SOMERS, N.Y. Somers Police Department Chief Michael Driscoll presented certificates of appreciation last week to fellow officers and civilians who had taken risks on behalf of the community.
On May 26 at 11:30 a.m., the office got a report of a theft at Reis Park, Driscoll said. We arrived to find people in pursuit of the suspect, whod disappeared into the woods. Andrew Johnson and Tom Garrity were there, guarding the exit from the woods while Karl Andersen and Michael DeMilto were searching in their truck.
Johnson is Somers recreation supervisor, Garrity a member of the town council. Andersen and DeMilto are employed by the recreation department.
The suspect was located and taken into custody by Somers Police Lt. Robert Stanton and New York State Trooper Timothy Gleason. The suspect allegedly was found to be in possession of stolen credit cards and iPods and also was wanted by the New York City police, Driscoll said.
As he presented the award to Garrity, Driscoll added, We get a lot of support from the town council, but usually not this kind.
Somers police officers Peter Gobbo and Brian Linkletter were honored for their prompt response to a reported burglary in progress at an abandoned house in the woods off Route 139. The officers blocked the driveway and apprehended two suspects.
New York State Trooper John Bosley of the Hawthorne barracks was honored for his work as a dispatcher, the person who answers 911 calls.
A dispatcher works behind the scenes and is hardly ever recognized, Driscoll said, "but he plays a tremendous role in officer and civilian safety. He works under very stressful conditions. When an officer goes on a call, its important for him to have as much information as possible before he arrives.
For example, is it a domestic dispute? Are the people violent? Are there any weapons? Is it a burglary or a robbery? Is the suspect still on the scene? If so, where? If he left, how did he go? By foot, by vehicle? Which direction? What kind of car? What did the suspect look like?
The caller might need medical attention, or maybe theyre witnessing cardiac arrest. The dispatcher may have to walk somebody through CPR. This is just a small example of what a dispatcher does. He tries to get as much information in as short a time as possible to help police and civilians. Hes got to be calm. This dispatcher is always very calm. The voice of this dispatcher is very calming.
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