Sheriff`s 2008 Annual Report

OTSEGO COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
RICHARD J. DEVLIN, JR
SHERIFF
172 County Highway 33W
Cooperstown, New York 13326
CAMERON S. ALLISON
UNDERSHERIFF
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the men and women of the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, it is with pride and
honor that I present this 2008 Annual Report. The purpose of this report is to present you with a
brief review our 2008 accomplishments and hopefully a better understanding of the services we
provide.
Although the demands of the office continue to grow, we strive to meet these challenges by
staying sharply focused on providing quality service to all the residents, businesses and visitors
of the county. Even though we are all challenged by the current fiscal climate, the residents of
Otsego County can rest assured that every member of Otsego County Sheriff’s Office takes
their oath of office seriously, and we will continue to provide the best possible public service for
your hard earned tax dollars.
I am pleased every day by the professional actions exhibited by the Deputies, Officers and
Staff of our office; the following pages share those accomplishments with you. I welcome any
thoughts you may have after reviewing this report and you have my guarantee that the Otsego
County Sheriff’s Office looks forward to continuing to serve and protect Otsego County, in order
to make Otsego County a safe place in which to live, work or visit.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Devlin, Jr.
Sheriff
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Administration
Civil Division
Pistol Permits
Criminal Division
Corrections Division
Fax Number
607-547-4270
607-547-4271
607-547-6451
607-547-4273
607-547-4252
607-547-6413
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Administration
Civil Division
Pistol Permits
Criminal Division
Corrections Division
Fax Number
607-547-4270
607-547-4271
607-547-6451
607-547-4273
607-547-4252
607-547-6413
Office of the Sheriff
Otsego County
Public Safety Building
172 County Highway 33W
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone 607 547 4270
Fax 607 547 6413
2008 Annual Report
Otsego County Sheriff’s Office
MISSION STATEMENT
“The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office is committed to partnering with the people we
serve in order to prevent crime and injustice. We are driven to enhance the
quality of life of our community as we hold ourselves to the highest standards of
professionalism, performance and ethics.”
In Memoriam,
Yerdon, Ricky A.
CHERRY VALLEY _ Pastor Ricky A. Yerdon, 53, passed away unexpectedly Monday,
June 30, 2008.
He was born Sept. 7, 1954, in Cooperstown, the son of Raymond and Marian (Bouck)
Yerdon. On June 10, 1973, he married Shirley Lockwood in the First Presbyterian Church,
Cherry Valley.
He was a 1972 graduate of Cherry Valley High School. From 1972 until 1979, he served in
the U.S. Army. After his basic training at Ft. Dix, N.J., he received certificates in several
places, including Kornwestheim, Germany and West Point.
He was a self-employed contractor until 1983, when he began working for the Otsego
County Sheriff's Department, most recently as a D.A. investigator.
He was a pastor _ a real pastor, for the past 11 years at the Cherry Valley Assembly of
God Church. His saying was always, "Keep it simple, keep the faith." He was happiest at
church with his church family. He always put God first. He is now walking streets of gold.
Although we will miss him here, he is happier in Heaven.
He was the most honest man known, a loving husband, father and grandfather. His
children were his pride and joy. He always made sure his family was provided for. He was
very well-loved and respected as a man of God and as a man of the law.
He was an avid hunter and enjoyed raising cows.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Shirley Yerdon; two daughters, Annette Plows and
Alisha Yerdon; grandchildren, (his life) Scottie Plows, Cherokee Yerdon, Caleb Yerdon,
Adam Plows; his parents, Raymond Sr. and Marian Yerdon; siblings, Michael, Raymond
Jr., Tim, Cindy Borchert; and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Adam, in 1998 and an uncle, Albert Yerdon.
1
Chapter
Civil Division
Marilynn M. Folts, Sr. Civil Clerk
2008 Report
The Sheriff serves as the enforcement officer of the courts and legal community regarding civil matters.
Within the Sheriff’s Office, the Civil Division serves and executes the various legal processes issued by
the non-criminal courts of the state and its subdivisions, as well as the legal community and the general
public.
Civil Papers Docketed
2008
Total Papers received and
docketed for service
1,499
Income Executions Served
646
Property Executions Served
48
Summons & Complaints Served
805
Total Monies Paid
2008
Treasurer
$97,727
Attorneys
$828,857
Adv. / Storage to Attorneys
$2,250
Total Paid
$928,634
The implementation of a new Civil Process computer based program in
2008 has greatly improved the efficiency and record keeping capabilities of
our Civil Division.
Patrol Division
2
Chapter
2008 Report
The Road Patrol Division is responsible for providing law enforcement services to the
citizens, business and visitors of Otsego County. Under the supervision of Shift
Sergeants, Patrol Deputies are assigned specific zones of patrol on a daily basis. These
zones are patrolled by the Deputies in Marked Patrol Cars, in order to prevent and deter
crime, arrest violators and assist the public while they provide protection to the people of
Otsego County. Deputies are based out of the Public Safety Complex, but spend the
large majority of their tour in their vehicles. Deputies are assigned their own marked patrol
vehicle, which is equipped with a mobile laptop computer, printer, hand-held scanner,
radar, mobile and portable radio, shotgun, digital camera, measuring tape, flares, flashlight
and charger, AED unit, and Alco-sensor. With the advent of wireless capabilities, the
deputies are able to transmit a large amount of their work over the computer system. This
enable the deputies to “stay on the road” and available without having to return to the
building after every complaint. The interconnectivity between the deputy’s computers and
the computers at the public safety building allow reports to be filed in the field and sent
wirelessly to the office.
The Road Patrol Division is comprised of two sergeants and 13 deputies, who enforce all
New York State Laws in the 1,015 square miles of the county. In addition to their day to
day patrol duties, deputies also serve in specialized teams and details that include: K-9,
Marine and Recreational Vehicle, Firearms Training, Accident Investigation, Identification
and Evidence, Special Enforcement Bureau and Police Academy Staff positions.
In 2008, the Road Patrol Division completed numerous hours of training and instruction.
In-service training was conducted in firearms, article 35, airborne / blood borne
communicable diseases, stinger stop sticks, vehicle stops, ballistic shield use, ATV
operation, evidence handling, and rules and regulations review. Deputies additionally
attended advanced training and received certification in specialized courses.
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The information on the following pages is intended to provide a brief overview of some of
the more notable statistics and occurrences during 2008. In that year, total calls for service
were 4241, and the total miles patrolled were 432,751.
Patrol Activity
2008
Uniform Traffic Tickets
2348
DWI Arrests
179
Personal Injury Accidents
86
Property Damage Accidents
395
Fatal Accidents Investigated
1
Misdemeanor Arrests
800
Felony Arrests
276
Total Miles Patrolled
432,751
Total Complaints Handled
4241
3
Otsego County Sheriff’s Office
2008 Notable Incidents
Zone 1
Plainfield, Richfield, Exeter, Otsego
Man faces assault charge
Staff Report
A 68-year-old Fly Creek man was seriously injured during a fight with his roommate Monday, according to Otsego County sheriff's
deputies.
