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Public Safety

Active Shooter Drill Held At Carmel's Chuang Yen Monastery Active Shooter Drill Held At Carmel's Chuang Yen Monastery
Active Shooter Drill Held At Carmel's Chuang Yen Monastery Although it looked like a real response, an influx of emergency agencies and police at a Hudson Valley monastery was only a drill to prepare for an active shooter scenario.  The exercise was held in Putnam County on Sunday, April 21 at the Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel at 2020 Route 301, according to the Carmel Fire Department.  During the drill, which was hosted by the Kent Fire Department, several local, county, and regional agencies acted as if there were an active shooter with "victims" played by volunteers.  After the exercise was complete, the agencies then gathe…
Guardian Dogs Escape Hudson Valley Farm, Kill Poodle, Attack Owner: Report Guardian Dogs Escape Hudson Valley Farm, Kill Poodle, Attack Owner: Report
Guardian Dogs Escape Hudson Valley Farm, Kill Poodle, Attack Owner: Report Two guardian dogs from a nonprofit farm in Westchester may be euthanized after escaping the property and attacking a woman and her leashed poodle on a trail, according to a New York Times report.  The attack happened on Tuesday, February 6, when two guardian dogs escaped the Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture in Tarrytown at 630 Bedford Rd. and ran into a woman and her 10-pound miniature poodle on a public trail. They then attacked the woman and killed the poodle, according to a new report by The New York Times. The two dogs, a Great Pyrenees named Luna and an Akbash na…
Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban NY Street Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban NY Street
Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban NY Street More than a quarter of a million dollars has been raised to support the families of a police officer and sheriff's deputy killed in a shootout with a suspect who also died on a quiet suburban street in upstate New York earlier this week. The two officers were  Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hoosock, age 37, and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, age 29. Hoosock is survived by his wife, Caitlin, and their three young children, ages 7, 5, and 3. As of Wednesday morning, April 17, a Fund the First drive for the families of the two has pulled in around $255,000 of a go…
County In Hudson Valley Advises Residents To Be On Alert For Possible Attack After FBI Warning County In Hudson Valley Advises Residents To Be On Alert For Possible Attack After FBI Warning
County In Hudson Valley Advises Residents To Be On Alert For Possible Attack After FBI Warning Authorities at a county in the Hudson Valley are asking residents to be on alert if they "See Something, To Say Something," after a Federal Bureau of Investigation warning of a possible ISIS-like attack in the US. Rockland County officials said the county, towns, and law enforcement are on alert following an FBI warning sent to the US House of Representatives on Thursday, April 11. During that panel, FBI Bureau Director Christopher Wray said he was increasingly concerned about “the potential for a coordinated attack here in the homeland, akin to the ISIS-K attack we saw at the Russia Concer…
Father Jumps To Help Son Who Fell Onto Tracks At Station In Hudson Valley Father Jumps To Help Son Who Fell Onto Tracks At Station In Hudson Valley
Father Jumps To Help Son Who Fell Onto Tracks At Station In Hudson Valley Thanks to quick-thinking Metro-North officials and first responders, a person who fell on electrified tracks at a Northern Westchester train station and his father, who leaped in to help him, were rescued from the perilous situation.  The incident happened on Friday, April 12 around 10:30 a.m., when a person fell from the platform at Croton-Harmon Station onto electrified tracks, according to the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department.  After the fall, the person's father immediately jumped to help his son and put himself in harm's way in the process, according to the department.  …
After The Quake: All NY State Agencies To Review Infrastructure, Assess Potential For Damage After The Quake: All NY State Agencies To Review Infrastructure, Assess Potential For Damage
After The Quake: All NY State Agencies To Review Infrastructure, Assess Potential For Damage All state agencies in New York will review critical infrastructure and assess the potential for damage following an earthquake and multiple aftershocks.  Gov. Kathy Hochul made that announcement as the US Geological Survey has detected at least 25 aftershocks in Central New Jersey, many of which have been felt in New York and across the region, following the original 4.8 magnitude quake at 10:23 a.m. Friday, April 5. “My top priority is keeping people safe, and I have directed state personnel to take all necessary precautions following yesterday's historic earthquake,” Hochul said. “At…
Homeowner Shoots Black Bear Who Entered Residence In Hudson Valley Homeowner Shoots Black Bear Who Entered Residence In Hudson Valley
