Please find and view the most up to date news and information regarding the Town of New Windsor Police Department listed below.
The Town of New Windsor Police Department is pleased to announce the receipt and installation of the Axis Body Worn Camera system for the members of the Department. The Department received 50 Cameras at a total one-time cost of $37,600. This includes integration into the existing server platform which meets CJIS Federal and New York State DCJS requirements for storage and security. $29,000 of the $37,600 was donated from businesses and community stakeholders from throughout the Town. These body cameras will help to increase transparency, public trust, and confidence with the Public as well as assist in investigations. With Pricing quotes coming in as high as $234,000, the Department was very happy to be put in contact with the Axis Communications from our Town IT (internet technology) Department. Axis is already a vendor with the Town for their security camera platform which is utilized at numerous Town owned property. By going with the Axis Company, New Windsor Police is the first Department in the Tri-state area to utilize their camera system. The camera had great results during the test phase and with a one-time cost of $37,600 it became apparent that Axis was the right company for this task. Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “The implementation of this body camera technology in New Windsor is a huge step forward for us. Supervisor Meyers and I moved this project along as quickly as we did because we felt it was a great way to add to the level of transparency that the community expects from its police. These body cameras will not only contribute to further enhance the trust level that the New Windsor community has in its police force but they will also enhance officer safety. I want to thank the businesses in town that donated towards the costs of the project. Their generosity took a majority of the costs off of the taxpayers. Also, Patrick Mangan of our town’s Information Technology Department, played a huge role in this project’s success and its implementation. I think this whole project is a great example of how the police and the community can work together to get things done for the benefit of everyone involved.”
On January 27, 2021, the New Windsor Police Department arrested William M. Hinspeter, 48-years old of New Windsor, NY for stealing from the New Windsor Little League organization after a four-month long investigation by Detectives. Mr. Hinspeter, who formerly served the New Windsor Little League organization as its President, made a series of unauthorized debit card cash withdrawals for his own personal use between the dates of October 1, 2018 and August 31, 2020. Mr. Hinspeter was arraigned on a criminal charge of Petit Larceny in New Windsor Justice Court. He plead guilty to the charge in the presence of his attorney and he was sentenced to a conditional discharge. Additionally, Mr. Hinspeter has paid $6,500. in restitution back to the New Windsor Little League organization.
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.
COMMUNITY REMINDER
Addiction Assistance Offered by New Windsor P.D.
The New Windsor Police Department would like to remind the community that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. Addiction and mental health disorders are a serious problem in our country, but there is hope! Our close partnership with Hope Not Handcuffs provides a way for those suffering with addiction to get the help they need. We are here to help. Just walk into the Police Department lobby and you will be met with dignity and respect as you begin the road to recovery and the journey to taking your life back.
On January 8, 2021 New Windsor Police Officer Joseph Bell and K-9 Duke graduated from the Narcotics Detection School that was hosted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The 8-week school was a hands-on training with the Officer and the K-9 where they are instructed in how to seek out and find Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamines and Ecstasy. The school also included basic obedience and was conducted under all different environments in order to prepare the dog for real world encounters.
This will be Officer Joseph Bell’s first time assigned to a K-9 Unit. He brings over 15 years of experience as a Police Officer with him to this detail.
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.
Orange County News For Immediate Release Contact: Christopher Borek November 6, 2020 845.291.3276, 845.238.4245c
District Attorney Hoovler Announces Murder Charges
In Death of Missing City of Newburgh Woman
Man Indicted for Murdering 36-Year-Old Woman
Victim Missing Since November 3, 2019
Body of Victim Not Recovered
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on Friday, November 6, 2020, that Matthew Mercado, 37, of Newburgh, was arraigned before Orange County Court Judge William L. DeProspo on charges including Murder in the Second Degree, in connection with the death of 36-year-old Jessica Lopez, a City of Newburgh woman who was last seen on November 3, 2019, at the Windsor Motel in the Town of New Windsor.
Mercado had previously been indicted on charges including Burglary in the Second Degree for breaking into room 32 of the Windsor Motel on November 3, 2019, at about 1:35 AM, and stealing two bags from the three young woman who had been sleeping in the room at the time. Mercado has been continually incarcerated since his arrest on November 6, 2019, in connection with those charges. The District Attorney’s Office superseded that case in the Grand Jury and asked the Grand Jury to consider additional evidence concerning the disappearance of Jessica Lopez, who had been staying with Mercado in room 33 of the Windsor Motel the night of Saturday, November 2, 2019, into the morning of Sunday, November 3, 2019. The Grand Jury indicted Mercado for Murder in the Second Degree for intentionally killing Jessica Lopez in room 33 of the motel as Ms. Lopez was attempting to leave the motel at approximately 5:00 AM on November 3, 2019. The Grand Jury also indicted Mercado for a separate count of Murder in the Second Degree for having killed Ms. Lopez during the commission of a robbery or kidnapping of her. Robbery under the law is forcibly stealing property. Mercado is charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree for having stolen Ms. Lopez bank card and stealing approximately $1,500 from her account, most of which was taken out in ATM withdrawals starting at approximately 9:00 AM on November 3, 2019.
Mercado is also charged with three felony counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence. One count alleges that he removed Ms. Lopez’s body from room 33, placed her in the trunk of her car, drove the car to an unknown location and concealed the body. Another count alleges that he deleted text messages between her cellular telephone and his cellular telephone, messages that were sent at about 5:30 AM on November 3, 2019. The third count of Tampering with Physical Evidence alleges that he disposed of Ms. Lopez’s cellular telephone so it could not be used as evidence.
The Grand Jury indicted Mercado again for Burglary in the Second Degree for breaking into room 32 and stealing bags from the three young woman, and added a charge of Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree for Mercado having told the three young woman that he would not give their bags back and that he was an undercover police officer.
Bail was set in the amount of one-million dollars cash, or three-million dollars secured bond, or ten-million dollars partially secured bond. The case is next scheduled for a virtual conference in County Court on December 2, 2020. Mercado faces up to twenty-five years to life in state prison on the charges of Murder in the Second Degree and up to an additional fifteen years in state prison on the charge of Burglary in the Second Degree.
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their investigation and unceasing efforts in the case, as well as the many law enforcement agencies that aided in the investigation, including the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the City of Newburgh Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police, and the New York State Police, as well as the civilian volunteers who have searched for Jessica Lopez.
“By all accounts Jessica Lopez was a remarkable young woman and her loss is being severely felt by her family, friends, and many of her former students,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “While recovering her remains will continue to be a high priority for us, we are fully prepared to litigate this case even without her body being recovered. Murder convictions without bodies are permissible under the law and in fact such convictions have occurred before here in Orange County. My heartfelt condolences go out to Ms. Lopez’s family, and my office will do everything in our power to see that the person responsible for her death faces just punishment.”
Chief Robert Doss of the Town of New Windsor Police Department said, “I would like to thank every member of the New Windsor Police Department that worked so diligently on this investigation. It is because of their hard work, along with the assistance of all the other police agencies, that made a difference in this case. I also want to thank District Attorney David Hoovler and his staff for their unwavering support through the process. We will never forget the family of Jessica Lopez, who have been without her in their lives for over a year now. Her mother, father and brother, all live with the constant pain of her loss. I speak for every member of Law Enforcement that worked on this investigation when I say that we stand with them and we will continue to fight for Jessica every day until justice is brought in this case. Our hearts go out to her family and we will continue to pray for them. It is my hope that the news of this indictment will at least begin the process of closure to Jessica’s family and everyone that knew her.”
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Borek and Senior Assistant District Attorney Kelle Grimmer.
Jessica Lopez