Douglas W. Young, 28, of Cooperstown, was charged with second-degree assault after he allegedly attacked James Hayes at
about 4:25 p.m. at Hayes' single-wide mobile home at 465 Christian Road, deputies said.
Emergency units from the Fly Creek Fire Department and Cooperstown Emergency Squad were dispatched to the home after a
911 call requested an ambulance, according to a media release from deputies.
When the first rescue workers arrived, they encountered Young outside the home bleeding from both wrists, and they also
observed a knife on the ground, deputies said. Hayes was inside the home yelling for help, they added.
Young assaulted Hayes by punching and kicking him, deputies said; Young then left the home and used a knife to create
superficial wounds to his wrists.
Both men were taken to Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. Young was treated and released and Hayes was
scheduled for surgery for his injuries, which included a broken right femur, deputies said.
Hayes was in stable condition, Bassett officials said Monday night.
Young was arraigned in Otsego Town Court and sent to Otsego County jail on $15,000 bail.
The men met each other through a Veterans Administration hospital and Young had been living at Hayes' home for several
months, Sheriff Richard Devlin said Monday night.
"They're both vets," Devlin said.
4
Otsego man dies in crash
By Denise Richardson
Staff Writer
A Hartwick man died Monday after his motorcycle hit a Jeep at an intersection in the town of
Otsego, deputies said.
Andrew L. Ellis, 23, was taken by ambulance to Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in
Cooperstown, where he was treated for head and chest trauma. He died at 4:48 p.m.,
Otsego County deputies and Otsego County Coroner James Dow said.
Ellis, who was wearing a helmet, hit the passenger side of the Jeep, deputies said.
The accident was the third serious crash within four days involving local men on motorcycles
and the second resulting in a fatality. Michael Farone, 47, of Franklin, died Saturday after a
minivan pulled into the path of his motorcycle in Cortland County.
Ellis' accident at 2:12 p.m. Monday happened at the intersection of state Route 28 and
Johnstons Road, an area with limited-sight distance, deputies said.
According to a media release from deputies, Brittany R. Rombough, 18, of Cooperstown,
was driving a 2004 Jeep Liberty north on Day Road when she stopped at the intersection
with Route 28, looked in both directions and, after seeing no traffic, continued north and
crossed Route 28 to enter Johnstons Road.
As Rombough was crossing the highway, Ellis was driving his motorcycle westbound,
cresting a knoll in the roadway, deputies said. He tried unsuccessful;y to stop, hitting the
Jeep on its passenger-side door.
A ``very limited sight distance in the area'' meant Rombough would not have seen the
westbound vehicle as she entered the roadway, deputies said, and Ellis wouldn't have seen
the Jeep.
Deputies said that neighbors interviewed Monday expressed concerns about accidents at
the intersection and said they had tried to have a mirror installed to increase visibility.
``It's a bad intersection, coming off of Day Road,'' said Sheriff Richard Devlin Jr.
A caller to 911 reported the accident Monday, and Fly Creek and Cooperstown Fire
Departments and deputies were dispatched to the scene, the release said.
Rombough, who had been wearing a seat belt, didn't have physical injuries but was taken by
a private vehicle to Bassett to be checked, deputies said.
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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office
2008 Notable Incidents
Zone 2
Springfield, Cherry valley, Middlefield, Roseboom
Missing Child
Close to midnight on the evening of June 19th, Deputies were dispatched to the Town of
Springfield for a missing twelve year old child.
The child had last been seen by a parent 4 ½ hours earlier. After an extensive ground
search, the child was located by Fire Department personnel in a nearby farm.
Upon interviewing the child concerning his actions over the past hours, the child stated
that he had been kidnapped and escaped from his captor. When found, the child was
wearing different clothes from when he was last seen and his hair had been cut. The
child told deputies that he had been taken from a road near his home and made to
change clothes. The child also explained how the kidnaper cut his hair and how he
eventually escaped.
After an extensive investigation, no collaborating evidence was found. Upon being
confronted with numerous inconsistencies in his story the child was re-interviewed and
admitted that his story was fictitious. After cutting his own hair and being worried about
his parent’s reaction, he made up the abduction story in order to explain his changed
physical appearance.
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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office
2008 Notable Incidents
Zone 3
Edmeston, Burlington, Pittsfield, New Lisbon
Couple arrested on drug charges
NEW LISBON _ Two suspects have been arrested on felony drug
charges and are being held on $10,000 bail, Otsego County
deputies said Thursday.
Andrew J. Wilson, 31, and Michelle, L. Slonaker, 23, both of 20
Irwin Ave. in Middletown, were charged with third-degree criminal
possession of a controlled substance, deputies said.
Deputies said they found more than 2 ounces of halluncinogenic
mushrooms on March 25 when searching the couple's former
residence at 367 Turnbull Road in New Lisbon.
The mushrooms were determined to have 500 milligrams of
psilocybin by tests done at the state police laboratory in Albany,
deputies said.
Wilson and Slonaker previously were indicted by an Otsego
County grand jury on the felony drug charges, deputies said, and
they were located in the city of Middletown and arrested on the
sealed indictments.
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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office
2008 Notable Incidents
Zone 4
Morris, Butternuts, Otego, Unadilla
Main Headline
MORRIS _ A town of Morris couple was charged with felony marijuana
possession after the execution of a search warrant, Otsego County
deputies said Monday.
Efren U. Rivera, 37, and Aleatha J. Rivera, 34, were each charged with
second-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a felony, and growing
of cannabis by an unlicensed person, a misdemeanor, deputies said in a
media release.
A search warrant was executed Friday night, and the Riveras were
accused of possessing more than one pound of marijuana and 73
marijuana plants that were in their garage in two grow rooms, deputies
said. Marijuana-growing equipment also was seized.
The Riveras were arraigned in Morris Town Court before Judge Michael
Scanlon. Efren was sent to Otsego County jail on $2,500 bail, deputies
said, and Aleatha was released on her own recognizance.
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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office
2008 Notable Incidents
Zone 5
Hartwick, Laurens, Milford, Oneonta
Missing man found safe
Had been last seen near Price Chopper
An elderly man with dementia who was reported missing earlier in the day returned
home at about 9:30 p.m. Friday, Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin reported.
No injuries were reported.
The Sheriff's office had asked the public to help to locate Leonard C. Bentley, 84, a
resident of the Melody Village Trailer Park in Oneonta. He had been last seen
walking east on state Route 7 near the Oneonta Price Chopper.
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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office
2008 Notable Incidents
Zone 6
Westford, Decatur, Maryland, Worcester
Man sentenced for attempted murder
Cooperstown News Bureau
COOPERSTOWN _ In state Supreme Court of Otsego County on Monday before Justice
Michael Coccoma, a Richmondville man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for seconddegree attempted murder.
The charge stems from a knife attack that occurred in Schenevus in May. Gerald W.
Jenkins, 44, pleaded guilty Oct. 29.
According to Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl, the victim, Dean Drysdale,
``has completely recovered physically from the attack, although he'll have scars for the
rest of his life.''
