Town of New Windsor Police Press Releases

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Please find and view the most up to date news and information regarding the Town of New Windsor Police Department listed below.

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PRESS RELEASE

New Windsor P.D. Receives Implicit-Bias Awareness Training

Release Date – August 25, 2020:  

            The Town of New Windsor Police Department recently completed a training in the specialized area of implicit-bias awareness.  This recently updated and state-of-the-art training, known as Fair and Impartial Policing was taught to all 50 sworn-members of the Police Department by an instructor from the nation’s #1 provider of this type of training.  This very sought after training is currently being taught to police agencies of all types and sizes around the country, including many major cities. 

            The training aims to educate Officers about how implicit biases can have negative consequences on an Officer’s perceptions and behavior as they do their job.  This specific training curriculum is unique because it takes a science based approach to train Officers in the use of new skills that they can use to reduce and manage any biases that they may have.  These same skills have been shown to promote working in a more safe, just and effective manner.   

            Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “This training continues our ongoing commitment to serve the community in a courteous, impartial and fair way.  There is simply no place for prejudice or discrimination in police work.  While we already have written policies in place that directly reflect these fundamental principles, this training really took a hands-on approach to reinforce to us how some implicit biases can negatively impact even the most well-intentioned Officer’s actions.  I am hopeful that this training helps build upon the exceptional level of trust that our community has graciously bestowed upon us over the years.”

Photo: A group of Police Officers participate in the Fair and Impartial Policing training while practicing safe COVID-19 protocols.

PRESS RELEASE


Police Arrest Man in Connection to Flag Pole Vandalism Incidents


This is a joint press release by New Windsor & Washingtonville Police Departments


Release Date – August 14, 2020:


The Town of New Windsor Police Department arrested a man today in connection with two flag poles being cut down in the Town of New Windsor. The first incident was reported on July 9th at a commercial strip mall on Windsor Highway and the second incident was reported at a cemetery on Erie Ave. on July 10th. Additionally, this same man was charged by the Village of Washingtonville Police Department for their July 8th incidents involving the cutting down of a flagpole at their 911 memorial and for vandalism to a church owned sign in their village.


Arrested was: Andre P. Narbonne, 40 years old, of the Town of New Windsor. He was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Mischief, second degree (class D felonies), 1 count of Criminal Mischief, third degree (class E felony) and 1 count of Criminal Mischief, fourth degree (class A misdemeanor). Mr. Narbonne was arraigned by New Windsor Town Justice George J. Meyers IV. Mr. Narbonne was released without bail due to the charges in this case being non-bail qualifying offenses under the new bail reform provisions of the law. Mr. Narbonne is scheduled appear in New Windsor Town Court on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. and in the Village of Washingtonville Court on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. for further court action.


Mr. Narbonne left the area for the State of Washington just after committing the crimes in New Windsor and this delayed his arrest until recently when he returned to New York.


New Windsor Police Chief Robert L. Doss commented on the two New Windsor incidents, “I am very proud of the New Windsor Police Officers that were able to identify Mr. Narbonne as the perpetrator of these crimes and I am very thankful to our Law Enforcement partners that assisted us in this investigation. These deeply disturbing incidents involving flag poles being cut down in New Windsor are disgraceful and offensive. The fact that both flag poles involved were proudly flying American flags when they were cut down just adds to the outrageousness of these crimes. Our country’s flag has been an inspiring symbol of democracy, justice and freedom for over 200 years. It is sickening to me that someone could do something like this while not caring about the sacrifices that have been suffered by those who have defended our freedom.”

Village of Washingtonville Police Chief Brian Zaccaro commented on the incidents that occurred in Washingtonville, “Today brings some closure from the unsettling incidents that were discovered in the Town of New Windsor and the Village of Washingtonville early this past July. This individual would have never
expected that the damage he deliberately caused would have resulted in the mass outpouring from the community and the attention of the nation. While there is some negative publicity that law enforcement has been receiving lately, I want to point out that this arrest, is a perfect example of how different law enforcement agencies work closely together every single day to solve crimes. If it was not for the dedicated and professional men and women in our law enforcement agencies, crimes like these could easily go unsolved. But that did not happen here, we worked tirelessly and shared information with each other so we could bring closure to both our great communities. I am profoundly proud of the hard work that everyone did to bring someone to justice on these cases.” 

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler stated, “Obviously, the deliberate defacing and destruction of flag-poles and property in areas set aside to remember the fallen heroes of September 11, 2001, and at places of religious worship is especially distressing to all in the community. I am deeply grateful for the hard-work, professionalism and cooperation that our local, state and federal law enforcement partners have shown in this investigation, which is emblematic of their overall untiring efforts to protect all Orange County’s residents and property.”

The Town of New Windsor Police Department and the Village of Washingtonville Police Department were assisted in this investigation by several partner Law Enforcement agencies. They include: the New York State Police, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the U.S. Marshall’s Service, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office,
the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center. 

Anyone with additional information regarding these crimes can contact the New Windsor Police Department at (845)565-7000 or the Village of Washingtonville Police Department at (845)496-9123.



Photos:
1. Shows a subject standing next to a flagpole at a commercial strip mall on Windsor Highway in New Windsor as it is being cutting it down and the American Flag is seen coming down with it.
2. Shows the damaged flagpole at Washingtonville 911 Memorial and the writing left on pole

The New Windsor Police Department and the Village of Washingtonville Department will not be releasing the booking photograph of Mr. Narbonne due to it now being prohibited under New York Public Officers Law, Section 89, which was amended in mid-2019 to prohibit the release of booking photographs due to it being an “unwarranted invasion of personal privacy” unless it serves a Law Enforcement purpose.


A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
 

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PRESS RELEASE


Police assist first person into ‘Hope Not Handcuffs’ program for treatment


Release Date – August 12, 2020:


         The Town of New Windsor Police Department assisted its first person into the Hope Not Handcuffs
program today, just more than a week after the program went live with the department. The person heard
about the program and walked into to the Police Department lobby looking for help with his drug addiction.
He was soon greeted by Officer Anthony Weed and Officer Brian Levy, who began the first steps in the process
with him. As part of the program, the Officers contacted a volunteer ‘angel’ to respond to the police station to
complete the process of locating a treatment facility for the individual.


         Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “It is my hope that this is just the first of many people who will come
to the Police Department for help with their addictions. We all know that there are several people in our
community that are battling with addiction related issues every day. I want people to understand that we are
here to help and to assist them in any way possible. It is a huge moment in a person’s life when they finally
decide that they just can’t live a certain way anymore and they decide to do something about it. This program
works but it can only work with community trust in the Police Department. This man trusted us when he had
nowhere else to turn and we were able to help him begin his journey to recovery. It is truly a wonderful thing
to be able to help people in this way.”


Photo: Officer Brian Levy (L) and Officer Anthony Weed (R) stand near the new Hope Not Handcuffs sign at
Police Headquarters



       The Hope Not Handcuffs organization works with local law enforcement agencies to provide support. A
person struggling with any addiction can voluntarily walk in to a participating Police Department, like in New
Windsor, and ask for help. They will be greeted with support, compassion and respect. A trained Angel
volunteer will be called to the station to help find treatment. The Hope Not Handcuffs program is a
community outreach program designed to reach people struggling with drug addiction to encourage them to
seek recovery and regain control of their lives. It is community members taking care of community members.