Homeowner Shoots Black Bear Who Entered Residence In Hudson Valley A black bear is still on the loose after breaking into a Hudson Valley home and being shot by the homeowner. The incident occurred in Orange County on Thursday, March 28 in Greenwood Lake. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), a department police officer responded to the residence after a homeowner called 911 to report a black bear broke into an enclosed front porch.  The homeowner reported shooting the black bear once with a handgun and the bear ran off into the woods, DEC officials said. Attempts to locate the bear were unsuccessful. DEC’s investiga…
Update: Patient Charged After Bomb Threat Evacuates Hospital In Region Update: Patient Charged After Bomb Threat Evacuates Hospital In Region
Update: Patient Charged After Bomb Threat Evacuates Hospital In Region This story has been updated. A former patient is facing charges in connection with a hoax bomb threat that forced the partial evacuation of a hospital in the region. The Saratoga County incident happened at around 8 a.m. Thursday, March 21, at the Saratoga Hospital on Church Street in Saratoga Springs. Police said officers responded to the hospital’s emergency department for a reported bomb threat. The area was briefly evacuated while the agency used an explosive detection K-9 team to sweep the building. No explosive devices were found, and nobody was injured. In an update hours later, S…
Where's Albert? 11-Foot Gator's Seizure From NY Home Sparks Backlash: 'Kind Of Messed Up' Where's Albert? 11-Foot Gator's Seizure From NY Home Sparks Backlash: 'Kind Of Messed Up'
Where's Albert? 11-Foot Gator's Seizure From NY Home Sparks Backlash: 'Kind Of Messed Up' Where is Albert the alligator? That’s what a New York man and his thousands of supporters are demanding to know after state wildlife officials seized his 11-foot, 750-pound gator from his home. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers showed up to Tony Cavallaro’s Erie County residence in the town Hamburg on Wednesday, March 13, after learning that he had built an addition to his home and installed an in-ground swimming pool to keep the gator. Officers accused Cavallaro of allowing members of the public, including children, to get into the water and pet Albert while the all…
Couple Found Shot Dead In Hudson Valley Home Couple Found Shot Dead In Hudson Valley Home
Couple Found Shot Dead In Hudson Valley Home A man and a woman were found shot dead in a Hudson Valley home after police received a call for help. Click here for a new, updated story: Police ID Couple In Hudson Valley Murder-Suicide The incident occurred in Rockland County around 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 19 on Rosetown Road in Stony Point. According to Lt. Greg Becker of the Stony Point Police, when officers arrived they found a 35-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, both shot dead from a single gunshot wound. Stony Point detectives began an investigation with help from the Rockland Sheriff's Office and the Rockland County Me…
Area Firefighter Sends Sexually Explicit Photo To Purported Underage Teen, Police Say Area Firefighter Sends Sexually Explicit Photo To Purported Underage Teen, Police Say
Area Firefighter Sends Sexually Explicit Photo To Purported Underage Teen, Police Say A firefighter from the region is accused of sending a sexually explicit image to who he believed was a minor. Albany County resident John Redick, age 68, of Colonie, was arrested Monday, March 18, on suspicion of disseminating indecent material to a minor, a felony. Colonie Police said Redick, a lifetime member of the Colonie Fire Company, sent the illegal photo to who he believed to be an underage teenage boy. “This is still an active investigation and although we are not aware of any other victims at this time, the nature of the allegations is concerning,” the agency said. Redick was ar…
'Significant Progress': Murders, Shootings, Car Thefts Down In Region, Hochul Says 'Significant Progress': Murders, Shootings, Car Thefts Down In Region, Hochul Says
'Significant Progress': Murders, Shootings, Car Thefts Down In Region, Hochul Says Gov. Kathy Hochul is crediting recent multimillion-dollar policing initiatives with bringing down overall crime in the region. Speaking at the New York State Police Troop G headquarters in Latham on Monday, March 4, Hochul said Capital Region cities participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative all saw the number of shootings with injuries drop in 2023 compared to the previous year. The initiative provides tens of millions of dollars in state funding to local police departments to pay for equipment, overtime, and training meant to reduce shootings and homi…
Remains Of Hudson Valley Couple Found Scattered At Sites On Long Island Remains Of Hudson Valley Couple Found Scattered At Sites On Long Island
