Police Archives - Shelter Island Reporter

Those named in arrest reports or receiving police summonses have not been convicted of a crime. In court, the charges against them may be reduced or withdrawn or the defendants may be found not guilty.

Summonses

Norma A. Nunez-Nunez of Shelter Island was driving on North Ferry Road on Jan. 5 when she was stopped by police and ticketed for having inadequate or no lights. She received a second summons for unlicensed operation.

Christianne A. McGinn of East Hampton was ticketed on the 6th on North Ferry Road for also not having adequate lights.

On Jan. 8, Gregory D. Johnston of East Hampton was ticketed on West Neck Road for making an insufficient turn signal — less than 100 feet from the turn.

Mauricio R. Narvaez of Calverton was driving on West Neck Road on Jan. 8 when he was given a summons for making an improper or unsafe turn/without signaling.

Police conducted traffic stops and radar and distracted driving enforcement in the Center, Menantic and the Heights from Jan. 5 through 10, resulting in 14 warnings and four tickets. One parking ticket was issued during the week.

Accidents

Aidan R. Poleshuk was driving south on North Ferry Road on Jan. 7 when a deer ran onto the roadway, hitting the vehicle on the passenger side and causing over $1,000 in damage. There were no injuries.

On Jan. 11, Barbara E. Debevoise of Shelter Island told police that as she was backing out of her driveway onto North Menantic Road, she hit a Suffolk County Department of Public Works vehicle that was parked on the side of the road. A witness said in the draft police report that she tried to alert the driver before the collision but Ms. Debevoise reported she neither saw nor heard the warning. Damages exceeded $1,000 to the rear of Ms. Debevoise’s vehicle and the center of the driver’s-side panel of the county vehicle.

Ms. Debevoise was issued a summons because the driver’s view was obstructed by objects inside the vehicle.

Other reports

Shelter Island Police officers assisted the Southold Police Department on Jan. 6 in a search for a person whose cellphone indicated an Island location. Officers searched the area with negative results; the individual was subsequently located by Southold police.

On Jan. 8, a caller reported that a person was hunting on town property behind her Cartwright residence; she was concerned about her safety and that of others. An officer talked to the hunter, identified by the caller, who denied he was gun hunting on the property and did not have a deer in his possession. He was advised about the laws regarding gun hunting in general and on town property.

A person told police about a vehicle that failed to keep in lane in Cartwright on Jan. 8. An officer located the parked vehicle and interviewed the driver who said he was looking at houses and had accidentally swerved into the other lane. He was given a warning.

Also on that date, an anonymous caller reported seeing a vehicle, earlier in the day, that failed to maintain the lane. An officer interviewed the vehicle’s owner who said her caretaker, who was driving the vehicle to the doctor’s, had a medical emergency and was having trouble seeing.

A lost dog was reported found in the Center; an officer returned the dog to its owner.

On the 9th, a customer was reported leaving a Heights business without paying. It was later learned that there had been a problem with the credit card reader and the person was not aware the transaction had not gone through.

Police were told about a blown transformer on a pole in the Center on the 9th; PSEG responded.

Shelter Island Police officers were informed about a confidential tip from Crime Stoppers of Suffolk County on Jan. 10.

An extra radar patrol was requested on that date for St. Mary’s Road during morning commutes — 6:30 to 8 a.m.

Also on the 10th, a caller told police, for information purposes only, about a verbal confrontation between herself and another person in South Ferry Hills. A second report about the argument was filed on Jan. 11.

A person told police on Jan. 10 that she was lost on a trail in Mashomack Preserve and requested assistance. Before an officer could arrive, the caller said she had located her car and no longer needed help.

On Jan. 11, a Heights caller told police, for information purposes, that a customer had refused to pay for a special order. An officer advised the caller that the incident was a civil matter.

On the same day, police investigated a case of an internet-based scam, reported by a Cartwright resident.

In other incidents, police responded to a lost and found report, notified the Highway Department to remove two dead deer and unlocked two vehicles with the keys inside.

Alarms

On Jan. 11, a motion alarm was set off at a residence in the Heights. An officer found all the doors and windows were secure. The owner was notified.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported four cases to Eastern Long Island Hospital on Jan. 5, 8, 9 and 11. Two people were taken to Southampton Hospital on Jan. 5 and 11.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter: Jan. 5-11 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

The Shelter Island Police Department has reported the arrest of an East Hampton man on multiple charges.

On Monday afternoon at about 1:40 p.m., police said Glenn C. Specht, 49, was stopped for failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.

Mr. Specht was then arrested, police said, for driving while intoxicated, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle without a valid inspection certificate, and failure to stop at the stop sign.

Mr. Specht was taken into custody and transported to Shelter Island Police headquarters where he was processed and detained until arraignment.

The post Shelter Island Police arrest man on multiple charges appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Arrest

Glenn C. Specht, 49, of East Hampton was pulled over by police during a traffic stop at South Ferry on Jan. 18 at 1:38 p.m. for failure to stop at a stop sign. He was subsequently arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and aggravated DWI. Police also charged him with drinking alcohol while driving and operating a vehicle without a valid inspection certificate.

Mr. Specht had been advised earlier in the day on a job site in South Ferry Hills not to drive.

He was taken to Police headquarters, processed and detained until arraignment in Shelter Island Justice Court.

Summonses

A town code summons was issued to Mary A. Reiter of Shelter Island on Jan. 13 for allowing her dog to run at large on Quail and Fox Hollow roads.

Carron M. Sherry of New York City was ticketed by police on Jan. 12 on North Midway Road for failure to stop at a stop sign.

Eric C. Tonyes was driving on New York Avenue on Jan. 13 when he was given a summons for speeding — 35 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone.

Also on the 13th, S. Terzi-Bamberger of Southampton was stopped for failure to keep right on North Ferry Road and also ticketed for driving an unregistered vehicle.

On Jan. 14, Wilfin R. Cruz of Riverhead was ticketed for speeding on St. Mary’s Road — 44 mph in a 35-mph zone. He received a second ticket for unlicensed operation.

Blanca U. Garrido-Palencia of Calverton was given a summons on Jan. 14 for speeding on St. Mary’s Road — 46 mph in a 35-mph zone.

That day, Andrew H. Payne of Shelter Island received two tickets for driving an unregistered and uninspected vehicle on North Ferry Road.

Kenia R. Nunez-Leon was stopped on North Ferry Road for failure to keep right on Jan. 16 and issued a second ticket for driving while her registration was suspended/revoked.

From Jan. 12 through 17, police conducted 32 traffic and distracted driving and radar enforcement stops in the Center, Ram Island, the Heights, West Neck and Menantic, resulting in 19 warnings and 10 tickets.

Accidents

On Jan. 15, Rosemary Nelson McGriel of Shelter Island was traveling north on Grand Avenue when she pulled off the roadway to park in front of a parked vehicle owned by Mathew R. McCarthy of Shelter Island. She swiped the passenger side of her vehicle and damaged the front driver’s-side of Mr. MaCarthy’s vehicle — estimated at over $1,000. Mr. McCarthy was not at the scene and was notified by police.

Other reports

An officer on patrol on Jan. 12 saw a disabled vehicle in the Center; the owner said she had transmission problems and the car was towed.

A caller told police on Jan. 12 that a person was dumping brush on his Center property. He was advised that this was a civil matter and that he should obtain a survey of property lines before proceeding.

A confidential investigation into a possible sexual assault took place on Jan. 12.

A caller reported being a victim of an internet scam on Jan. 13.

