REMOTE SUPPORT
Please find and view the most up to date news and information regarding the Town of New Windsor Police Department listed below.
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.
The New Windsor Police Department recently became the first and only police agency in Orange County to participate in New York’s Mobile Access Program (MAP) for use on mental health related calls. Funded through the New York State Senate and in cooperation with the New York State Office of Mental Health, this program equips select NY Police Departments and local Mental Health clinicians with iPads to utilize Zoom type teleconference calls for mental healthcare purposes. The program provides another option for Police Officers to have when they require some assistance in evaluating a situation when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. The 3 iPads we received use a HIPAA compliant teleconferencing software for mental health consultations. The primary goal of the MAP program is to increase police access to timely mental health consultations and evaluations which should result in less waiting for a mental health professional to respond to the scene, less transports by the police to the hospital and for better planning for follow-up care of the individual involved. The New Windsor Police Department responded to 298 mental health crisis calls in 2021. Additionally, every sworn-member of the New Windsor Police Department has received special training in how to best manage a situation when an individual is in mental health crisis. Shown in the photo are: Don Kamin, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Police, Mental Health & Community Collaboration, Deb Salamone, Project Coordinator for MAP and Sgt. Christopher Sylvester.
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #23-12 Issued on: August 14, 2023
The New Windsor Police Department has announced a new program to aid members of vulnerable populations. The department has created a voluntary registry where family members may supply vital information about loved ones who are prone to wandering. This may include individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury or any other type of special needs, physical or mental disability.
Participation in this program is completely voluntary and information provided will be kept at the Police Department and only used when necessary to identify or locate a missing or wandering person. In the event of an emergency, this information can allow officers to quickly and efficiently handle any incident that may arise. It provides officers with relevant and pertinent details that aid in identifying and reconnecting vulnerable persons with their loved one when minutes count.
New Windsor Police Chief, Dan Valeri stated, “Often times, police officers encounter individuals who may not be able to identify themselves or provide their home address. Being able to search the registry, can assist officers in identifying these individuals and getting them home safely. Additionally, when a family member needs to report their loved one missing, the necessary information is already available for police to disseminate and begin a search.”
The goal of the program is to promote community safety, improve officer safety, increase the efficiency of operations, and give community members some peace of mind for loved ones that may be prone to wandering.
Registration forms are available online by clicking HERE or in person at the Police Department or Town Clerk, Kelly Allegra’s Office. For further information about the program, contact Sgt. Sylvester at 563-4660.
Jessica Lopez, also known as Yessica Lopez, was reported missing to the City of Newburgh Police Department on November 3, 2019. Investigation into her whereabouts has now shown that the last place she was seen was the Windsor Motel on Rt 9W in the Town of New Windsor in the early morning hours of November 3, 2019. Ms. Lopez has not been heard from since and she is missing under suspicious circumstances.
Ms. Lopez’s silver 2005 Toyota Camry, NY Registration JDC9597, has been located by police at Showtime Cinema on Rt 300 in the Town of Newburgh, as previously reported. Police are now asking for the community’s help in determining where her vehicle traveled on Sunday, November 3, 2019 before it was parked at Showtime Cinema. Anyone having seen Ms. Lopez’s vehicle (see photos) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on November 3, 2019 is asked to contact police at (845)565-7000. We are also urging local businesses and homeowners to review their security camera footage during this timeframe to see if her vehicle happens to be captured on video. The Town of New Windsor Police Department is now the lead agency investigating this missing person report. Since taking over the investigation, police investigators have followed up on over 200 leads. In addition to following up on leads, over the past several days an extensive ground search has been undertaken in the Northern New Windsor area including areas in the City and Town of Newburgh. Assisting the New Windsor Police in this investigation is: The New York State Police, Town & City of Newburgh Police Departments, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center, New York State DEC Police and Forest Rangers, DEA, Orange & Putnam County Sheriff’s Offices, Westchester County Police Dept., and the Ramapo Search & Rescue. This matter is still under active investigation and police are continuing to follow up on several leads. Anyone that may know something about Ms. Lopez’s whereabouts is urged to call the New Windsor Police immediately at (845)565-7000. Additional press releases will be distributed by the New Windsor Police Department when more information becomes available. See vehicle photos provided. Thank you.
On February 8, 2021, Police Officer Christopher D. Deets retired from the Town police force. Officer Deets was recognized with a Service Achievement Award by Town Supervisor George J. Meyers III and Police Chief Robert L. Doss at a walk out ceremony. Supervisor Meyers stated, “Officer Deets is leaving the Police Department in a better place than when he found it and anytime you can say that, it means the officer did a good job. I wish the best for Officer Deets and his family”. Chief Doss stated, “Officer Deets has been awarded for saving 4 lives over the course of his career here. I think that says it all about his hard work and dedication to serving the community. I commend him for his service to the Town and we will miss him.” Also, on hand for the ceremony was Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and Orange County Commissioner of Emergency Service Brendan Casey who recognized Officer Deets for his military service with the U.S. Army and his police service to the County.
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.
The New Windsor Police Department recently achieved agency re-accreditation through the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. The re-accreditation certification is good through June of 2026. The Police Department has been continuously accredited since 1996. In the first photo, supervisors of the department pose with the newly received NYS Accreditation Certificate. A second photo shows Lt. Daniel J. Valeri, our accreditation manager, receiving the John Kimball O’Neil Certificate of Achievement in recognition of his leadership and dedication to the accreditation program.
What does maintaining NYS Law Enforcement Accreditation mean and why is it important?
The NYS Law Enforcement Accreditation Program provides formal recognition that an agency meets or exceeds general expectations of quality in the field. The program has four principal goals:
In essence, accreditation acknowledges the implementation of policies that are conceptually sound and operationally effective. The cornerstone of the Accreditation Program lies in established standards that contain a clear statement of professional requirements. Agencies participating in the program conduct a thorough analysis of their organization to determine how existing operations can be adapted to meet established standards. When an agency adopts policies and procedures that meet the standards, a team of independent professionals conducts an on-site assessment to verify that all applicable standards have been successfully implemented. This process culminates with a decision by the NYS Law Enforcement Accreditation Council that the agency is worthy of accreditation.