Remains Of Hudson Valley Couple Found Scattered At Sites On Long Island This story has been updated. Detectives investigating the deaths of two people from Westchester County whose severed remains were found at a Long Island park have found additional body parts at two more locations. Suffolk County Police said human remains were located in West Babylon, in a wooded area along Lakeway Drive near Troy Avenue, and at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, March 5. Both scenes were processed by homicide detectives and members of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office. The remains are believed to be those of the same victims whose severed limbs, including a woman’…
Man Wielding Knives Threatens Patrons At Area Bar, Police Say Man Wielding Knives Threatens Patrons At Area Bar, Police Say
Man Wielding Knives Threatens Patrons At Area Bar, Police Say A 56-year-old man is accused of threatening patrons inside a bar in the region while brandishing multiple knives. The Albany County incident happened just before 2 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26 at Albany’s Oh Bar, a predominantly gay bar located on Lark Street. Albany Police said officers responded to the business after someone called 911 reporting a man with a weapon. An investigation found that Walter Mastan, of Albany, went behind the bar without permission and grabbed several knives. He then threatened multiple patrons, police said. No customers or employees were injured in the ordeal. Mastan…
Man Nabbed After Threatening To Kill Motorists At Traffic Light In Dutchess County, Police Say Man Nabbed After Threatening To Kill Motorists At Traffic Light In Dutchess County, Police Say
Man Nabbed After Threatening To Kill Motorists At Traffic Light In Dutchess County, Police Say A man was arrested on an "extreme risk" protection order for allegedly scaring motorists during a road rage incident that was caught on a Ring camera in the region.  The incident took place in Dutchess County on Saturday, Feb. 24, in Wappingers Falls. Wappingers Falls Police said the department received notification from Ring Neighbors, a public online social media platform, on Saturday warning of a "possible crime" in the area. In the video, police said a man can be seen stopped at a traffic light threatening motorists that he had a gun in back. As a result, the department said it o…
Woman From Region Charged With Making A Threat Of Mass Harm Against School Woman From Region Charged With Making A Threat Of Mass Harm Against School
Woman From Region Charged With Making A Threat Of Mass Harm Against School A woman from the region has been charged with allegedly making a threat of mass harm after she threatened to blow up a middle school. The incident occurred in Sullivan County around 5:20 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22 in the village of Liberty. According to Chief Steven D'Agata of the Liberty Police Department, Chiffvon Steele, age 42, of Liberty, commented to staff at Liberty Middle School that she would  “blow this [expletive] place up." The threat was made to a staff member outside of the building during a heated conversation. Steele then left the scene. Liberty Police immediately respon…
Thousands Of Biometric Gun Safes Being Recalled Due To Faulty Locks That May Fail: CPSC Thousands Of Biometric Gun Safes Being Recalled Due To Faulty Locks That May Fail: CPSC
Thousands Of Biometric Gun Safes Being Recalled Due To Faulty Locks That May Fail: Cpsc Multiple biometric gun safes are being recalled nationwide due to locks that can fail and allow access to unauthorized users, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced.  On Thursday, Feb. 22, the agency issued a series of recall alerts regarding four safes that are subject to the recall due to the faulty locks.  Products subject to the recall:  Awesafe Biometric Gun Safes Awesafe Biometric Gun Safes CPSC MouTec brand Biometric Firearm Safes MouTec brand Biometric Firearm Safes CPSC Machir Biometric Personal Safes Machir Biometric Personal Safe…
Bullet Found On School Grounds In Carmel, Causes Lockdown Bullet Found On School Grounds In Carmel, Causes Lockdown
Bullet Found On School Grounds In Carmel, Causes Lockdown Authorities are investigating after a bullet was found outside a middle school in the Hudson Valley, prompting the building to enter into a lockdown.  The incident happened in Putnam County on Thursday, Feb. 8, when a single bullet was found in a grassy area outside George Fischer Middle School in Carmel just before noon, according to Captain Michael Grossi of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. The discovery prompted the school to go into lockdown for 45 minutes as authorities searched the building and grounds.  The investigation into the discovery is still ongoing, Gr…
'Not All Heroes Wear A Cape': Bus Driver Saves Student From Near Tragedy In Region 'Not All Heroes Wear A Cape': Bus Driver Saves Student From Near Tragedy In Region