On that date, a request regarding information related to a vehicle’s title, registration and insurance was declared civil in nature and the caller was advised to move forward with the assistance of her attorney,

Another complainant on Jan. 14 was told to contact an attorney regarding a civil matter.

On Jan. 15, a Hay Beach property owner surrendered firearms to police in accordance with an order of protection.

An anonymous caller reported a flooded road in West Neck on Jan. 16. The Highway Department was notified.

Police responded to a call on Jan 16 about an open burning by the Westmoreland airstrip. An officer reported there was no violation of the town code.

Also on the 16th, a verbal domestic dispute was reported in Cartwright.

Loud music was reported in Menantic on the 16th. The resident turned down the music.

On Jan. 17, a passing motorist noticed that several vehicles were parked in a no-stopping zone on Route 114, adjacent to Mashomack Preserve. An officer notified employees that the parking lot was full and that they direct traffic in order to avoid a hazardous condition. As a result, five parking tickets were issued and five vehicles remained legally parked off the roadway.

A bike with a flat tire was reported missing from a Center backyard on Jan. 17. Police determined it was taken by a family member for repair.

Also on that date a verbal domestic dispute was reported on Ram Island.

On the 18th, an eroding roadway along Shell Beach was called in. An officer noted that a barricade created a safety barrier and there was no immediate hazard requiring Highway Department response.

A caller told police that littering was an on-going problem on South Ram Island Road. Site managers were interviewed and an officer noted a clean jobsite at the location.

In other reports during the week, police participated in training on and off the Island, served an order of protection, responded to two lost and found reports, fingerprinted a person for licensing, opened two vehicles with the keys locked inside, helped two residents in their homes, filed administrative reports, and made a well-being check.

Alarms

The Shelter Island Fire Department responded to four calls on Jan. 12, 14, 15 and 18 in the Center, the Heights and Hay Beach. The first was a false carbon monoxide alarm, caused by a faulty detector; the second smoke alarm was activated by an equipment malfunction; and cooking set off the other two alarms.

A motion detector was activated in Shorewood on Jan. 12; the owner had entered the wrong passcode. On the same day, a caretaker set off an alarm at a South Ferry residence by accident. On Jan. 18, an owner forgot to turn off the alarm at a Center home.

Animal incidents

A caller reported a raccoon in a Silver Beach garage; the animal control officer (ACO) found no raccoon but “a big mess” in the garage. The owner was advised to keep the garage door closed.

An injured duck was reported in Hay Beach; the ACO searched the area without success.

An anonymous caller told police there was a dead deer on the beach at Hay Beach; the area was canvassed with negative results.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported two people to Eastern Long Island Hospital on Jan. 16 and 19.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter : Jan. 12-19 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Summonses

Melvin J. Romero-Romero of the Bronx was driving on Grand Avenue on Jan. 20 when he was stopped by police for having an uninspected vehicle.

On Jan. 21, Jose N. Garcia Galeano of Southold was ticketed on Clinton Avenue for having no/inadequate license plate lights. He was given a second summons for an unauthorized light.

From Jan. 20 through Jan. 25, police conducted 16 traffic stops, distracted driving and radar enforcement in the Center, the Heights, West Neck, Menantic and St. Mary’s Road, resulting in five warnings and three tickets.

Accidents

On Jan. 22, Jeremy D. Samuelson of East Hampton, a caretaker at Mashomack Preserve, said he had observed Joshua M. Stoeckert of Mattituck driving on several trail roads on the preserve. He followed the vehicle until he was able to use a cut-out in the road to pass, pulling in front of Mr. Stoeckert’s vehicle. He said Mr. Stoeckert had accelerated and ran into his vehicle. Mr. Stoeckert said in the draft police report that he was trying to leave the preserve and was closely followed by Mr. Samuelson. After passing him, Mr. Samuelson put on his brakes, and Mr. Stoeckert said he hit the rear of that vehicle, causing over $1,000 in damage to both.

Gregory F. Raymond of Shelter Island was backing out of a driveway onto West Neck Road on Jan. 23 when he hit a tree causing over $1,000 in damage to the driver’s-side rear bumper, taillight, rear quarter panel and driver’s-side door and mirror. There were no injuries.

Terry D. Harwood of Shelter Island was driving north on South Ferry Road on Jan. 25 when a deer ran onto the roadway, hitting his vehicle. No damage to the vehicle was reported; the deer was put down.

Other reports

A caller told police on Jan. 19 there was a leak in the crawl space of her Longview home. Officers located a pin hole in the copper water line, turned off the water valve and advised her to contact a plumber.

Police investigated a possible violation of an order of protection on Jan. 19. On that date, a caller reported being a victim of an Amazon scam — a grand larceny.

On the 20th, a caller told police that water was coming up through the drain of a basement sink, causing the sink to overflow and flood the basement. An officer turned off the water valve and advised the Center resident to call a plumber.

A landlord/tenant dispute in the Center was reported to police on Jan. 21

On Jan. 22, Shelter Island police assisted Suffolk County Crime Stoppers with a confidential investigation.

A Dering Harbor caller reported not being able to turn off a burner on the stove on Jan 25. A propane company was at the site when police arrived. The Shelter Island Fire Department (SIFD) also responded. The gas was turned off and the caller advised not to use the stove and to call an appliance repair company.

A person called in a case of identity theft on the 25th.

In other reports, police provided an escort to the South Ferry, responded to a lost and found case, attended two off-Island training sessions, assisted three residents in their homes, answered a freedom of information request and attended to three administrative state requirements.

Alarms

A motion alarm in Westmoreland was set off on Jan. 20 when the caretaker entered the wrong passcode.

A side-door motion alarm in the Center was activated on Jan. 23 when the French doors were unable to be latched properly.

The SIFD responded to a fire alarm in the Heights on the 23rd, caused by burning food. Also on that day in the Heights, an alarm was tripped either as it was being reset or by a bathroom window that was slightly ajar, possibly due to high winds. There was no sign of any criminal activity.

Animal incidents

Two injured deer were reported in the Center and were put down by officers.

Two dogs at large were seen in Menantic. An animal control officer searched the area with the owner until both dogs returned home on their own. A dog at large in Hay Beach was found but had no collar or chip. The owner later called Police Department headquarters, looking for the lost dog.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported four people to Eastern Long Island Hospital on Jan. 19, 21 and 25.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

The Police Reform Committee members spent Thursday morning reviewing questions to include in an online survey likely to be made public by the end of February.

The committee was set up in response to a state mandate for all departments within New York to determine ways to improve policing.

Committee member Don D’Amato, who has been researching platforms to offer a survey to the public, said Survey Monkey is the best platform for this particular effort.

The survey shouldn’t be confused with complaint forms filed by those who have issues with the handling of a particular case. Those issues should be filed either with the Shelter Island Police Department or with Supervisor Gerry Siller so they can be investigated and appropriately handled.

The survey is aimed at hearing from a wide number of people about general perceptions of the Police Department. Accordingly, members last Thursday morning reviewed questions used by two other communities to determine which might be right for Shelter Island.

Mr. D’Amato is going to review both surveys — one used by a police reform committee in Riverhead and the other from Brighton, N.Y., outside of Rochester. Mr. D’Amato will be eliminating repeat questions or questions not relevant to Shelter Island.

Police Chief Jim Read told the committee the department has averaged one complaint every other year for the past 10 years. The complaints have generally been people who complained about their treatment by police while being searched; police efforts to restrict access to certain places; a policeman accused of harassing someone while the officer was off duty; or similar issues that had to be investigated. Those all came from citizens.

