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NORTH SALEM, N.Y. Several North Salem residents complained to police last week about people going door-to-door as representatives of an environmental group. On Tuesday, Aug. 14, a Lakeview Road homeowner reported a suspicious stranger who seemed to know a lot about the family. On Thursday, Aug. 16, a Trotter Drive resident telephoned with a similar complaint.
We always receive a number of calls when NYPIRG comes to town and goes door-to-door, said police Sgt. Andrew Brown, referring to the New York Public Interest Research Group. I also received a call at home last week from a neighbor on Hilltop.
NYPIRG is a nonprofit, student-directed advocacy organization that researches issues concerning environmental protection, consumer rights, government reform, mass transit, voter registration and more.
The group was registered with the town to conduct a survey. The representatives were familiar with some people's personal information because the organization had previously received support from those people.
The following incidents also were reported by North Salem police:
Harassment: A Dingle Ridge Road resident reported the presence of a person on the resident's property on Friday, Aug. 17, in violation of a temporary order of protection. Sgt. Andrew Brown patrolled the area along with a New York state trooper. The violator was located at a nearby market and taken into custody by the trooper. He was taken to the Somers police barracks on a charge of past aggravated harassment.
Raccoon Sighting: A Bogtown Road resident saw a raccoon behaving strangely near Mills and Wheeler roads on Tuesday, Aug. 14. A search of the area and interview with a passing hiker did not produce any further information. The animal was not found.
Unlicensed Dogs: Residents of Finch Road reported dogs running loose on their property. Officer Paul Smith responded along with the North Salem dog warden. They were able to identify the dogs owner, a resident of Dingle Ridge Road, who was issued tickets because the dogs were not licensed.
Downed Wires: A tree fell across Turkey Hill Road and landed on electric wires over the weekend, causing a small fire when the electricity arced. North Salem police notified New York State Electric and Gas, which attended to the problem.
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