On May 4, Jenkins went to 181 County Route 34 in Schenevus, the home of Drysdale,
then 40, and stabbed Drysdale several times in the back, chest, arms and hands, police
previously said.
Muehl said the men, who had been close friends, were quarreling over a woman.
Jenkins also was sentenced to five years' post-release supervision and assessed a $270
surcharge and crime victims' fee and a $50 DNA fee.
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Man jailed in Otsego knife attack
By Jake Palmateer
Staff Writer
A Schoharie County man was jailed Sunday after he allegedly stabbed a Schenevus
resident several times in his county Route 34 home.
Gerald W. Jenkins Jr., 44, of Richmondville, was charged with first-degree assault, a
felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison, and fourth-degree criminal possession of
a weapon, a misdemeanor.
Jenkins went to the home of Dean Drysdale, 40, and stabbed Drysdale "multiple" times
in the back, chest, arms and hands, said Investigator Michael Ten Eyck of the Otsego
County Sheriff's Department.
A kitchen-type knife believed to have been used in the attack was recovered, Ten Eyck
said.
Some of the wounds could be classified as defensive, he said.
A dispute involving a woman appears to be the motivation for the attack, which
happened shortly after midnight Sunday, Ten Eyck said.
Drysdale, who doesn't have a phone in his home, went to a neighbor's house for help,
he added.
The Worcester Emergency Squad transported Drysdale to A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital,
where he was listed in stable condition in the intensive care unit Sunday night.
Jenkins left Schenevus but was caught at his Richmondville home by Cobleskill state
police at about 1:30 a.m., according to deputies.
Oneonta troopers transported Jenkins back to Otsego County where he was turned
over to deputies at about 2:15 a.m. He was arraigned later Sunday morning in
Maryland Town Court.
Jenkins was sent to Otsego County jail on $50,000 bail to await a felony hearing
Tuesday night.
District Attorney John Muehl said Jenkins may face second-degree attempted murder
charges depending on the results of interviews with the medical staff that treated
Drysdale.
"It's probably more than a possibility," Muehl said. "It depends on what the doctors
have to say."
Although first-degree assault and attempted murder are both class B felonies, the
attempted murder charge might be more appropriate given the circumstances of the
case and the wounds Muehl said
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Criminal
Investigation
Division
3
Chapter
2008 Report
The Criminal Investigation Division makes up the investigative services unit of the Sheriff’s
Office. The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is comprised of
two investigators. Investigators are responsible for handling felony related crimes, death
investigations, narcotics investigations, sexual abuse cases, financial and white collar
crimes, computer crimes and arsons. Investigators will also assist the patrol division with
follow-up investigations that require substantial time and resources to investigate. CID
investigators additionally oversee the sex offender registry, pistol permit background
investigations and truth determining exams.
Cases Investigated:
2008
Total cases investigated
473
Drug Investigations
58
Death Investigations
17
Sex offender reg. violations
20
Sex Investigations & Child Abuse
58
Assist other Agency
26
Elder Abuse
1
Missing Persons
6
Search Warrants written
6
12
Cases Investigated:
2008
Public Corruption
2
Kidnappings
2
Burglaries
25
Serious Assault
2
Arson
1
Bail Jumping
2
Fugitive from Justice
2
Forgery
12
ID Theft
7
Grand Larceny
9
Attempted Murder
1
Total “street value” of drug confiscations in 2008 is
$729,570.00
13
Three charged with drug trafficking
By Jake Palmateer
Staff Writer
Three suspected drug dealers face organized crime charges in connection with alleged drug
trafficking between New York City and the Oneonta area.
Steven A. English Jr., 24, of Brooklyn, Mark Anthony Santiago, 30, of Long Island and Broward
County, Fla., and Luis V. Cabrera Jr., 19, of Brooklyn, were indicted last month by an Otsego
County grand jury on enterprise corruption and various felony drug charges.
English has been in custody since June 4 on other drug charges. Santiago was arrested after a
traffic stop in Oneonta and he and English, who had been in Otsego County jail since June 4,
were arrested on sealed indictment warrants, according to a media release from deputies issued
Wednesday.
Cabrera was caught by deputies and Cooperstown police after a foot chase Tuesday afternoon
that started on Chestnut Street in Cooperstown and ended on Linden Avenue in the town of
Otsego, deputies said. He was also charged under a sealed indictment warrant.
The Otsego County Sheriff's Department Investigation Division and the Oneonta Police
Department Detective Bureau conducted the investigation.
The crime of enterprise corruption, which was established by the state Legislature in 1986 to fight
organized crime, is a class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl said it is rare to see this particular charge lodged
against a defendant in upstate New York.
But in this situation, it fits, he said.
"You have to have individuals that are acting together in an organized nature to pursue a criminal
enterprise," Muehl said.
In this case, the alleged criminal enterprise was dealing in crack cocaine and heroin. During the
10-month investigation, $10,068 in cash was seized, as well as more than 10 ounces of crack
cocaine valued at $28,000. One hundred bundles of heroin valued at $2,000 were also taken off
the street, according to deputies.
"These are people who set up shop and dealt to local people," said Otsego County Sheriff
Richard Devlin Jr.
In addition to the enterprise corruption charges, the defendants face the following charges under
the indictments:
English, two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance related to alleged
crack sales Jan. 2 and 25 in the city of Oneonta. English was also charged with two counts of
third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after drugs and cash were allegedly
found in his backpack near the Oneonta bus station June 4.
Santiago, three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance related to alleged
crack sales Feb. 24 in the town of Oneonta.
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Cabrera, three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance related to alleged
crack sales Jan. 12 and 16 and Feb. 7 in the city of Oneonta.
Muehl said the trio had structure and a hierarchy, but he declined to indicate which one of the
three may have been the leader.
The investigation is continuing and other arrests are expected, deputies said.
Oneonta is attractive to drug dealers because it is close to New York City, has two colleges and
there is a fairly large demand for drugs, Muehl said.
The demand comes from local residents and the college crowd, Devlin said.
A confidential informant used by police during the investigation has informed law enforcement
that crack has become less available in the city since the arrests, said a source close to the
investigation who requested anonymity. But Devlin said vacuums in the drug trade don't last long.
"These people will be replaced by other people, but we are trying to send a message that we
aren't going to tolerate it," Devlin said. The drug trade leads to other problems in Otsego County,
including burglaries, larcenies and drug addiction, he said.
The Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, state police
Community Narcotics Enforcement Team, state Division of Parole, New York City Police
Department's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area unit, New Jersey State Palisades Interstate
Parkway Police Department and the Otsego County District Attorney's Office assisted with the
case.
All three suspects are in Otsego County jail on $100,000 bail awaiting further court action. They
each face up to 52 years in prison on all the charges if convicted, deputies said.
15
4
Chapter
Sex Offender
Registration
2008 Report
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office maintains a registry of all levels of sex offenders living in the
county. Local law enforcement is required to maintain the Subdirectory for registered sex
offenders in New York State, and serves as the point of contact between registries and New York
State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
The Sex Offender Registration Act, New York's version of Megan's Law, was signed by Governor
George E. Pataki in July 1995 and became effective on January 21, 1996. The text of the statute
is contained in Correction Law Article 6-C (Section 168 et seq.).