Citizen complaints generally have come from people willing to identify themselves — those who have either been involved with a particular situation or witnessed something they thought was inappropriate. But on occasion, a complaint is filed anonymously and those, too, are investigated, the chief said.

It helps when those filing complaints identify themselves because often more information is needed to spur a proper investigation, the chief said.

On questions about whether police are solving crimes in the community, the committee hopes people will put aside such cases as the killing of the Reverend Canon Paul Wancura who died in March 2018. The local department doesn’t handle such cases, and Suffolk County Police are continuing the investigation.

Similarly, another unsolved case involving the cutting of trees off Menhaden Lane, destroying them in January 2018 remains unsolved. That investigation is in the hands of the Suffolk County Parks Department since the trees were on Suffolk County-owned land.

What the committee hopes is that the survey will help determine if there are any systemic problems, such as mistreatment of individuals or groups of people; overuse of force in handling calls; or under serving anyone or any group in need of more attention.

Committee members were expected to work on identifying various shareholders who would have interactions with police, including individuals or groups, court personnel, seniors, members of African-American and Latino groups, and others who might represent different perceptions of interaction with police.

The committee is still pushing forward with weekly meetings. After the survey, they expect to hold a community forum to gather more information.

While they still have a state-imposed early April deadline to complete their report, Chief Read has said he believes that as long as they continued to move forward, he believes the deadline could be extended.

The post Police Reform group presses ahead with survey preparations: Aim to release questions to public by end of February appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Police launched a drug investigation on Jan. 26, but details are currently confidential and expected to remain so unless charges are levied against any person or persons.

This week’s snow storm with heavy winds resulted in incidents Monday involving reports of hazards involving downed wires and slippery roadways.

A tree limb had downed wires in Menantic and the wires had to be pulled off a house.

Flooded roadways on Ram Island caused icy roadways. Police placed cones in the area until high tides would dissipate, eliminating the problem.

Police responded to a call on Jan. 26 of a low hanging tree limb that resulted in an electrical wire leaning on a tree in West Neck. PSEG responded immediately and handled the situation.

SUMMONSES

Peter Fouchet of Southold was stopped by police on New York Avenue Jan. 29 for having an expired inspection sticker on his vehicle.

Eight drivers received warnings during traffic stops on Jan. 27, 28, 29 and 30.

Three drivers were stopped during distracted driver checks with two receiving warnings. The third was determined not to have been distracted.

ACCIDENTS

Renato Joaquin Salazar of Elmhurst, Queens, was driving south on North Ferry Road when a deer ran into the roadway and struck his vehicle. Mr. Salazar was uninjured. Damage to his vehicle was reported to be in excess of $1,000.

OTHER REPORTS

A resident reported to police that his credit card company had informed him that an unknown person attempted to use his card on Tuesday.

Another person told police she was the victim of identity theft on Feb. 1.

Following a call on Jan. 31 that a Cartwright house had no heat and posed electrical issues, police notified PSEG, which dispatched a crew to handle the situation.

A Hay Beach resident called police Jan. 31 to report a spray of water from the side of a house. An officer observed water spraying from a vent and reached the owner to gain access to the house to turn off the water valve.

An open porch door at a Dering Harbor house was secured after it had been blown open by high winds, police said.

Police responded to a Harbor View house on Jan. 30 after receiving a 911 call that a lot of yelling was heard. The occupant told police she was talking loudly with friends and accidentally “pocket dialed” 911.

On Jan. 29, a caller reported receiving harassing telephone calls and asked police to intervene with the responsible individual to cease the calls.

A report of a suspicious person walking into the woods in the Center was investigated with no results.

On Monday, police assisted a driver of a disabled vehicle that was partially blocking an intersection in the Heights to move the vehicle. The driver told police he was unable to drive up Tower Hill Road because of snow. The vehicle was able to be moved from the intersection and parked.

On Jan. 30, police responded to a call of a vehicle parked and partially blocking the roadway. The owner was able to move the vehicle.

Police provided observation of a person under an order of protection while that person retrieved property from a Hay Beach home.

In other reports, police conducted a well-being check of a Cartwright Road resident without incident; assisted a tenant in helping lift a landlord from the floor to his bed.

Police attended two off-Island training sessions.

ALARMS

Police received a request from a property owner on Jan. 28 for extra patrol in the Heights after the Fire Department responded to fire sprinklers going off during construction on the house. The property owner was concerned with a possible smoke problem because the alarm system had to be disabled.

An alarm at a Harbor View residence was activated by an open front door. Police secured the premises.

A first floor smoke detector was activated on Jan. 27 in Silver Beach after a worker reported the use of a dull router had caused smoke.

ANIMAL INCIDENTS

On Jan. 30, a caller reported an injured deer in the Center. An officer observed the deer with a broken leg, but the animal ran off and jumped into the woods.

On Jan. 31, an injured deer had to be put down and removed from a yard in the Center.

Police responded to calls from Hay Beach and Menantic about injured birds. The birds were transported to a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Police responded to two calls about three dogs in West Neck and one in the Center running at large. In both cases, the dogs were gone when police arrived.

AIDED CASES

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported three people to Eastern Long Island Hospital on Jan. 28, 31 and Feb. 1.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter: Jan. 28-Feb. 2 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

The Town of Shelter Island Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative invites you to be part of its process.

Please take our online survey and let your voice be heard.

As mandated by New York State the Town of Shelter Island is doing a review of its current Police Department practices and the Department’s relationship with the community. This survey is a tool to begin a dialogue with the community and will be followed up with a public Zoom forum.

This survey is completely anonymous.

The survey will be open between February 9 and 23.

YOUR OPINION MATTERS!

English:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShelterIslandPolice

Español:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PoliciadeSI

The post Town invites residents to take survey on policing appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

A blown fuse in the Shelter Island grid knocked out power to 1,000 homes overnight Sunday at midnight and it was lights out until after 1 p.m. Monday, according to Shelter Island Police. An alarm in the Center was triggered by the outage, alerting police to the situation. They notified PSEG and a crew responded to identify and fix the problem.

As power was restored, it triggered a carbon monoxide alarm in a Hay Beach house. The homeowner notified police at 1:05 p.m. Monday there was no problem and the alarm had just been a response to the power surge.

A leaking fire hydrant was reported on Feb. 2 at 9:03 a.m. in Dering Harbor. Suffolk County Water Authority was advised of the leak and responded.

Two fire calls drew firefighters and police to scenes that turned out to be situations under control. The first occurred Feb.4 when an alarm sounded at 9:08 p.m. and turned out to be a boiler blow back in the basement of the house, according to Fire Chief Earl Reiter. Firefighters used fans to disseminate smoke and an electrician and boiler maintenance crew were due to arrive the following morning.

In the second case, a kitchen fire was reported at a house in the Center at 2:31 a.m. Feb. 5. The occupants were outside when police arrived. An inspection showed embers on a wood floor and police extinguished them. Firefighters arrived and properly cleared the house of smoke and fire hazards.

Several weather related hazards were reported on Feb. 2 and 3. Downed wires on Ram Island were reported to police at 10:41 a.m. Feb. 2. Optimum was to respond to correct the wiring.

Hazardous road conditions were reported in several areas on Feb. 2. Cones had to be placed on West Neck because of flooding reported at 2:45 a.m.

Debris on the roadway on Ram Island was reported at 8:43 a.m.

The following day, police received a call at 4:18 a.m. about hazardous conditions on snow-covered roadways in the Heights; a Heights road crew salted and sanded the roadways.

