affordability
Joe focuses on taxes, utility costs, state spending and household costs on Long Island.
Local Control
DeStefano has publicly supported local authority over land-use, zoning and development decisions.
Taxpayer Accountability
Joe highlights fiscal oversight, responsible government spending and stronger enforcement against fraud and waste.
Record of Service
Public Service Before Albany
DeStefano's biography describes decades of service in emergency response, public-safety communications and community organizations.
Medford Fire DepartmentPublic service beginning in 1980.
Medford Volunteer AmbulanceLong-term emergency medical service involvement.
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office27 years as a Public Safety Communication Supervisor.
Community LeadershipRoles with civic, fire-district and public-employee organizations.
In the Assembly
Issues & Legislative Work
Energy Costs
DeStefano has called for changes to state energy policy and has cited rising utility costs and grid reliability.
Emergency Services
Joe supports volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel and emergency dispatchers.
Public Safety
He has advocated changes to New York's criminal-justice policies and greater discretion for judges and prosecutors.
Government Oversight
Joe has supported legislation intended to strengthen Medicaid-fraud reporting and enforcement.
Local Control
He supported Brookhaven's authority to consider its own data-center moratorium while opposing a statewide moratorium.
Updates
Latest News
September 20, 2026
Latest News
Health Fair Brings Free Services to Shirley
Free screenings, family activities and community resources draw residents to Shirley event. Families across Shirley turned out Saturday for a Community Health Fair that…
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September 20, 2026
Latest News
Local Control Urged For Broadband Expansion
Despite billions of dollars committed to expanding broadband, New York still has significant gaps in high-speed internet service, prompting Assembly Republicans to renew their…
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September 20, 2026
Latest News
DeStefano Blows Federal Whistle On New York Fraud Case
Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano has escalated his push for an investigation into the Seneca Babcock Community Association by filing a formal whistleblower complaint through President…
Read Article →Endorsements
Coalition of Suffolk Police Unions
New York State Troopers
Uniformed Fire Fighters Association of Greater New York
Suffolk County Correction Officers Association
Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees
Connect
Get Involved
Contact Joe’s team for information about volunteering, petitions, yard signs, events or other ways to get involved.