'Not All Heroes Wear A Cape': Bus Driver Saves Student From Near Tragedy In Region A 12-year-old girl has her quick-thinking school bus driver to thank for preventing a near tragedy on an area roadway. The Rensselaer County incident happened at around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30 on Route 7 in Pittstown. Sheriff’s officials said a school bus carrying students from the Brunswick-Brittonkill Central School District was stopped on the right shoulder with its red lights and stop sign activated when a white cargo van nearly crashed into it. The van then lost control, striking an eastbound box truck before going off the roadway. Moments before the crash, a 12-year-old girl was…
First Total Solar Eclipse In 99 Years To Be Visible In New York: Here's When, Where First Total Solar Eclipse In 99 Years To Be Visible In New York: Here's When, Where
First Total Solar Eclipse In 99 Years To Be Visible In New York: Here's When, Where New York officials are hard at work making preparations for a historic solar eclipse event that will be the first one visible in the state in nearly a century.  The total eclipse will be visible in the western and northern parts of New York state during the afternoon of Monday, April 8, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul and her office.  On the day of the event, between 3:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., the moon will pass between the earth and the sun and completely block out sunlight, completely turning day into night for 1 and a half to 3 and a half minutes.  The path of totality where…
Sue Serino Sworn In As Dutchess County's New County Executive During Storm Sue Serino Sworn In As Dutchess County's New County Executive During Storm
Sue Serino Sworn In As Dutchess County's New County Executive During Storm Despite the region’s first major storm of the winter season dropping more than a foot of snow in parts of the Hudson Valley, more than 350 guests attended the swearing-in of a new county executive. The swearing-in event for Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino was held on Sunday, Jan. 7 at Dutchess Community College’s Aviation Education Center at Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Wappinger.  “I am so honored and humbled to be with you all as I take my ceremonial Oath of Office for this position," Serino said. "As I get to work for Dutchess County, I want to thank each and every on…
Woman Shoots Victim, Barricades Herself Inside Newtown Residence On Christmas Eve, Police Say Woman Shoots Victim, Barricades Herself Inside Newtown Residence On Christmas Eve, Police Say
Woman Shoots Victim, Barricades Herself Inside Newtown Residence On Christmas Eve, Police Say A woman has been apprehended after police say she shot a victim and then barricaded herself inside a Connecticut residence on Christmas Eve. The chain of events began to unfold in northern Fairfield County around 7:50 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24 in Newtown. Newtown Police Department officers responded to the residence on Boggs Hill Road for a dispute.  Upon arrival, the caller was located on the front porch of the residence with multiple gunshot wounds, the department said.  Officers were able to pull the victim to safety as the suspect retreated into the residence. …
Power Outage Measure: New Law Forces NY Companies To Prioritize Fixing Downed Wires Power Outage Measure: New Law Forces NY Companies To Prioritize Fixing Downed Wires
Power Outage Measure: New Law Forces NY Companies To Prioritize Fixing Downed Wires A new law signed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will force utility companies in the state to quickly respond to downed wires reported by members of the public.  The legislation, which was announced on Wednesday, Nov. 22, will protect residents during storms by requiring utility companies to respond to reports of downed wires no later than 72 hours after the response to the emergency event ends, according to Hochul.  Before the new law was signed, power companies were only required to have a plan to secure a wire on a schedule if it was reported by a municipal emergency official.&nb…
$75 Million Plan Aims To Ease Surge Of Hate, Bias Crimes In NY: Hochul $75 Million Plan Aims To Ease Surge Of Hate, Bias Crimes In NY: Hochul
$75 Million Plan Aims To Ease Surge Of Hate, Bias Crimes In NY: Hochul As a response to the rise in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic crimes across New York State stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict, Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a multi-million dollar plan to keep New Yorkers safe. Earlier report: 21-Year-Old Accused Of Threatening To Shoot, Stab, Rape Jewish Students On Campus At Cornell The announcement came on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Hochul, utilizing all available state resources, declared a multi-branched plan aimed at limiting the number of hate and bias crimes, which she says have risen since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. “Let me be clear: we cannot…
Cameras Would Be Required At NY Parks Under New Bill Proposed After Kidnapping Cameras Would Be Required At NY Parks Under New Bill Proposed After Kidnapping