Foul weather resulted in calls of icy roadways in the Center, the Heights and Dering Harbor at 3:30 a.m. Feb. 8. Road crews were notified to take appropriate action.

SUMMONSES

Darwin Chango Yanchapanta of Center Moriches was stopped on Shore Road at 1 p.m. Feb 8 and ticketed for operating a vehicle in violation of restrictions and failing to keep to the right of the roadway. He faces a court date on March 22 unless he elects to plead guilty by mail.

ACCIDENTS

A driver on Manwaring Road struck a deer that ran into the street on Feb. 3 at 10:48 p.m. Tyler Shepherd of Burns Road was uninjured and police said there was no damage to his vehicle. The deer had to be put down by police.

Kymberely Dennis of Brooklyn reported to police at 4 p.m. Feb. 4 that her vehicle was parked on West Neck Road in a gravel parking lot and a bumper had been torn from the rear of the car on the driver’s side, but was still attached on the passenger side. Police said there were no signs of impact but that it appeared a driver who left the scene had been too close to her car while reversing from a parked position. There’s no information on when the accident occurred. Police said they couldn’t estimate the cost of the damage to her vehicle.

OTHER REPORTS

A caller told police a Verizon account had been opened in his name without his permission. The caller, who filed the report with police on Feb. 3 at 11:11 a.m. had reported the situation to Verizon.

A sailboat washed ashore in West Neck on Feb. 3; the owner was notified and removed the craft.

A kayak was found washed ashore in West Neck on Feb. 4 and moved for safekeeping until the owner was located and retrieved the boat.

Police retrieved a watch on Feb. 3 and a wallet on Feb. 4. Police are holding the watch, but the owner of the wallet was contacted and retrieved it from Police Headquarters.

A vehicle parked on a Center Roadway was reported on Feb. 6 with a request that it be removed in advance of an overnight snow storm. Relatives of the owner were notified and said the owner was away on vacation. Police determined the vehicle could be towed once a snow emergency went into effect.

ANIMAL INCIDENTS

A sick raccoon was reported at 1:09 p.m. on Feb. 3 in South Ferry Hills and an animal control officer transported the raccoon to a veterinarian for humane euthanasia.

A Canada goose was reported in distress on Ram Island at 1:53 p.m. Feb. 5. The goose was transported to a wildlife rehabilitation center.

AIDED CASES

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported five people to hospitals — one to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital on Feb. 2 and four to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital on Feb. 2, 4 , 5 and 8.

Police responded to a call to assist a patient who had fallen from a chair to the floor on Feb. 4.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter — Feb. 3-9 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Islanders are being asked to evaluate the Shelter Island Police Department and give recommendations to improve service.

An online survey, in English and Spanish, is now open and residents are asked to participate in upcoming “listening sessions” with a town committee called the Shelter Island Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.

These steps must be followed and a new plan for policing presented to the state by April 1, by order of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to be eligible for future state funding.

The online survey, which can be found on the town’s website — shelterislandtown.us/, click on Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Survey — consists of 15 questions, ranging from whether Islanders feel safe in their neighborhoods or while driving, shopping and working, to whether they have confidence in the Police Department and to evaluate recent encounters with police officers.

Hard copies of the survey, also in English and Spanish, can be obtained at Town Hall and the Library.

The survey shouldn’t be confused with complaint forms filed by those who have issues with the handling of a particular case, which should be filed with the Shelter Island Police Department or with Supervisor Gerry Siller so they can be investigated. Mr. Siller and his colleagues on the Town Board are the Island’s police commissioners.

Representatives from demographic groups — such as high school students or Latino residents — and from institutions within the community, labeled as “stakeholders,” will be given a chance to express opinions and recommendations at upcoming virtual meetings with the committee. After that, there will be a virtual public forum where any resident can be heard.

When the police reform committee was being set up, Police Chief Jim Read said his department would do a complete review of its policies.

“The SIPD embraces opportunity for growth and we practice a philosophy of continuing improvement every day,” he said, promising more information as efforts to address issues might arise.

He’s also noted that the department has averaged one complaint every other year for the past 10 years. The complaints have generally been from people about their treatment by police while being searched; police efforts to restrict access to certain places; a police officer accused of harassing someone while the officer was off duty; or similar issues that had to be investigated.

The department launched two investigations based on concerns that arose during regular police work. One was in relation to a charge that an officer failed to secure a police vehicle and the other involved an officer who was thought to have failed to take action when it was appropriate. Citizen complaints generally have come from people willing to identify themselves — those who have either been involved with a particular situation or witnessed something they thought was inappropriate.

But on occasion, a complaint is filed anonymously and those, too, are investigated, the chief said. It helps when those filing complaints identify themselves because often more information is needed to spur a proper investigation, the chief said.

At the Feb. 11 meeting, the committee identified the stakeholders that will be asked to provide representatives for their views over the next two meetings. These include: the County District Attorney’s office; the public defender; The Retreat — an East-Hampton-based nonprofit that assists families experiencing abusive situations; Shelter Island School officials; students and high school graduates; OLA — an East End Latino advocacy group; the Chamber of Commerce; the churches; Senior Services; the Fire District; EMS Services; the Library; the Highway Department; workers who come to the Island for day labor; the Heights; Dering Harbor; Shelter Island Patrolman’s Benevolent Association; the ferry companies; regional representatives of the NAACP; and Wille Jenkins of Bridgehampton, to represent Black Lives Matter movement on the East End.

The public forum, where any resident can weigh in, is scheduled for March 3 via Zoom (the Reporter will publish the time and Zoom access), The committee will present its report to the Town Board at its meeting on March 26.

The post Police reform committee releases survey for residents: Sets up forums for stakeholders, residents appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Except for a few days of icy cold temperatures, the winter of 2020-21 was reasonably quiet until this month. While snow totals this month were generally lower than anticipated, there has been enough ice and snow to cause hazardous road conditions and some downed wires.

PSEG had to respond to a report of a tree lying on wires in the Center on Feb. 10, just after 2 p.m. There were days when icy conditions throughout the Island resulted in police having to notify town and Heights highway departments to put down sand on roadways.

A driver on North Cartwright Road on Feb. 10 at 9:41 a.m. failed to negotiate a turn on black ice and slid into a snowy shoulder hitting several privet hedges. The vehicle driven by Warren Baker of New York City sustained more than $1,000 in damages to the passenger side and the car had to be pulled from the snow by a tow truck. Mr. Baker was not injured.

A chimney fire in a wood stove that likely cooked the exhaust pipe because of a creosote buildup at a house in Silver Beach was doused by a caller prior to the arrival of the Shelter Island Fire Department and police on Feb. 13 at 4:41 p.m. Firefighters determined that the fire was completely extinguished. The owner was advised to hire a company to clean the chimney.

A carbon monoxide alarm was reported sounding at 6:42 p.m., Feb. 13 at a Hilo residence and firefighters determined there was a trace of carbon monoxide in the house, perhaps caused by a gas fireplace. The caller was advised to open windows to let in fresh air.

SUMMONSES

Maikol Navarro Rojas of East Quogue was stopped on South Ferry Road at 5:35 p.m., Feb. 10 when police said he failed to yield at a yield sign. Police said he was unlicensed and ticketed for that as well. He received a summons for a March 22 Shelter Island Justice Court appearance with the option to plead guilty and pay fines in advance of the scheduled court date.

OTHER REPORTS

A Hay Beach resident called police at 5:33 p.m., Feb. 9 about a security camera picking up two individuals on the property. Police said there was no sign that the pair had come near the house and speculated they might have been hunters tracking deer in the snow.

