*M I N U T E S

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE

MONDAY, JULY 26, 1999

9:00 A.M.

 

 

PRESENT:  Chair:  Ryan.  Members:  Kaplowitz, Mosiello, Swanson, and Wishnie.  Staff:  Hoch, Vita.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Bill Randolph, County Executive Liaison.  Graduated License Proposal Group:  Linda Sage, Christie Simels, Harriet Libov; Anne Bentzen; Chris Hugenot.  Probation Officers Association:  Jim O’Shea; Jim Cannon; George Hosey, Chairman-CBAC.

 

Mr. Ryan called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.

 

Following a letter received by Mrs. Linda Sage, Mr. Ryan asked the group of concerned parents to discuss their proposal for graduated driving licenses to the members of the Public Safety Committee.

 

GRADUATED DRIVING LICENSE PROPOSAL

In wake of two recent tragic accidents in Armonk involving teenage driver, Chris Simel explained the benefits of graduated licensing for 16-year-old drivers.  She urged the membership to review the laws in order to give new drivers the time to learn and enough experience to drive safely and reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities.

 

Ms. Simel presented statistics of a 16-year-old driver:

·       A 16-year-old drivers’ crash rate per mile is three times higher than 18 or 19 year olds.

·       Traffic deaths of newly licensed 16 year olds are up 50% while fatalities of most divers are decreased.

·       Traffic death rates are three times higher at night by teenagers occurring between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

·       36% of fatal crashes involving 16 year olds occur with three or more passengers in the cars, usually other teens, therefore causing distractions.

·       41% of fatal crashes involved on the teen’s vehicle.

·       More than 35% of young drivers have reported accidents during their first year of driving.

·       16 year olds have 40 crashes per 100 licensed drivers each year.

 

*For additional information, a tape is on file.

APPROVED 8/23/99;RGW/SRS;6-0

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Basically, a 16-year-old receives a learner’s permit, passes the road test the following week, receives a junior license within a month, and can be out driving with little or no experience.  Another statistic is a 16-year-old can drive until 9 p.m. with a number of passengers in the car, most of who are other teenagers, which leads to a distracted driver.

 

Most new drivers are not experienced to drive on highways, how to handle a car in cases of snow or ice and heavy rain fall.  Mrs. Hugenot explained that her son was involved in a fatal accident that occurred in February before 9 p.m.  Her son and another passengers were seriously hurt, the other died.  She urged for passenger limitations as a safer way not to take other lives.

 

The group understands that some rural areas in upstate New York may not agree with such amendments as discussed with State Legislators, but statistics show that different issues apply within the State and asked to amend those in Westchester County.  There are two bills pending review in the Senate and Assembly in Albany, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties have their laws in place.  The group suggests the following recommendations:

 

·       16 year old drivers must have a learner’s permit for a minimum of 6 months with adult supervision 25 years or older, with at least a minimum of 30 hours of driving(one hour per week).

·       a provisionary license is granted if appropriate tests are passed.  This would permit a 16½ year old to drive unsupervised only during daylight hours and no more than one passenger in the vehicle.  No exceptions.

·       After 6 months with a provisionary licenses, 10 additional hours of supervised highway and nighttime driving, the now 17 year old receives a junior license permitting them to drive until midnight with no more than one passenger.

·       During these periods, a driver must maintain a conviction-free record, if not their license is revoked for 6 months.  And if they drive without either license, the will no be allowed to obtain a license until age 18.

·       A 17-year-old driver would have to complete both Drivers Ed and Defensive Driving courses, otherwise, they would have to wait until 18 years old to obtain an unrestricted senior license.

 

 

 

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After a question and answer period, the members agreed that the law needs to be reviewed and will take the necessary steps needed for this Board to take action.  Mr. Ryan said he will ask the County Attorney to review the appropriate procedures to pass either a local law or home rule request.

 

Mr. Ryan thanked the group of parents and said he will be in touch with them for a follow up meeting once he has the necessary documents prepared for future discussions.

 

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY PROBATION OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

Probation Officers James Cannon and James O’Shea, both past and present Association presidents, came before the Committee to discuss the Probation Officer 25 year Retirement bill.

 

Mr. O’Shea said Governor Pataki signed a 25-year retirement plan law that is available as of January 1, 1999.  The Probation Officers of Westchester County have worked at the state level for a plan that provides a one-half final average salary pension upon completion of 25 years of qualified service, regardless of age.

 

Within recent years, Mr. O’Shea said Probation Officers have found themselves performing various functions in the department, similar to duties performed by officers in the County Police and Corrections Department.  Probation Officers are exposed to the risks and dangers involved in managing an increasingly violent criminal population, the same as other police and peace officers through the State and County.  Therefore, the Association urges the Board to adopt this law and put it into effect as soon as possible.

 

Mr. O’Shea said the County’s Probation Officers do not receive the same benefits as other law enforcement officers and they feel it should be fair and equal to receive comparable retirement benefits.  Those officers in Tier 1, 2, and 3 do not pay into the retirement system and newly employed officers hired under Tier 4 pay into the system, therefore implementing the retirement plan would be equitable as well as cost effective.

 

All members agreed that the Department needs to become equal with the rest of the law enforcement agencies.

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Mr. Ryan stated that in view the groups requests, there should be a similar and equitable system to be reached.  He said that most of the Board of Legislators should be in support of this bill and he will take this matter to both caucus’ for discussion.

 

 

The minutes of June 14th and June 21st were adopted on motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Mr. Wishnie, by a vote of 5-0.

 

 

With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.