Cameras Would Be Required At NY Parks Under New Bill Proposed After Kidnapping Get ready to smile big on future visits to New York state parks. New legislation introduced by State Sen. Jim Tedisco would require all state parks, campgrounds, and recreational facilities in New York to have security cameras at all entrances and exits. Tedisco, a Republican whose 44th State Senate district represents portions of Saratoga and Schenectady counties, announced the proposal Thursday, Oct. 5 on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We don’t need the state to ‘study’ and ‘review’ the need for security cameras at our state parks and campgrounds, we need them installed as soon as possib…
Massive Test Of Emergency Alert System Set For This Week: Here's When, What To Know Now Massive Test Of Emergency Alert System Set For This Week: Here's When, What To Know Now
Massive Test Of Emergency Alert System Set For This Week: Here's When, What To Know Now It will only be a test, but it will be a big one. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this week. The national test will consist of two portions, testing Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS) capabilities.  Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. It will be…
Barricaded Suspect Taken Into Custody After Standoff At Hudson Valley Residence: Police Barricaded Suspect Taken Into Custody After Standoff At Hudson Valley Residence: Police
Barricaded Suspect Taken Into Custody After Standoff At Hudson Valley Residence: Police A suspect has been taken into custody after barricading themselves into a Northern Westchester residence and making threats of harm, police said.  The incident happened on Wednesday, Sept. 13, when a person in Yorktown at a residence on Sandpiper Court made threats of harm and claimed they had access to weapons, according to Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble.  Authorities then limited access to Sandpiper Court out of an abundance of caution and told residents on Maple Brook, a neighboring road, to shelter in place as police attempted to bring the incident to a safe ending.&n…
New Update: Prisoner Caught After Escaping Custody In Hudson Valley New Update: Prisoner Caught After Escaping Custody In Hudson Valley
New Update: Prisoner Caught After Escaping Custody In Hudson Valley This story has been updated.  Authorities have caught a prisoner who escaped custody while he was being held at a medical center in Westchester.  The prisoner, identified as 24-year-old Geraldo Rojas, was located in the Bronx on Monday, July 24 after 29 hours of "intensive search efforts," Yonkers Police announced  Rojas had escaped from a prisoner detail at St. Joseph’s Hospital on South Broadway (Route 9) in Yonkers during the early morning hours of Sunday, July 23, police said. Earlier Report - Search On For Prisoner Who Escapes From Custody In Yonkers Rojas, who was taken back into …
Here's Percentage Of New Yorkers Worried About Becoming Crime Victims, New Poll Finds Here's Percentage Of New Yorkers Worried About Becoming Crime Victims, New Poll Finds
Here's Percentage Of New Yorkers Worried About Becoming Crime Victims, New Poll Finds More than half of New Yorkers fear they may become a victim of a crime, a new Siena College poll finds. The poll, released Wednesday, July 12, found that 61 percent of state residents are either very (21 percent) or somewhat (40 percent) worried about becoming a crime victim. Researchers also found that 51 percent of New Yorkers have been worried about their safety, or their family’s safety, in public places. Thirty-six percent of respondents said they’ve felt threatened by a stranger’s behavior in public in the past year. That growing concern was reflected in people’s purchasing decision…
Man Who Climbed Girder Of Mid-Hudson Bridge Talked Down By Police Man Who Climbed Girder Of Mid-Hudson Bridge Talked Down By Police
Man Who Climbed Girder Of Mid-Hudson Bridge Talked Down By Police A suicidal man ran to a Hudson Valley bridge and climbed a girder after spotting police who were responding to a call of a potential bridge jumper. The incident played out in Dutchess County around 4:15 p.m., Monday, June 26 at the Mid-Hudson Bridge in the City of Poughkeepsie. According to City of Poughkeepsie Police Capt. Steven Minard, responding officers were able to quickly determine that man was near the Mid-Hudson Bridge and found him near the entrance. When the distressed man spotted the police he jumped out of his vehicle and ran to, and climbed on a bridge girder, Minar…
Baseball Dugout Death: ID Released For Man Found Dead At Park In Region Baseball Dugout Death: ID Released For Man Found Dead At Park In Region
Baseball Dugout Death: ID Released For Man Found Dead At Park In Region Authorities have identified a man who was found dead at a park in the region. The discovery was made at around 7 a.m. Thursday, June 15, in Saratoga Springs, inside a baseball dugout at the city’s West Side Recreation park. Investigators found the man while conducting a welfare check after getting a call from a concerned citizen, according to Saratoga Springs Police. Earlier Report: Man Found Dead In Baseball Dugout At Saratoga Springs Park In an update hours later, the department identified the man as 55-year-old Steven French, of Saratoga Springs. “Mr. French lived in the area of …