A police officer directed traffic around a disabled vehicle on South Ferry Road at 8:19 a.m., Feb. 9 until the vehicle could be towed.

Police assisted a caller driving her vehicle onto an icy driveway in West Neck at 9:21 p.m., Feb. 9. Police are investigating a report called in at 11:31 a.m., Feb. 11 from a victim of a Facebook Marketplace scam involving the attempted purchase of a chainsaw.

Police received a report from a woman in the Heights that she had received a letter from the New York State Department of Labor about unemployment benefits for which she said she never filed. The call came in at 10:51 a.m., Feb. 11. Police advised her to report the fraudulent claim to the Labor Department.

A caller reported finding a wallet at 10:11 a.m., Feb. 12 and police retrieved it and were able to return it to the owner.

Police assisted a driver on Feb. 14 in opening a vehicle in which the keys had been locked inside.

Police responded to a call to assist a person who had fallen from a chair to the floor on Feb. 14.

Police assisted in lifting a Center resident from the floor to a chair on Feb. 15.

ALARMS

A smoke alarm was reported on Feb. 9 at a Westmoreland house; an employee at the scene said the smoke resulted from soldering of pipe joints.

An employee at a Center residence on Feb. 10 entered a wrong pass code causing an alarm. A wire cut accidentally by a construction crew at a Heights business caused an alarm to sound on Feb. 11.

ANIMAL INCIDENTS

A Silver Beach resident called police at 6:41 p.m., Feb. 10 saying he was delayed off-Island and couldn’t find anyone to check on his service dog. An ACO responded and found that the animal was fine.

A Cartwright resident reported a bat in the house Feb. 12 that was removed by an animal control officer (ACO) and taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center for observation.

An anonymous caller called police at 8 p.m., Feb. 12 to report a dog running loose in the Center, but prior to the police arriving, the dog had returned to its residence.

A caller reported a distressed swan at South Ferry at 1 p.m., Feb. 13, but the swan appeared fine when police arrived.

On Feb. 15, a Center resident reported a lost dog at 10:22, but the dog had returned to her home after an ACO had helped to search for the animal.

AIDED CASES

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported three people to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital on Feb. 9, 10 and 14.

The post Shelter Island Police blotter — Feb. 9-16 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Summonses

Esteban A. Pachon of East Quogue was driving on North Ferry Road on Feb. 17 when police stopped him for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device. He was also ticketed for unlicensed operation.

Officers conducted seven traffic stops and distracted driving enforcement in the Center and the Heights on February 16. 17. 20 and 21, resulting in two tickets and four warnings.

Accidents

Bernard Miny of Southampton was driving east on Jaspa Road on Feb. 16 when he said his floor mat came out of place, sticking to the accelerator pedal. He tried to slow down for an approaching stop sign but could not stop in time. He ran through the stop sign and hit the passenger-side fender of a trailer attached to a vehicle driven by Juan M. Contreras-Garcia of Shelter Island who was headed south on North Ferry Road. Damage to both vehicles exceeded $1,000.

On Feb. 17, Jean Carlos Blanco of Forest Hills was backing out onto North Ferry Road when he hit the driver’s-side door, mirror and fender of a parked vehicle belonging to J. Kolmogorova-Wesnbrg of Shelter Island. Mr. Blanco left the scene due to a family emergency but arrived at Police Headquarters one hour later to report the accident. Damages to the passenger-side rear of Mr. Blanco’s vehicle and the driver’s side of Ms. Kolmogorova-Wesnbrg’s vehicle totaled more than $1,000.

Myles C. Clark of Shelter Island was making a right turn from North Ferry Road onto West Neck Road on Feb. 18 when his vehicle slid on the icy roadway and caused it to run into a vehicle driven by Jeffrey Starzee of Shelter Island, who was stopped at a stop sign. Damage to the driver’s-side of Mr. Starzee’s vehicle and the front of Mr. Clark’s vehicle exceeded $1,000.

Taylor Tybaert of Shelter Island was headed south on South Ferry Road on Feb. 18 when he lost control of his vehicle due to snowy road conditions. His vehicle left the roadway, knocked down a 40-mph sign and came to rest on the shoulder. A Good Samaritan, Peter Marcelle of Shelter Island, assisted Mr. Tybaert in getting his vehicle off the shoulder and back on the roadway. Damages were under $1,000.

Other reports

Police investigated a complaint regarding the possible violation of an order of protection on Feb. 16.

A caller told police on that date that a person had entered a Center store without a mask — a violation of NYS Executive Order 202. A verbal warning was issued.

Concerns about a late-relative’s estate was investigated on Feb. 16.

Also on the 16th a caller reported a utility pole was on fire in the Center. The Shelter Island Fire Department assisted with traffic, and PSEG responded and extinguished it.

Police followed up on a call about a missing person on the 16th; the individual subsequently returned home.

On the 17th a caller reported that he was told not to enter the passenger cabin on a South Ferry boat. The crew member who advised him to remain outside was following a COVID-19 rule.

A caller reported that a vehicle parked in the Center on the 18th was hindering the Highway Department’s snow removal. Unable to contact the owner, an officer located a relative who said he would pay to have the vehicle towed.

A complainant reported that an ATV was being driven on Smith Street on the 18th. The area was canvassed with negative results. On the 21st, an officer on patrol saw an ATV being operated, also on Smith Street; the driver was stopped and issued a verbal warning.

Police received additional information about a Facebook scam on Feb. 18. Also on that date, a Social Security scam was reported for informational purposes.

On Feb. 18, the Heights Property Owners Corporation reported a vehicle parked all day across from Isola Restaurant during the snow storm. The owner was contacted and the vehicle removed.

A verbal domestic dispute in the Center was reported on the 18th.

The same day, a caller reported getting lost in Mashomack Preserve. A caretaker responded and escorted the caller and a friend to her vehicle.

On the 19th, damage to a pole in the Heights was called in; Verizon was notified.

Police notified Highway Departments in the town, Heights and Dering Harbor of snowy and slippery road conditions on the 19th.

On Feb. 21, a Center caller reported finding footprints in the snow leading to her back patio. She wasn’t sure if the footprints belonged to her landlord. An officer contacted the landlord who said a contractor was measuring the roof to install solar panels.

A dog at large was reported in Shorewood on the 21st. While the animal control officer searched the area, the dog’s owner reported the dog was missing. The dog later returned home on her own.

A complainant told police that a vehicle parked in a restricted area on Goat Hill should be moved. The driver said he thought parking was allowed on the maintenance road and moved it immediately.

On Feb. 22 a Ram Island caller reported a sparking transformer. When an officer arrived, the transformer was no longer sparking and the area had power. PSEG was notified.

In other reports, police opened four vehicles with the keys locked inside and assisted four residents in their homes.

Alarms

A burglary alarm in West Neck on the 16th was activated accidentally. The Shelter Island Fire Department (SIFD) responded to a carbon monoxide alarm on Feb. 18, probably caused by a furnace malfunction.

Smoke in a Shorewood residence on Feb. 22 brought out the SIFD again. The residents had neglected to open the damper.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported three people to Eastern Long Island Hospital on Feb.16, 18 and 22. A fourth person was taken to Southampton Hospital on Feb. 20.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter — Feb. 17-23 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Summonses

Marylou Kaler of Montauk was driving on North Ferry Road on Feb. 23 when she was stopped by police for driving with inadequate or no brake lights. She was also given a ticket for operating an uninspected vehicle.

On Feb. 25, Eric J. Nardo of Nesconset was driving on West Neck Road when he was ticketed for aggravated unlicensed operation in the 2nd degree — a misdemeanor. He was also given a summons for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device.