Registered sex offenders in New York are classified by the “risk of re-offense”. A court
determines whether an offender is a level 1 (low risk), 2 (moderate risk) or 3 (high risk). The court
also determines whether an offender should be given the designation of a sexual predator,
sexually violent offender or predicate sex offender. Offenders are required to be registered for 20
years or life. Level 1 offenders with no designation must register for twenty years. Level 1
offenders with a designation, as well as level 2 and level 3 offenders regardless of whether they
have a designation must register for life.
The failure to register is a crime. The first conviction is punishable as a class A misdemeanor; a
subsequent conviction is punishable as a class D felony. All investigations concerning failure to
register are conduced by the Criminal Investigation Division.
Furthermore, the Otsego County Office of Sheriff recognizes that the internet is a very efficient
way of disseminating information to the residents of Otsego County. That is why in November of
2008, Sheriff Richard Devlin unveiled “OffenderWatch” to help his agency manage the 75
offenders in Otsego County, and to make community information and email alerts available for
the citizens of the county.
16
More public info on sex offenders in Otsego County
By EVAN WHITE
Story Created: Nov 24, 2008 at 2:08 PM EST
Story Updated: Nov 24, 2008 at 5:47 PM EST
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (WKTV) - Tracking sex offenders is something law enforcement statewide
must do, but Otsego County recently unveiled a method that augments efforts local police carry out
each day to track sex offenders.
Offender Watch is a software program that gives names, addresses and photographs of the 75 sex
offenders in Otsego County.
The program is being used at numerous departments nationwide and is currently running through
the Otsego Sheriff office website.
Names are available for all sex offenders, but Sheriff Richard Devlin says addresses and other
information can legally be provided for level 2 and 3 offenders who carry the most serious rap
sheets than level one offenders.
For users who register, Offender Watch sends email alerts notifying registrants when sex offenders
move within a mile of their location.
The cost of the program is $7,500.
Democratic Assemblyman William Magee and Republican Assemblyman Peter Lopez say their
member item money was used to pay for most of the service. Devlin says County funds were
approved in this year's budget for the rest.
Law enforcement say the program isn't meant to create fear in residents, but give them easier
access to information related to sexual predators living among them.
Neither Oneida nor Herkimer County have "offender watch" on their websites but Herkimer law
enforcement says it soon will.
Sheriff Chris Farber tells Newschannel 2 that his department expects to receive a grant to pay for the
program and may have it installed by the end of 2008.
Oneida County Undersheriff Peter Paravati says the program has been discussed, but because of
cuts to law enforcement and administration the department will not be purchasing it any time soon
17
K-9 Division
5
Chapter
2008 Report
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office has a long and honored tradition of K-9 use. The
office currently has one team that is certified through the New York State Police. The
team is certified in the areas of: Obedience, Handler Protection, Area Search, Building
Search, Article Search, Tracking, and Narcotics Detection. The Otsego County Sheriff’s
Office relies heavily on its K9 Division for narcotic detection and enforcement. The
division’s mission include locating narcotics during the service of search warrants,
conducting free air sniffs of the exterior of vehicles during traffic stops, and through school
searches which deter controlled substance possession at the education facilities within the
community. The K9 Division has also been extremely useful for article and suspect
tracking at fresh crime scenes, locating fugitives and assisting in locating missing persons
such as lost children and elderly. The division also provides demonstrations to youth
groups and educational institutions.
EID Alarms
34
Narcotics Searches
23
Missing Persons
3
Tracking
3
18
Marine &
6
Recreational
Vehicle Division
Chapter
2008 Report
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office maintains and provides special purpose vehicles for
use by various components of the office, in order to support and enhance our efforts of
providing superior Law Enforcement to the people of this county.
Maintaining an ardent law enforcement presence on the waterways of Otsego County, the
Unit patrols three major lakes and their navigable tributaries.
Marine Activity Report
2008
Total Hours of Patrol
302.5
Vehicle Inspections
81
Accidents Investigated
0
Search & Rescue Operations
2
Vessel / Person Assists
14
Arrests / Citations
32
Warnings Given
109
On-Water Inspections
65
Launch Site Inspections
29
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The unit maintains a fleet of four vessels. Each boat is maintained for specific duties and
due to the size, depth and hydrographs of the different lakes; each vessel is able to safely
navigate their assigned patrol area. Numerous Special Events on the lakes, task the
office with providing additional patrol units. Fourth of July celebrations, for example, have
the office assigning two boats per lake in order to provide additional safety and support to
the boating public. The Marine and Recreational Vehicle Unit plays a unique and
important role in helping the citizens of Otsego County as they handle all the maritime
complaints in the county. Without the assistance of this Unit, the citizens would not
receive an acceptable level of law enforcement and emergency response on or around
the waterways of Otsego County.
Through a grant from the New York State Department of parks and Recreation, the
Otsego County Sheriff’s Office received its fourth boat in 2008. This vessel is a:
Twenty-one foot Boston Whaler Justice Series. This
vessel is equipped with a four stroke 255 outboard,
rear crash & tow bar system and starboard side dive
door.
The Unit also provides training and assistance to the boating community through
presentation of the Safe Boating Classes. In 2008, one class was held and graduated 12
students
The Marine and Recreational Vehicle Unit are additionally equipped with two all-terrain
vehicles and a Cub Cadet 6X4 rescue vehicle. The Cub Cadet Utility Vehicle was
received by the office in 2008 from a gracious donation by Springfield Tractor and
Implement. This donation was a direct result of a 2007 case where a hunter was shot in
the woods.
20
The rescue operation and resulting investigation was aided by the use of ATVs. Due to
the rugged terrain, ATVs where needed to evacuate the wounded hunter. The ATVs were
able to negotiate a partial logging trail to an awaiting ambulance. Investigators and
equipment needed to support the investigation where additionally brought in on ATVs. A
follow-up of the incident brought to light the need for a larger and more stable all-terrain
vehicle that can support in-field medical transport and supplies. The result was the
donation of the 6X4 Utility Vehicle. This vehicle was put into service and later used with
positive results during another tragic case.
Michigan man hurt in hunting accident
Staff Report
A hunting accident in Middlefield on Friday left an out-of-state man hospitalized and an
out-of-town man under arrest, Otsego County deputies said.
Marc R. Macvean, 17, of Zeeland, Mich., was in stable and improving condition, said a
nursing supervisor a Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown on Friday night.
He was brought there after an accident that occurred about 8 a.m. in a wooded area off
Goodspeed Road, deputies said.
He was shot by James C. Person Jr., 20, of Gloversville, who was charged with seconddegree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, both felonies, and taking an illegal
deer, deputies said. He was released on his own recognizance to appear at a later date.
Deputies said the victim was hunting with family and friends in a dense wooded area.
Person was also hunting with family and friends.
Both were dressed in full camouflage clothing with no fluorescent clothing to identify
them. Both hunters were in stationary positions and were unaware of the other's
existence, deputies said.
