Community Policing

Community Policing Unit

Our primary focus is on the people in our community. We work in a proactive way, getting to know the people who live and work around us. We believe that by interacting with our community, we can reduce crime and increase the quality of life for the people we serve.

The Community Policing Unit is often called upon at perform various tasks for the community. All Community Policing Unit officers spend time giving presentations in local schools & to various community and professional groups. The subjects range from bicycle safety to drug/alcohol awareness. In addition to this, unit members are also very active in providing emergency response planning strategies to our local schools and businesses. They will even assist many locations annually with running emergency response drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

The Community Policing Unit also ensures that quality of life here in New Windsor remains very high. Unit members are trained to pay particular attention to small details out in the town that may go unnoticed to the untrained eye. Things like graffiti, unwanted loitering, noise complaints and suspicious activity receive special attention to ensure they do not develop into bigger issues. New Windsor has some of the most beautiful parks in the county and it is not unusual to see a Community Policing Unit officer patrolling the park in a police car or even walking through the park talking to the public.

Emergency Business Contact Form

If you are a new business owner here in New Windsor, you may have already been visited by a Community Policing Unit officer welcoming you to the town. In the event that you have not been visited yet, please fill out the confidential ‘Emergency Contact Form’ to ensure the police department has the most up to date information regarding your business.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about any of the programs we offer, please call Sgt. Hannah Lake at (845) 563-4637 or send her an email. Also, be sure to stop by and talk to the Community Policing Unit at the New Windsor Police Department tent at Kristi Babcock Park on Community Day this year.

Fraud & Scam Prevention & Tips

The New Windsor Police Department, along with other agencies throughout the country, have seen an increase in fraudulent schemes affecting senior citizens. To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, Sergeant Lake suggests following these tips:

- Do not provide sensitive information over the phone. Sensitive information includes your Social Security number, credit card information, banking information, and passwords.
- Do not use gift cards as a form of payment - legitimate organizations will not accept this as payment.
- If someone calls, representing themselves as a law enforcement agency, and directs you to bail a family member/friend out, it is probably a scam.
- If you receive a call regarding unpaid taxes, a loan you owe money on, etc. and are being directed to withdraw cash and remain at your house to await a courier, or to send the money via mail, or wire transfer, it is probably a scam.
- Use diligence when someone asks you not to tell anyone that you are sending money/withdrawing money – that could be an indicator of a scam.

If you believe you may be in contact with someone who is attempting to defraud you, cease contact and call the Town of New Windsor Police Department at (845)565-7000. Download NWPD's Flyer on Fraud & Scam Prevention Tips!

Car Break-Ins: Avoid Car Theft Smash-and-Grab

It takes less than ten seconds for a thief to break your car window and snatch the iPod, laptop, or purse on the front seat. That’s 10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . . 7 . . . 6 . . . Think about that the next time you dash into a store to pick up a cup of coffee or park your car for the night.

Each year, $1.26 billion in personal items and accessories are stolen from vehicles in about 1.85 million thefts. For every theft, experts estimate there are several break-ins and attempted break-ins. Don’t become a statistic. Protect yourself! Here are 10 common sense habits and tips for preventing car break-ins.
Download the entire NWPD Guide on Prevention Tips!