Police conducted 10 traffic stops and distracted driving enforcement on Feb. 23, 24, 25 and 27 and March 1 in the Center, the Heights and Menantic, resulting in four tickets and three warnings.

Other reports

A caller reported fraudulent activity on his credit card on Feb. 24 for informational purposes.

A complainant told police on Feb. 24 that a person drove away without paying for gas in the Heights. A case of fraud was reported in the Center on the 25th. On the 26th, officers assisted the town and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital medical staff in administering 503 vaccinations at the Shelter Island School.

A caller told police on Feb. 26 that a person was yelling inside his vehicle on the South Ferry, getting ready to debark in North Haven. An officer spoke to the man who said he was just talking to a friend and there was no problem.

On Feb. 28, members of the Police Department, Shelter Island Fire Department (SIFD) and Emergency Medical Service teams participated in ice rescue training.

The victim of a verbal domestic dispute in Cartwright phoned police on March 1.

An open door with the lights on was reported at the old Capitol One bank building in West Neck on March 1. The real estate agent said that a buyer was inside the building, but must have left.

In other incidents, police responded to five lost-and-found reports; fingerprinted an individual for employment purposes; unlocked a vehicle with the keys inside; helped two residents gain access to their residences; assisted five residents in their homes; and conducted two school crossings.

Alarms

A carbon monoxide alarm in Silver Beach was activated on Feb. 23 by a gas-powered tile saw. Also on the 23rd, The SIFD responded to a fire alarm in the Heights that was set off by a storage room heat sensor.

The SIFD also was on call for a carbon monoxide alarm in Menantic. They found a high level of carbon monoxide, aired out the basement and shut down the furnace.

Two fire alarms were set off in the Heights on Feb. 24 and 25. Both were false alarms due to ongoing construction. On Feb. 26, the SIFD answered a fire alarm call in Silver Beach, set off by a resident testing a new fireplace.

A person entered the wrong password, setting off a residential alarm in Menantic on Feb. 25.

On March 1, an alarm was activated when outside doors to a second floor Silver Beach bedroom were not securely latched and had blown open due to high winds.

Animal incidents

An elderly dog at large was reported in the middle of a West Neck road. An officer observed the dog walk into its residence. A rabbit with an injured leg was reported in Menantic. The area was searched by an animal control officer without success.

A dog at large in Hilo was called in but could not be located by an animal control officer.

A dead dolphin had washed up on a Menantic shore. The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society contacted the DEC to see if they would remove the animal and perform a necropsy, which they agreed to do.

An injured cat was reported in Silver Beach.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported five individuals to Eastern Long Island Hospital on Feb. 23, 24, 25 and 26.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter: Feb 23- March 2 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

The Shelter Island Police Department and the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the circumstances of a drug overdose at an Island residence on the morning of Friday, March 5.

According to the police, Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services personnel were dispatched to the residence after a call that someone who lived there was unconscious and not breathing.

On arrival at 8:18 a.m., Moises C. Garcia, 41, was found in the basement, dead from an apparent overdose of fentanyl, an opioid narcotic.

The post Cops and county investigating Island drug overdose appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

The Police Reform Committee members spent Thursday morning reviewing questions to include in an online survey likely to be made public by the end of February.

The committee was set up in response to a state mandate for all departments within New York to determine ways to improve policing.

Committee member Don D’Amato, who has been researching platforms to offer a survey to the public, said Survey Monkey is the best platform for this particular effort.

It helps when those filing complaints identify themselves because often more information is needed to spur a proper investigation, the chief said.

The committee is still pushing forward with weekly meetings. After the survey, they expect to hold a community forum to gather more information.

The post Police Reform group presses ahead with survey preparations: Aim to release questions to public by end of February appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Shelter Island Police Department officers and Emergency Medical Services teams responded to a report on March 5 at about 8:18 a.m. about a person not conscious and not breathing at a Cartwright residence. They found a 41 year-old Shelter Island man in the basement where he had apparently died of a drug — fentanyl — overdose.

Det./Sgt. Jack Thilberg said the town police, in conjunction with the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office, are investigating the circumstances of the death and the investigation remains active.

Summonses

Jhon J. Lozano Velasquez of East Hampton was driving on New York Avenue on March 4 when he was stopped for speeding — 39 mph in a 25-mph zone. He was also ticketed for operating out of class.

Edward A. Jimenez of New York City was driving on Smith Street on March 7 when police found him operating out of his ignition interlock restriction. He was also given a summons for making an insufficient turn signal.

On March 8, Edison J. Arcentales Padilla of East Hampton was ticketed on South Ferry Road for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device.

Fourteen traffic and distracted driving enforcement stops were conducted in the Center, the Heights and Menantic on March 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8, resulting in eight warnings and five tickets.

Accidents

On March 3, Edward J. Strahm of Shelter Island reported that he apparently blacked out while leaving the IGA and ended up in a ditch off the roadway on North Ferry Road. His airbag was deployed but he had no apparent injuries. The Shelter Island Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services teams were on site, and Mr. Strahm was taken to Eastern Long Island Hospital for medical attention. Damage to the “stop ahead’ road sign was reported.

The following day, Taylor Paige Rando of Shelter Island was traveling eastbound on West Neck Road when a deer ran onto the roadway hitting the right front of the vehicle, causing over $1,000 in damage.

Other reports

PSEG was notified on March 2 when a utility pole snapped in the Center, cutting off power in the area. An anonymous caller reported a tree had fallen on top of a Center house on that date; the owner was working directly with PSEG and a private tree company.

A person visited Police Headquarters on the March 3 to report ongoing littering in the area of South Ram Island Road.

On the 6th, a caller reported damage resulting from a property line dispute in Menantic. An injured blue jay in the Heights was captured by an animal control officer and taken to an avian vet. Also on the 6th, a barking dog was heard in Cartwright; the area was searched with negative results.

A caller on the 8th told police a driver in the Center was operating a vehicle with an obstructed view.

A North Ferry employee reported that a person had refused to pay the fare on March 8. He subsequently agreed to pay.

In other incidents: three lost and found reports were logged in; four residents were helped in their homes, a false 911 call was recorded; officers performed court duty; one vehicle was unlocked with the keys inside; and administrative reports were filed with the state.

Alarms

The Shelter Island Fire Department (SIFD) responded to a carbon monoxide alarm in the Center on March 3, set off due to painting. Carpet cleaning activated another carbon monoxide alarm in the Heights on March 3.

A medical pendant alert on the 3rd in Silver Beach resulted in a lift assist. On the 4th, the SIFD responded to a smoke alarm in West Neck, set off by a detector problem.

On the 7th, a burglary alarm in Harbor View found all doors and windows secured.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported two cases to Southampton Hospital on March 2 and 5 and one to Eastern Long Island Hospital on March 5. Transport to a hospital on March 3 was refused.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter — March 3-10 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Summonses

Barbara E. Debevoise of Shelter Island was driving on New York Avenue on March 11 when she was given a ticket by police for operating a vehicle with the driver’s side view obstructed.

On March 12, James D. Dougherty of Shelter Island was ticketed on North Ferry Road for failure to stop at a stop sign.

Police conducted 16 traffic, radar and distracted driving stops between March 9 and 15 in the Center, the Heights and Menantic, resulting in two tickets and 12 warnings.

Accidents

Sean R. Charters of Greenport was driving south on South Ferry Road on March 15 when a deer ran onto the roadway, hitting the front driver’s side of his vehicle. Damage was estimated at over $1,000; no injuries were reported.