Person observed a deer and fired one shot from his .35-caliber rifle, striking the deer. It
ran, and Person fired two more shots, one of which struck Macvean in the back and
exited his abdomen and hit his left hand. Macvean and Person were about 150 feet away
from each other when the shooting took place, deputies said.
Macvean was treated at the scene and underwent surgery at Bassett for his wounds,
deputies said.
During the investigation, the victim's stepbrother, Eric A. Cheney, 20, was charged with
lending a hunting license to another Person. Person's father, James C. Person Sr., 43, of
Gloversville, was charged with failure to co-sign deer management
21
Another 2008 case emphasized the need for special purpose vehicles and their ability to
enhance the efficiency of the Sheriff’s Office.
Four-wheeler rolls, kills area farmer
By Jake Palmateer
Staff Writer
A Morris man tending to a sugar bush on his family's farm in New Lisbon died Friday when his
four-wheeler rolled on top of him, according to the Otsego County Sheriff's Department.
Dale L. Parker, 68, was using a device attached to his ATV to spray for tent caterpillars along the
sap lines for his maple syrup business when the four-wheeler flipped sometime in the late
afternoon, deputies said in a media release.
When Parker, who lived alone on Pegg Road in Morris, failed to turn up at a medical appointment
in Oneonta on Saturday morning, his family reported him missing, Sheriff Richard Devlin said
Sunday.
The Otsego County 911 Center received the missing persons report at 7:52 a.m. and deputies
were dispatched.
Family members also began looking for Parker after his vehicle was found at the New Lisbon
farm. As a deputy was on his way to the farm, the 911 center received a second call saying
Parker had been found dead under an ATV, deputies said.
Parker was found by his brother, Devlin said.
Devlin said it appears Parker had attempted to drive over a downed tree when he was ejected
from the ATV, which rolled on top of him.
The pesticide sprayer was attached to the rear of the four-wheeler and it is not known if the 16gallon tank played any role in the accident.
"It's possible, we don't know how full it was at the time," Devlin said.
The sheriff said it will probably never be known exactly what happened.
"It appears to be a tragic accident," he said.
Devlin said that it does not appear that any pre-existing medical conditions contributed to
Parker's death, which an autopsy Sunday showed was caused by injuries suffered in the initial
accident.
Parker's body, which was found about half a mile into the woods, was recovered by the sheriff's
department's 6-x-4, off-road utility vehicle.
His maple syrup business was known as The Sugar Shack, according to his obituary.
22
Special
Enforcement
Bureau
7
Chapter
2008 Report
The OCSO SEB is a team of specially trained police officers that will respond to any
incident where special weapons and tactics are needed within their jurisdiction.
The unit consists of highly trained personnel with specific skills in the areas of
marksmanship, tactical response and containment, deployment of special equipment and
hostage negotiations. The SEB is under the direct supervision of a unit Supervisor and
Team leaders with governing authority derived through the Sheriff.
The purpose and intent of the Special Enforcement Bureau is to serve as a specialized,
flexible and mobile unit, activated to assist the office in the containment, de-escalation and
ultimate control of critical situations.
Search Warrants Executed
3
Marihuana Eradication Operations
2
23
Scene
8 ID / Crime
Unit
Chapter
2008 Report
The Identification Unit (ID) supports every element of the Sheriff’s Office with collection,
preservation and evaluation of evidence. Investigators and Deputies are trained in identification
and forensic techniques and specialties. Identification Unit personnel respond to all major crime
scenes and motor vehicle crashes and other accidents that result in death. The ID Unit also
manages and oversees the storage of evidence and all related records.
24
9
Chapter
Accident
Investigation
Unit
2008 Report
The Accident Investigation Unit provides support to both the Patrol and Criminal Investigations
Divisions by investigating fatal and serious motor vehicle accidents. This unit also assists in
crime scene diagramming and recreation, and is available to assist other county law enforcement
and emergency services agencies.
The officers assigned to the Accident Investigation Unit have specialized training and equipment
which allows them to reconstruct how an accident was likely to have occurred based on
measurements of skid marks and other evidence left at the crash site.
25
Training
10 Firearms
Unit
Chapter
2008 Report
This unit consists of four New York State Certified Firearms Instructors and three Armorers. It is
the responsibility of the Firearms Instructors to train and test members through qualifications with
department issued weapons. The Firearms Instructors train all agency members (Patrol Division
and Corrections Division) and the Otsego County Department of Probation in the practical use of
firearms and also provide annual classroom review of use of force and deadly physical force. The
Armorers are responsible for the inspection, maintenance and/or repair of agency weapons. The
Patrol Division’s annual qualification course consists of qualifying rounds of fire with the Glock 23,
Patrol Shotgun and M4 Patrol Rifle. The Corrections Division qualifies with the Glock 23 and the
Patrol Shotgun. The Firearms Training Staff also provides firearms training as well as the Lead
Instructor to the Otsego County Law Enforcement Academy and the Otsego County Sheriff’s
Office Basic Corrections Course. Each Academy Cadet fires approximately 1,000 rounds of
handgun ammunition during basic training. Law Enforcement Cadets additionally fire an extra 50
rounds of “00” Buck and Rifled Slug shotgun shells. During annual qualifications 16,000 rounds of
handgun ammunition is fired. Low-light, night fire training and shoot no-shoot training also
account for another 4,000 rounds expelled.
26
11
Chapter
Corrections
Division
2008 Report
Total Number of Inmates
Admitted
636
Total Number of Males Admitted
534
Total Number of Females
102
Total Number of Minors (age 1618) Admitted
53
Total Number Sentenced
155
Total Number of Males Sentenced
133
Total number Females Sentenced
22
Total Number Held
511
Total Number Males Held
424
Total Number Females Held
87
Total Number of County Inmates
622
Total Number Board-Ins, State
Returns, Federal
14
The Corrections Division staffs and operates the Otsego County Correctional Facility. The
administration consists of Lieutenant Donald R. Lincourt and Lieutenant Adam L. Pierce
who are designated Administrator and Deputy Administrator of the Otsego County
Correctional Facility. Shift Supervisors are Sergeants Roger L. Butler, Kevin Barrows,
27
Michael Reckeweg, Eric Sheldon, Kyle V. Lamp and Jason J. Kehoe. The Corrections
staff consists of 46 full-time and 8 part-time Corrections Officers. The Corrections
Divisions overall function is to provide processing and detention services for all law
enforcement agencies within Otsego County while administering the facility according to
New York State standards.
In 2008, the Otsego County Correctional Facility continued to provide and maintain a safe
and secure corrections facility for inmates and staff alike. The facility continues to deal
with an adverse and revolving population. The vast majority of individuals that were
incarcerated continue to represent a population with substance abuse, communicable
diseases and violent criminal histories. This population spends more sentenced time in
the facility and requires more direct supervision by officers. The majority of the inmates
represented by this type of population are recidivists. The implementation of a state of the
art computerized jail management system greatly aided the correctional staff in 2008. The
“Sallyport” computer system (that went online November of 2007) has allowed more
reliable record retention and retrieval and greatly improved safety of correctional staff. The
2008 implementation of inmate bracelets, containing a photograph and basic personal
identifiers, has markedly improved errors in inmate transports and movement. Available
space and overcrowding continue to be a problem, especially in our female housing unit.
