11:00 A. M.

PRESENT: Chairman: Darcy. Members: Wishnie, Mosiello, Stewart-Cousins. Staff: Dan Rodriguez, Assistant to the Chairman of the Board; Emilia Vita, Secretary to the Committee.

ALSO PRESENT: Louis D’Aliso, Commissioner of Public Safety Services.

Chairman Darcy opened the meeting at 11:10 a.m.

The second item for discussion was forwarded to this Committee for review on the recommendation by Minority Affairs Chairman, Clinton Young. Mr. Young forwarded a report of a bias incident that occurred in the Village of Dobbs Ferry on July Fourth. The incident involved an off-duty Peekskill Policewomen and her family who were harassed by a couple at the same park while picnicking.

Chairman Darcy said there is reason for concern with calls made to the County Police Department by the female officer and wanted the records to show that the department followed the proper procedures during the incident.

Commissioner D’Aliso said he pulled the tape from that day and the call made by Peekskill Police Officer, who stated she was being harassed in a Dobbs Ferry Park by a drunken Dobbs Ferry police officer. Prior to this call, the female officer placed a 911 call to the State Police requesting the County respond to the call. The Commissioner said it is not County Police policy to respond to this type of call and immediately called the Dobbs Ferry Police Department, related the incident, and a Dobbs Ferry police vehicle was immediately dispatched to the village park.

Chairman Darcy was satisfied that the response from the County was the proper procedure normally followed. He noted that this incident, being a highly sensitive issue and publicized in the newspapers, may lead to a potential lawsuit. Mr. Darcy said it may be beneficial to issue a press release stating that the Public Safety Committee has looked into the County’s involvement in the incident and is completely satisfied that the County Police followed procedures accordingly.

Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked what is the usual response of the County Police for such complaints and when does the County police get involved.

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Commissioner D’Aliso said whenever an incident occurs in a local jurisdiction, in this case, Dobbs Ferry, the local police department is called to take care of the matter. This particular complaint was a harassment call, not an emergency or major public disturbance whereas assistance would be needed by the County police, this was not apparent in this case and the complaint was referred to the Dobbs Ferry Police Department.

Commissioner D’Aliso explained that if a local police department calls for help, such as a routine call to stop a car on the parkway, the County responds "upon request". He also confirmed that his department received the call at 7:24 p.m. the day of the incident and a call was dispatched one minute later to the Dobbs Ferry Police department.

Chairman Darcy suggested that the tape of that night be kept on file, the Commissioner said the tape is on file with the Special Investigations Unit.

Chairman Darcy said the Commissioner and the Department should be commended for their efforts during this situation.

Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked if this particular call was unusual and the Commissioner said a harassment call is not unusual, a call about a drunken police officer is unusual.

Legislator Mosiello asked if it was unusual for a person to call a higher authority instead of the local police or was because the Officer did not what jurisdiction to call.

Commissioner D’Aliso said the female officer knew enough to know that the person harassing her was drunk and was not a police officer as he stated, this prompted her to call 911 on her cell phone, which dispatched to State Police and they transferred her to the County Police.

Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked if documentation of this incident was kept separately, the Commissioner said, although the tape is filed in SIU, the report is documented in the daily log.

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Legislator Darcy asked to clarify why the State Police was called. Commissioner D’Aliso explained that when the female officer dialed 911 from her cellular phone, it is automatically dispatched to State Police. State Police probably assumed she was at a County park and referred her to County police and why they did not call the local department was unclear in the report, the Commissioner said.

Chairman Darcy said, as nasty as the incident was, he was grateful there were no firearms involved and the Commissioner agreed and said there was no actual assault and no one was physically injured.

Legislator Wishnie asked if there were any arrests made, the Commissioner said the Dobbs Ferry police made an arrest and charges are pending.

Another issue Chairman Darcy asked Commissioner D’Aliso was his concern of the five police officer positions that have not been hired that were budgeted in 1997 and the overtime at the level that now served the department. The Commissioner said the department’s full compliment is 230 and is currently at 229. In the last month two officers were hired who replaced retirees.

Legislator Wishnie asked how the department was doing in overtime. The Commissioner said the department made a major commitment to the PGA Championship and that cost the department. The figures were not available to him at this time. He understood the PGA to reimburse a certain figure to the department, but he did not have the numbers. Legislator Darcy will request that information from the Budget Director.

Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked how this Committee will know if and when the department will fill the five positions. Chairman Darcy will request this information from the Administration and will also ask why the full compliment of the department is 230 now, and why, a few years ago the full compliment was higher.

Legislator Darcy does not want the department to be reported with too any officers on to much overtime, not from a money point of view, but from a physical point, he does not want tired officers out in the public. The Commissioner has regulations for the officers and they can not work more than a double shift within a 24 hour period with enough off hours in between.

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Chairman Darcy also complimented the Commissioner and his department with the recent drug seizures in the last. The Commissioner said the department seized approximately $7 million; 93 kilos; 4 cars and 4 people and he is very proud of his of his officer, they did an excellent job.

Legislator Wishnie said recently the State Legislature approved the Parkway Authority, which means our parkways will be manned and paid for, and asked the Commissioner if he knew any details. The Commissioner understood that the State will come in the first year with $2.65 million and the funding for parkway patrol was not certain as of yet, it is pending approval and signature from the Governor. The Legislator asked that the Commissioner to forward a summary of the legislation, it would be beneficial during budget season.

Chairman Darcy asked about further information regarding the Armory and the Commissioner said he has not heard anything over a month and reported that the firing range was shut down by the State. The Commissioner said it would be nice to have a range, but not if it’s not usable.

Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked if it would be possible for the Commissioner or his department to inform the Legislator of the district of a drug seizure in their area. Chairman Darcy said it was up to the Administration to inform a Legislator and the Commissioner said he is not obligated to notify the legislators and, usually, by the time he would finish, the incident would hit the early morning news or the morning papers.

The Chairman and the members thanked Commissioner for his time, information and expertise and offered their full support and commended him for an outstanding job.

The minutes of June 9th, June 23rd, July 22nd and July 14th were approved on the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Mosiello, all in favor, none opposed, motion carried 4-0.

Legislator Mosiello gave a brief description regarding his proposed legislation for the removal of snow and ice from motor vehicles, originally submitted to the Committee on Legislation. A constituent asked if something can be done with motorist who does not clean the snow and ice from their cars, which can be hazardous and dangerous.

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In the State of New Jersey, a person was seriously injured and they passed legislation that is similar to the Legislator’s request. Because it is part of the State Vehicle and Traffic Laws, Mr. Mosiello would like to call on the State Legislature to consider legislation that would protect all citizens from this type of incident.

Legislator Wishnie suggested this can be part of the next Legislative package or sent to the individual Legislator’s State representative. Mr. Mosiello also consider the possibility of a Resolution or by a letter from this Committee as a matter of public safety.

The Chairman suggested a letter from the Committee to out State representative an asked our colleagues to sign along.

At the next meeting, the members will review the State of New Jersey’s legislation.

The draft Resolution regarding EMSA contracts at the Department of Corrections will be held over until the next meeting in order for all members have the opportunity to review and discuss the new information provided by Deputy Commissioner Maccarone.