Other reports

A front door alarm was activated on March 9 in Menantic; an officer found the residence to be secure.

A caller reported an EZPASS problem with an account on March 9 for information purposes.

On March 10, a dog at large was reported in the Center; the area was canvassed with negative results. On that date, police also investigated the possibility of illegal activity in a Center woods.

Multiple scam phone calls were reported to police on March 11; the caller was advised to contact the phone provider about blocking unsolicited calls.

On the same day, a Hay Beach resident told police about hearing banging noises outside her house. Officers checked the residence with negative results.

The next day, a caller told police that a person had attempted several times to have a conversation in public that made the caller feel uneasy. Police contacted the person and advised her to avoid any further contact.

Also on the 12th, two youths were seen on camera entering a Tarkettle property to access a bulkhead. The caller did not wish to press charges but wanted the youths advised to stay off his property,

A social security scam was reported on the 12th for information purposes.

Personnel at a Center store reported a person putting an item into his backpack and attempting to leave without paying. The item was subsequently paid for and the store owner declined to prosecute.

On March 13, a dead seal pup was reported on Ram Island. An animal control officer contacted the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, as advised by the DEC, and officers assisted with transporting the seal for a necropsy.

The same day, the Shelter Island Fire Department responded to a small back porch and shingle siding fire in the Center. The resident explained that she had thrown an old incense candle out on the porch and it had immediately caught fire.

Also on the 13th, police were informed that two garbage bags had been found on a Center property, with envelopes addressed to a neighbor inside. The caller took the garbage to the Recycling Center, and an officer interviewed the neighbor who said he had left the garbage outside his front door and that the high winds must have blown it across the roadway. He was advised about local and state littering laws.

A caller asked police on March 14 to assist in the return of a bicycle; the person involved said the bicycle would be dropped off that day or the next.

The same day, a Menantic caller reported on an unwanted conversation that made her uneasy. Police advised the subject to avoid any further contact with the caller.

Also on the 14th, a floating dock was reported drifting in West Neck Harbor; a marine unit secured it at a Montclair town landing until the owner could be identified.

Police were informed of an easement dispute in the Center on March 15. The complainant was concerned that medical emergency vehicles would be unable to access the easement.

In other reports during the week, police unlocked two vehicles with the keys inside, responded to a lost and found report and attended anti-bias training in Brentwood.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Service teams transported two cases to Eastern Long Island Hospital on March 11 and 14 and two cases to Southampton Hospital on March 11 and 13.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter: March 10-16 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Summonses

Maira C. Miralles Lozada of East Hampton was driving on New York Avenue on March 17 when she was stopped by police and ticketed for operating a vehicle while using a portable electronic device.

Police conducted 14 traffic, distracted driving and radar enforcement stops on March 16, 17, 18, 21 and 22 in the Center, the Heights, Menantic and Cartwright, resulting in 11 warnings and one ticket. A parking ticket was also issued in the Heights on March 22.

Accidents

William C. Cooper of Amityville was driving south on North Ferry Road on March 20 when a deer ran onto the roadway and hit his vehicle, causing over $1,000 in damage to the driver’s-side front quarter panel.

Other reports

A commercial alarm in the Center on March 16 was caused by a person who was too slow in entering the code; there was no emergency.

Also on the 16th, a woman reported receiving several scam emails that she delated. She was advised to block the senders and to place a fraud alert with three major U.S. credit reporting agencies if she believed her identity had been stolen.

On the 18th, police investigated a call that someone had entered a West Neck property and damaged a utility tent.

A North Ferry employee reported seeing on March 19 a bright flash, possibly from a transformer in the Heights area. Police canvassed the area with negative results and noted that there were no power outages in the vicinity.

While on patrol on March 20, an officer noted low-hanging wires from a pole in Menantic; PSEG was notified. Also on that date, the Shelter Island Fire Department responded to an activated second-floor smoke detector in a West Neck residence. There were no problems and the owner was advised to have the alarm company check the detectors.

A North Ferry employee reported on March 20 that packages had been left at the terminal and had not been picked up. The owner was notified and the packages retrieved.

On March 21, a caller complained that a Heights owner was clearing property in violation of a Heights Property Owners Corporation policy. An officer, while not having the authority to enforce an HPOC policy, spoke to the owner who will follow up with the Heights.

The next day, police investigated a report of a possible open burn in Menantic — a town code violation. The area was canvassed and the complaint was determined to be unfounded.

In other reports during the week, police assisted two residents in their homes, responded to three lost and found reports, investigated an open 911 call, opened two vehicles with the keys locked inside and assisted with the Island’s Covid vaccinations at the school.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported four cases to Eastern Long Island Hospital on March 17, 19 and 21. A fifth case was treated at home on March 18 and transportation refused.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter — March 17-23 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Police arrested Travis O. Maker, 39, of Greenport on March 28 at 12:33 p.m. in Southold on three bench warrants issued by Shelter Island Justice Court. The first was for criminal contempt in the 1st degree, criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon in the 4th, possession of a controlled substance in the 7th and possession of marijuana in the 2nd. The second was for criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the 2nd, possession of marijuana in the 2nd and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th. The third warrant was issued for criminal possession of a stolen property in the 3rd and possession of a controlled substance in the 7th.

Mr. Walker was transported to the Shelter Island Police Department headquarters, processed, held for arraignment and was later released by the court on his own recognizance.

Traffic reports

Police conducted 11 traffic and distracted driving stops on March 23, 24, 26 and 29 in the Center, Heights and West Neck, resulting in seven warnings and no tickets.

Other reports

Police were told about an email scam on March 23 and advised the complainant to change her email password.

A caller informed police on that date that a container had been placed on a roadway in Menantic for temporary storage purposes during construction.

Police opened a confidential investigation on March 23.

On the 25th, an anonymous caller reported yelling in the West Neck area. An officer located a person who was singing outside on her porch. She was advised to keep the sound down to a reasonable level.

A domestic dispute was documented by a caller on March 25 with a request for an extra patrol in the area of the Center residence. The person was given a domestic rights form and referred to additional resources.

Police received a call from a Silver Beach resident who reported that a drone was flying over his property and looking into the windows of his residence. An officer canvassed the area and was unable to locate the drone or its operator.

A water main break at a West Neck residence was called in on March 26; a repair service was notified.

On March 27, a sick raccoon on Ram Island was reported; an animal control officer searched the area with no results.

An injured deer was seen in the Center on March 27 but had gone when an officer arrived.

A lost cat in the Center was reported on March 29 but returned home on its own.

A Ram Island resident told police that household garbage had been overflowing out of a garbage bin for several days and had blown off the property and onto the roadway. Shelter Island Environmental was contacted.

Also on the 29th, an officer observed a landscape trailer blocking a lane; traffic cones were set out and the owner notified to remove the trailer by the next day.

In other reports during the week: police conducted DARE programs (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) for 6th and 8th graders; answered a false 911 call; attended anti-bias training in Brentwood; conducted school crossings; hosted a pre-K tour of police headquarters; followed up on two well-being checks; took part in training at the Suffolk County Police Academy; responded to three lost and found reports; and assisted a resident in the home.

Alarms

A tamper/smoke alarm was set off at a Hay Beach residence on March 24 due to cooking. The Shelter Island Fire Department (SIFD) was informed.

A smoke alarm wire was accidentally cut at the Café Washington in the Heights on March 25; the SIFD responded.

A residential alarm went off in the Center on March 26; security was notified about problems with the system.

The SIFD responded to a carbon monoxide alarm in Hay Beach on the 27th; it could have been activated due to a brief power outage.