The original design and construction of the facility did not anticipate the female population
we are now experiencing.
During 2008 the corrections staff completed training in firearms, chemical agents,
CPR/AED, legal updates as well as officers attending Corrections Basic School. The
Otsego County Sheriff’s Office presented two Corrections Basic Schools to officers of our
staff as well as outside agencies.
Continually attempting to improve our service and infrastructure, 2008 saw upgrades to
our security control room, cameras and monitoring equipment and inmate reception
procedures. Improvements in the facilities policy and procedures were reviewed by the
Sheriff and implemented as per office regulations. The corrections division also received a
new van that is specifically designed for inmate transports.
Corrections operations were greatly improved in 2008 by the addition of additional Officers
which provides a safer environment for both the staff and inmate population.
28
12
Chapter
Transports
2008 Report
Transport activity remains an important and essential part of correctional operations. Transport
officers are specially trained and equipped to accomplish their task with efficiency and safety.
Officers selected for this detail must exhibit the highest degree of professional standards as they
are directly responsible for transporting inmates to court appearances, medical appointments and
other correctional facilities. Transporting officers must be alert to all conditions and potential
hazards which surround the movement of the inmates to and from these places. Specialized
equipment and vehicles may be utilized for high-profile inmates, high risk inmates or those with
special medical and mental conditions.
Local Court Transports
447
State Prison Transports
41
Medical Transports
148
Psychiatric Transports
8
Work Details
3
Dental Transports
42
Other (DSS, Funerals, etc.)
24
Total Transports for 2008
713
Total Transport Miles for 2008
27,769
29
Health
Services
13
Chapter
2008 Report
Correctional medical care is provided by the Health Services Unit. Daily the medical staff
oversees new inmate screening and inmate sick call. The Health Services Unit also
encompasses ambulatory care, health education and urgent care within the correctional
facility. The staff manages referrals and appointments to mental health providers, dental
care and physicians. Health Services deals daily with a wide range of health issues and
concerns. Their average patient population has not had consistent healthcare prior to their
incarceration. This overlying issue coupled with substance abuse and mental health
issues provide for a unique specialty of nursing. Our staff truly cares for an interesting
variety of health concerns from minor ailments to major and atypical conditions.
Inmates seen at daily sick call
4004
New Inmates seen
612
Inmates evaluated by Jail
Physician
364
Inmates evaluated by mental
health
572
Inmates evaluated by mental
health nurse practitioner
312
Inmates evaluated by Dentist
(outside facility)
38
30
Dietary
Services
14
Chapter
2008 Report
The correctional food service is supervised by Wayne O. Granger, the Director of Food
Service Operations. He is responsible for planning, directing and supervising the
preparation and serving of food to the inmate population. Additional food management
duties include procurement and storage, menu planning, sanitation and record keeping.
Dietary Services professionally and diligently care for the health and safety of both the
inmate population and correctional staff. Food operations are supported with inmates,
where the staff not only monitors their handling and sanitation methods but try to model
proper social and work behavior traits.
Total Meals Served 2008
65,880
31
Educational &
15 Rehabilitative
Programs
Chapter
2008 Report
Educational and Rehabilitative Programs provide academic, counseling and support to our
inmate population. Numerous activities and programs are brought into the correctional
facility all year long, in order to provide rehabilitative counseling and education. These
programs attempt to serve as a catalyst for change in an inmate life.
General Educational
Development
2008
Inmates attending GED class
42
Inmates graduated
4
Rehabilitative Service Program
2008
Alcoholics Anonymous
6
12 Steps to Better Living
3
One on One Religious Counseling
2
Bible Study
6
Church Services
14
32
Facility
Reports
16
Chapter
2008 Report
The correctional officers and their supervisors work diligently to provide a safe and
respectful visitation atmosphere. Due to the nature of the process, however, security
remains a constant concern and is at the forefront of our visitation policy. Preventive
measures for eliminating contraband from entering the facility, providing a safe visitation
environment and protecting all visitors to our facility at times has been an overwhelming
task. Recent improvements in staffing and procedures have greatly improved our
visitation operations and improved safety for inmates, staff and visitors.
Inmate Visitations
2008
Contact Visitation (Family &
Friends)
4,159
Non-Contact Visitation (Inmates
not cleared or loss of privilege)
329
Inmate Attorney Visits
395
Inmate Official Visits
55
An inmate grievance is a written complaint by the inmate concerning written (or unwritten)
facility policies, procedures, rules, practices, programs or actions / in-actions of any person
within the facility. A grievance officer takes these complaints and presents them for
review.
Total Inmate Grievances for 2008
109
Grievances Resolved at Facility
Level
69
Grievances Referred to State
Commission of Corrections
40
Grievances Denied by State
Commission of Corrections
39
33
Grievances Accepted for Policy
Change
1
Total Facilities Searches 2008
101
Admin. and Work Area Searches
34
Housing Unit Searches
67
Total Number of Inmates Bailed or
Bonded Out of the Facility in 2008
206
Criminal Investigations Conducted
within the Facility in 2008
9
Facility Criminal Investigations
concerning contraband in 2008
5
34
17
Chapter
Victim
Notification
2008 Report
The National Victim Notification Network, VINE (victim information and notification everyday)
allows crime victims across the country to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal
cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Victims and other concerned citizens
can also register to be notified by phone, email, or TTY device. Registered users are notified
immediately if an offender’s status changes, due to release, transfer or escape. When a
notification is triggered, VINE automatically calls the number(s) or sends an email that the victim
has provided. The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office has continued to participate in the statewide
victim notification program.
2008 Registrations
27
Telephonic Notifications
8
Electronic Notifications
19
35
18
Chapter
Training Unit
2008 Report
The Training Unit oversees all in-house training and certification of deputies, officers and staff. The unit
consists of 9 New York State Certified Police Instructors. Some instructors have received additional
training in order to teach the specialties of: Firearms, Chemical Agents, Defensive Tactics, Vehicle
Operations and Incident Command. Due to the size, structure and mission of the Otsego County
Sheriff’s Office, every day our Patrol Deputies and Correctional Officers are receiving training or
classroom instruction. The instructors put in long hours of classroom preparation prior to each class.
Our instructors formulate lesson plans, develop visual aids and handouts and complete class rosters in
advance to their classroom instruction. The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office also provides instructors to
outside agencies as well as the Otsego County Law Enforcement Academy. The Training Unit
oversees the F.T.O. (Field Training Officer) programs for both the Patrol Division and the Corrections
Division.
Basic Corrections Academy
Classes in 2008
2
Class 08-01, Graduated
7 Students
Class 08-02, Graduated
7 Students
FTO Corrections Division
22 Recruits
FTO Patrol Division
4 Recruits
Total Trained In-service
Corrections
50
Total Trained In-service Patrol
16
Completed Inmate Classification
Certification Training
13
36
Completed Certification for use of
Chemical Agents
49
Completed Stop Stick Certification
12
ATV Safety Course
13
Marine Safety School
2
37
Permit &
19 Pistol
Licensing
Chapter
Gloria M. Beers, Pistol & Licensing Clerk
2008 Report
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office processes Pistol Permit Applications for Otsego County
residents under terms of appropriate New York State laws. Following the completion of an
application and criminal background checks, final approval or denial of a permit is the decision of
an Otsego County Court Judge.