On March 29, a Ram Island residence was found secure after an alarm was set off, likely due to high winds. In Silver Beach on that day, the SIFD said a boiler heater detector may have been tripped by construction workers.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported eight cases to Eastern Long Island Hospital on March 23, 25, 27 and 28. Two other cases refused medical transport.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter: March 25- 30 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Kurt W. Schmalz, 51, of Medford was arrested on April 1 at 1:08 p.m. on Shelter Island and charged with harassment in the 2nd degree. The arrest was the result of a police investigation of a complaint about a domestic incident.

Mr. Schmalz was arraigned in Shelter Island Justice Court, released on his own recognizance and ordered to return to court at a later date. An order of protection was issued on behalf of his alleged victim.

Summonses

David G. Neese of Shelter Island was stopped by police on North Midway Road on April 5 and ticketed for having inadequate or no lights.

Police conducted 15 distracted driving and traffic stops in the Center and Menantic on March 30 and 31 and April 1 through April 5, resulting in 12 warnings and one ticket.

Other reports

A Center caller requested an extra patrol on March 30 after items were moved and possibly tampered with at his location.

On March 31, a Peconic Land Trust employee asked about a report of skeet shooting off Reel Point, which is owned by the Trust and open to the public. Police advised the caller that skeet shooting is legal on all town beaches.

A Center caller reported loud construction noise on March 31. Police spoke to a person placing logs in a dumpster with an excavator. He said he would try to keep the noise down.

On April 2, there was an investigation regarding a registered sex offender from another police jurisdiction; the case was turned over to the Houston, Tex. Police Department.

An anonymous caller told police on April 3 about a person walking in the middle of a Center road. An officer responded and saw the person on the wrong side of the road with a jacket over her head. He advised her to walk on the correct side for her own safety.

A caller on April 3 told police she had overheard people saying they were going to take rocks from a beach in Silver Beach. An officer told her that taking rocks from a beach does not violate any town code.

A loud party was reported in Menantic on April 3. An officer responded, issued a verbal warning and the music was turned off.

Police were told about a suspicious vehicle parked at the end of a Center street on April 3. When an officer arrived, the vehicle was gone.

Loud music was reported in the Center on April 4; the area was searched with negative results.

On the same day, a caller told police there was smoke in a Center area. Police found a person burning downed tree limbs and was advised to put the fire out. Also on the 4th, gunshots were reported in the Center behind the caller’s house. The area was searched and the source not located.

Fraudulent credit card activity was reported on the 5th for informational purposes. That day, a West Neck resident told police a vehicle was parked along the roadway with the engine running. The owner was contacted.

Also on the 5th, a Center caller said someone, unknown, was attempting to open the front door; police responded, and saw no sign of criminal activity but canvassed the area.

In other incidents during the week, police unlocked a vehicle with the keys inside, assisted a motorist with a seatbelt, conducted a well-being check, jumpstarted a vehicle, assisted a resident in the home, responded to a lost-and-found call and completed administrative duties for the Suffolk County Police.

ANIMAL INCIDENTS

On April 2, a dog was reported barking for an hour in Cartwright; an officer canvassed the area with negative results. On the 3rd, an owner reported a lost dog in West Neck. The dog had chased after a deer. A second caller said a dog of a similar description had been located. An animal control officer connected the two callers, and the dog and owner were reunited.

On April 5, a Hay Beach resident reported that someone was making noise downstairs in the kitchen. An officer searched the residence and found no signs of attempted or forced entry, unlocked or open windows and no items reported missing or moved. A family cat, who had been missing overnight, appeared during the search and was likely the cause of the noise.

Alarms

A motion detector alarm was set off on March 30 at Chase Bank; a bank representative said there was no negative motion recorded on the surveillance video.

Also on the 30th, an officer heard an audible alarm in the Center. Employees said they had started up a truck inside the shop, likely setting the alarm off.

The Shelter Island Fire Department (SIFD) responded to a fire alarm in the Heights on March 31 at what appeared to be an unoccupied residence. A light was on in the attic and there seemed to have been a recent installation of wires. There was no fire or emergency, according to the SIFD chief.

A residential alarm was activated in Silver Beach on April 5; the home was secure and no problems were noted.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services teams transported two people to Eastern Long Island Hospital on March 30 and 31.

The post Shelter Island Police Department blotter: March 30-April 6 appeared first on Shelter Island Reporter.

Summonses

Three tickets were issued on April 8. Jodi L. Stein Iannucci of Massapequa was ticketed on Ram Island Road for failure to stop at a stop sign. Nicolo Modonesi of Westhampton was driving on North Ferry Road when he was given a summons for failure to stop at a stop sign and for driving at a speed not reasonable and prudent.

Police conducted 16 traffic and distracted driving stops on April 6, 8, 10 and 12 in the Center, Menantic and the Heights, resulting in 12 warnings and three tickets.

Other reports

A Center caller requested an extra patrol on April 6 after hearing gunshots in the area the previous evening.

On the 7th, an anonymous caller reported people were jumping off a West Neck owner’s private dock. They were gone when an officer arrived.

That day, police responded to a Longview caller who reported her smoke detector had been set off due to cooking and she needed help in shutting the alarm off.

Police checked on a man reported sleeping in his vehicle in West Neck with the windows rolled up. An officer found the person awake, who said he was just resting after a long walk.

The next day, a caller told police he was told an unknown person was looking for him to serve him papers. Police were unable to get more information.

On April 9, a caller reported low-hanging wires by the entrance to Wades Beach. Police notified both Verizon and PSEG.

That day, a caller reported fireworks in the Center; an officer searched the area with negative results.

On April 10, police investigated a report from a Longview resident that property was missing from his backyard. An officer located it where it had fallen behind a bush.

A burglary alarm in Menantic was activated on April 10; police checked the outside of the residence, which was locked and secure; there were no signs of any criminal activity.

On the 10th, a Heights caller told police about hearing approximately 10 rounds of gunshots. An officer searched the area with negative results.

Loud music was reported in West Neck on April 11; the area was canvassed but the source was not located.

A caller reported finding an unidentified bone on a beach in Silver Beach, possibly washed up during a high tide. The bone was likely from a deer but was logged in by police.

Police received a report on April 11 that trees were being cut down on town property — a wetlands area — possibly in violation. The complaint was forwarded to the DEC.

Also on the 11th, police investigated an ongoing neighbor dispute that resulted in a verbal altercation. Loud music was reported in West Neck; a neighbor turned the music down without incident.

On April 12, police looked into a case of possible workplace harassment in Menantic.

Police investigated a property dispute about yard markers on town property in the Center on April 12. The markers were moved to an appropriate location so as not to block the shoulder of the roadway being used by motorists.

That day, police opened a confidential investigation into drugs.

In other reports, police responded to two lost and found reports, assisted at the Island-wide COVID vaccination at the school, attended bias and de-escalation training sessions at the Suffolk County Police Academy, conducted DARE programs for sixth graders and performed various administrative duties for county and state.

ANIMAL INCIDENTS

On April 7, an injured turkey in the Center with two broken legs was transported to a vet for humane euthanasia.

Animal control officers (ACOs) responded to two animal wildlife incidents in West Neck and the Center on April 8.

An ACO captured a dog at large in the Center on April 9 and returned it to his owner.

On April 11, an ACO transported an injured rabbit to a wildlife rehab center.

Aided cases

Shelter Island Emergency Medical Service teams transported one person to Eastern Long Island Hospital on April 6 and responded to two other cases on April 7 and 12.

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