After receiving a new pistol license application, this unit processes the application as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Review all pistol license applications to insure compliance with state law
Obtain fingerprints and photographs of applicant (along with pistol license application and fee)
Submit fingerprint cards to D.C.J.S. and the F.B.I. for criminal history background checks
Conduct background investigation
Send out reference letters regarding new applicants
Submit completed application to appropriate County Court Judge for final approval
Upon approval, process and issue pistol license to applicant as well as distribute application to
appropriate agencies
Other duties include processing license holders' amendments, acquisitions, disposals, address
changes, duplicates and transfers, maintain pistol license files, process pistol license
suspensions and revocations, conduct criminal investigation of pistol licensees when warranted,
and conduct deceased pistol licensee investigations.
New Licenses issued in 2008
139
Dealer/Gunsmith Licenses in 2008
2
Duplicate Licenses Issued
48
Amendments Processed
800
New Applications Filed in 2008
164
Applications Pending
49
People Fingerprinted
164
38
New York State Law requires that all applicants for a gun license successfully complete a gun
safety course. The Pistol Permit Licensing Division provides this course to Otsego County
residents six times annually. The course is presented through the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office
on weekends.
Pistol permit Class Attendance
158
Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling
and storage practices among all firearms owners through the distribution of key safety education
messages and free gun locking devices (safety kits).
Project ChildSafe's success is attributable to its partners --- law enforcement, elected officials,
community leaders, state agencies, businesses and individuals. Through their efforts, Project
ChildSafe's safety education message is reaching millions of gun owners across America,
significantly raising awareness about the importance of practicing safe firearms ownership.
Childsafe Locks Issued in 2008
500
39
Security Services
20
Unit
Chapter
2008 Report
The Security Services Unit of the Otsego County Sheriff's Office consists of security officers
whose responsibilities include weapon screening, building decorum, and providing essential
public safety and law enforcement services. Through these services, the members assigned
ensure that the security of the Department of Social Services and the County Office Building are
safe and secure environments for all occupants and visitors.
These procedures are necessary to ensure the health and safety of all who have business within
these buildings.
40
21
Chapter
Tips Hotline
2008 Report
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office has in operation a telephone number for the public to report any
information concerning criminal activity 24 hours a day. Any Tips in reference to criminal activity in
Otsego County that has previously occurred, is continuing or may occur in the future can be reported to
the Tips Line. Callers may leave an electronically recorded voice-mail message. The Tips Line is a
voice mailbox that is dedicated to receiving information on criminal investigations from the public. The
caller may remain anonymous or provide their name and information. The purpose of the Tips Line is to
effectively funnel information or tips to the investigator or deputy handling the case. The Tips Line
phone number will be utilized in press releases regarding on-going investigations being handled by the
Criminal Investigation Division
Tips Received on Hotline 2008
62
41
Emergency
Services
Partnership
22
Chapter
2008 Report
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office enjoys an excellent working relationship with the Otsego
County Office of Emergency Services. With budgetary and manpower restraints experienced by
both offices, the Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Services has attempted to improve their services
and response capabilities by an effective and useful partnership. This partnership has seen both
agencies in 2008, sharing and assisting in manpower, facilities and equipment. We all know that
effective emergency service management requires agencies from many different services to work
closely together and to have open lines of communication. In Otsego County, we have taken that
view to heart by establishing this partnership and improving our fire investigation, search and
rescue capabilities, medical first response and emergency management.
One of our greatest partnerships efforts is in Project Lifesavor.
Project Lifesaver relies on proven radio technology and a specially trained search and rescue
team. Clients that are enrolled in the Project Lifesaver program wear a personalized wristband
that emits a tracking signal. When caregivers notify the local Project Lifesaver agency that the
person is missing, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer's area and starts
searching with the mobile locater tracking system. Search times have been reduced from hours
and days to minutes. In over 1500 searches, there have been no reported serious injuries or
deaths. Recovery times average less than 30 minutes.
Current Enrollment
8
2008 Enrollments
3
42
23
Chapter
Crisis
Intervention &
Support Services
2008 Report
Crisis Intervention and Support Services are offered to the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office by
another great partnership we have with Opportunities for Otsego, Inc. O.F.O. offers services
when individuals or families are in crisis and provide short-term assistance to meet their
immediate needs. The Violence Intervention Program of Opportunities for Otsego additionally
assists the office by providing services to: victims of domestic violence, victims of rape and sexual
assault, families of child sexual abuse and crime victims needing assistance for the New York
State Crime Victims Board.
Year
Domestic
Disputes
Reported
1996
60
2006
167
2007
210
2008
222
43
24 Sheriff’s Camp
Chapter
2008 Report
The Sheriffs’ Camp is located in the Finger Lakes region on Keuka Lake in Yates County.
It is six miles south of the village of Penn Yan. The camp, a former YMCA Camp, is owned
by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute and meets the full compliance of the
New York State Health Department. The camp is for economically challenged children,
between the ages of 9 and 12 who, because of economic reasons would not have an
opportunity to attend a summer camp or enjoy a summer vacation. Deputy Sheriffs play
two roles within the camp community. Typically, about 4 to 6 Deputy Sheriffs are in
residence during each of the six one-week sessions. They work themselves into the
camp’s daily curriculum. They work hard to project themselves as mentors to the kids.
Other Deputy Sheriffs visit the camp daily to conduct demonstrations of law enforcement
techniques and equipment. Such as K-9 and scuba diving demonstrations. Each week a
Deputy Sheriff makes a presentation regarding illicit drugs and alcohol use.
Number of Campers Attending
from the Otsego County Sheriff’s
Office in 2008
17
44
Youth Services
Affiliations
25
Chapter
2008 Report
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office is proud to provide support and assistance to Otsego County Youth
Court and Law Enforcement Explorer Post 911.
The mission of Youth Court is to offer youth offenders a second chance through restorative
justice, peer accountability, and empowering opportunities; and to engage all youth – especially
those at risk for entering the juvenile justice system -- in expansive experiences related to law
and justice with the aim of changing young lives and impacting communities.
Law Enforcement Explorer posts help youth to gain insight into a variety of programs that offer handson career activities. For young men and women who are interested in careers in the field of law
enforcement, Exploring offers experiential learning with lots of fun-filled, hands-on activities that
promote the growth and development of adolescent youth.
45
26
Chapter
Traffic
Enforcement
2008 Report
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office has a strong commitment to the enforcement of Driving While
Intoxicated (D.W.I.). In New York, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he/she operates a motor vehicle
with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater. BAC refers to the amount of
alcohol in your blood. Although the law refers to a 0.08 percent BAC, you can be convicted of driving
while ability impaired even when your BAC is below 0.08 percent. The BAC threshold determining
drunk driving was changed from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent in early 2004. Consuming even small
amounts of alcohol dulls the senses, decreases reaction time, and hampers judgment, vision and
alertness. If you consume any amount of alcohol and your driving is affected, you can be convicted of
drunk driving.
Total DWI Arrests in 2008
179
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office participated in the “Selective Traffic Enforcement Program” (STEP)
this past year. The “Block” grant through the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee
provides funding to support equipment and dedicated police patrols targeting speeding and unsafe
driving behaviors. In 2008, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office received a $14,000 grant that assisted in
purchasing two new radar units along with funding for specialized traffic enforcement details.
Total S.T.E.P. Hours for 2008
257
Speed Tickets Issued
93
Total Traffic Tickets Issued
250
46
In an effort to improve countywide traffic safety, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office has utilized the
latest in technology in its use of the License Plate Reader (LPR) system. LPR cameras, which are
usually around the size of a can of tomato sauce, are mounted on police cars and powered by cigarette
lighters. As the patrol vehicle moves, the camera bounces infrared light off other vehicles' license
plates. The camera reads the plates and feeds them to a laptop in real time, where information from a
DMV database can tell an officer if the car is stolen or unregistered. Some systems can read up to 60
plates per second, and they work at highway speeds and acute angles. The Otsego County Sheriff’s
Office has used LPRs since 2007 and has greatly improved our traffic enforcement efforts and scofflaw
arrests.
Total Plates Read in 2008
70,395
Total Tickets Issued
57
Total Misdemeanor & Felony
Arrests
40
47
Operation Safe
27
Child
Chapter
2008 Report
Operation SAFE CHILD was created in July 2005 to raise awareness about child safety. Using
equipment that contains the latest digital fingerprinting technology and high resolution
photography capabilities, The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office is able to produce a SAFE CHILD
card for parents and guardians. The cards contain a child's name, biographical information (date
of birth, gender, height, weight, hair color, eye color, etc.), and a fingerprint image of both index
fingers. The card can be made in less than two minutes and can be easily carried in a wallet or
pocketbook. Interested parents can choose to store the fingerprints, basic biographical
information and photographs of children who are not missing -- information critical to expediting
the return of a missing child. The storage of information is entirely voluntary and requires the
written consent of a parent or legal guardian. The information gathered is digitally recorded and
stored in a database at the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in Albany. In the event
DCJS receives a missing child report, the fingerprints of that child will be included in a special
search file and compared against all incoming fingerprints submitted to the agency.
2008 SAFE CHILD Locations
# of Children
Worcester School
63
Schenevus Fireman Field Days
30
County Fair
400
Unadilla
18
th
4 of July
60
Richfield Fire
15
Springfield Fire
30
Cooperstown Fire
30
BOCES Daycare
15
Cooperstown Daycare
15
Cherry Valley Daycare
15
Oneonta
10
Springfield Daycare
20
48
Home Depot
20
49
Alternatives to
28 Incarceration
Chapter
2008 Report
One of the programs the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office oversees is the Alternatives to
Incarceration Program. This program, more commonly referred to as the Otsego County
Community Service Program has been in operation since 1983. It is mandated by the
New York State Division of Probation & Correctional Alternatives. This alternative to jail
time gives the correctional facility the ability to house inmates in a more efficient way. It
was specifically designed to alleviate overcrowding in the Otsego County Correctional
Facility.
All the judges in Otsego County have access to this program and can sentence a person
to hours of community service in exchange for jail time. Persons who are convicted of
felony and/or misdemeanor charges are the target population for this program. They
would be truly jail bound and help to alleviate overcrowding in the correctional facility. It
continues to fulfill the state requirements for felony and misdemeanor sentences.
The OC Community Service Program took on another aspect of serving persons who
were not truly jail bound in 1990 due to the demand from local courts that there was a
growing need for the service. A person that is sentenced to a charge other than a
misdemeanor or felony, is a transfer into this County from another Court, and/or has been
re-sentenced, will be charged a $50.00 fee to participate in the Community Service
Program. The expectations are the same to ultimately provide oversight of a participant to
his/her successful completion of mandated community service hours.
The program serves on an average of 250 participants. Total number of hours the
program oversees on average is 8,500 – 9,000 per year. We have established
consistently over a 90% success rate. Some of the participants, not only completed a
court mandate, they were offered and took advantage of part or full-time employment.
The Program Coordinator is Cathy Jeanette and has been since it’s inception in 1983.
50
29
Chapter
Closing
2008 Report
We hope you have enjoyed this 2008 summary of our activity and look
forward to your comments. The following pages are offered to give you
a quick glimpse at our 2009 budget, so you understand where you’re
hard earned money goes.
51
The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our partners at
E911 for their continued support and assistance throughout 2008.
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working
together is success.”
52
“We put the people of Otsego County and
their needs above all else.”
53
Otsego County 2009 Budget
Otsego County 2009 Total
Budget
97%
Sheriff's Office Road Patrol
1%
Sheriff's Office Jail
2%
Otsego County 2009 Total Budget
Sheriff's Office Budget
3%
County Budget
97%
Jail
0%
0%
0%
1%
2%
78%
3%
8%
5%
3%
Equipment
Material and Supplies
Food
Medical
Contracts
Personal Services
Appliances
Training/Lodging
IT
Other
Equipment
Vehicles
Telephone
Postage
Vehicle repair
Other
Grants
Fuel
Personal Services
IT
Contracts
Training/Travel
Material and Supplies
Misc.
1%
1%
0%
1%
1%
1%
3% 0% 3%
4%
1%
4%
5%
75%
Patrol Activity
4,500
4,241
4,000
3,500
3,000
3,368
2,875
2,500
2,000
2,348
1,800
1,563
1,407
1,200
1,500
1,000
500
0
1996
2006
2007
2008
Complaints
Uniform Traffic
Summons
1,800
1,200
2,875
3,368
1,407
1,563
4,241
2,348
Patrol Activity
2,500
2,000
Civil Papers Served
Domestic Disputes
Drug Investigations
Criminal Investigations
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Felony Arrests
Misdemeanor Arrests
DWI Arrests
1,500
1,000
500
0
1996
2006
2007
Years
2008
2,500
2,188
2,100
2,020
2,000
1,600
1996
2006
2007
2008
1,500
1,000
500
60
167 210 222
0
Civil Papers Served
Domestic Disputes
500
482
473
441
450
393
400
353
350
300
234
250
204
200
150
131
100
50
46 53 58
19
0
Drug
Investigations
Criminal
Investigations
Motor Vehicle
Accidents
1996
2006
2007
2008
800
800
700
600
543
512524
500
400
300
200
309
258 276
179
144
114
76
175
100
0
Felony Arrests
Misdemeanor
Arrests
DWI Arrests
1996
2006
2007
2008
Sheriff 2009 Budget
Personal Service
Equipment
Vehicles
Fuel
Vehicle Repair
Material and Supplies
Food
Medical
IT
Grants
Training/Lodging
Contracts
Other
Appliances
Telephone
2%
2%
2%
1%
3%
4%
76%
3%
1%
2%
0%
2%
1%
0%
1%