The New Windsor Police Department recently became the first and only police agency in Orange County to participate in New York’s Mobile Access Program (MAP) for use on mental health related calls.

Funded through the New York State Senate and in cooperation with the New York State Office of Mental Health, this program equips select NY Police Departments and local Mental Health clinicians with iPads to utilize Zoom type teleconference calls for mental healthcare purposes. The program provides another option for Police Officers to have when they require some assistance in evaluating a situation when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. The 3 iPads we received use a HIPAA compliant teleconferencing software for mental health consultations. The primary goal of the MAP program is to increase police access to timely mental health consultations and evaluations which should result in less waiting for a mental health professional to respond to the scene, less transports by the police to the hospital and for better planning for follow-up care of the individual involved.

The New Windsor Police Department responded to 298 mental health crisis calls in 2021. Additionally, every sworn-member of the New Windsor Police Department has received special training in how to best manage a situation when an individual is in mental health crisis.

Shown in the photo are: Don Kamin, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Police, Mental Health & Community Collaboration, Deb Salamone, Project Coordinator for MAP and Sgt. Christopher Sylvester.

A BIG thank you to New Windsor American Legion Post 1796!  They generously donated 33 plastic bins containing an assortment of small toys.  The plan is to place a bin in each one of our police cars for times when we need a toy to give to a child that is emotionally upset or is experiencing some anxiety.  The hope is that by offering the child a toy, it will help to calm them and ease their anxiety.  This will also help foster a positive interaction between the child and the Police Officer. 

A special thank you to NW American Legion Post 1796 Commander Joe Pifer and his wife Maria, NW Sons of the American Legion Post 1796 Squadron Commander Bob McCormick, NW American Legion Aux Post 1796 President Lisa VanNostrand, and Town Councilwoman Sylvia Santiago who helped coordinate this all to happen.  

Sgt. William H. Ruger Jr. retirement walk-out and presentation ceremony. Thank you for your 34-years of service to the town. Enjoy your retirement, you earned it.

On December 5, 2001, Nancy Smith, a 32-year-old resident was found deceased in her house on Provost Drive in New Windsor. On that day, Smith’s parents received a call from her office saying that Smith had not shown up to work at the Horton Hospital in Middletown. Concerned, they went to check on Smith at her New Windsor home on Provost Drive, where they found her deceased on the living room floor. Nancy’s death was the result of a vicious attack and the investigation into her murder began.

As the 20th Anniversary of Nancy’s death approaches, the detectives from New Windsor Police Department are, once again, asking for the community’s assistance in identifying Nancy’s killer. To date, over 900 investigative leads have been pursued by members of the NWPD, New York State Police, Orange County District Attorney’s Office and several other Local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies. Over the last few years, detectives have re-examined evidence in this case, re-interviewed witnesses, friends, family members, co-workers and other persons from Nancy’s life. Representatives from both public criminal and private DNA laboratories have been consulted, seeking the latest testing methods and technologies available. So far, we have been unable to identify the perpetrator.

The New Windsor Police Department would like to encourage members of the community to call us with any information they may have about this murder. Any piece of information would help, no matter how small or insignificant a person may feel their information would be. For 20 years, investigators and family members have been trying to find the missing pieces to the puzzle for this crime. There is still a reward of $20,000 being offered, for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person(s) responsible for Nancy’s death.

Investigators working this investigation can be reached at 845-563-4657 or by email at csager@newwindsor-ny.gov.

A Service Achievement Award was presented to Police Officer Brian McLean in recognition of his 25-years of dedicated service to the Town of New Windsor Police Department. Chief Doss and Supervisor Meyers did the presentation.

Congratulations to Officer McLean and thank you for your service to the community!

#REPOST from Vails Gate Steam Academy – Newburgh Central School District

Our Senior Gators listen attentively as PO Arcaro from the NWPD shares anti-bullying and internet safety information. The men and women of NWPD are always ready to #ShoulderUp with us and we are thankful for their dedication and service. #NWPD #VGSA 🐊❤️ 

@newburghschools

Meet Officer Ryan Sussman.  He is one of our officers that has advanced training and experience in DWI enforcement that makes him a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) in New York State.  His primary focus is to take impaired drivers off the road.  He works hard at keeping the roadways safe for everyone in New Windsor.

In the last month, NWPD has arrested a staggering 11 drivers for Driving While Intoxicated or Driving while Ability Impaired by Drugs. 

Chief Robert Doss commented, “There is simply no excuse for these individuals to be behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.  Call a friend, call a relative, get a taxi or an Uber but don’t get behind the wheel because you’re putting yourself and others at risk.  Our DWI enforcement numbers show that our officers are out there making a difference in keeping the roads safe but we need everyone’s cooperation.  These DWI arrests are completely preventable.  Be smart.  Make a plan in advance to get home safe.  You owe it to yourself and you owe it to the community.” 

Learn More about Officer Sussman: View on Instagram

September 25th was National Car Seat Check Saturday so NWPD decided to hold a car seat inspection event at Police Headquarters with the assistance of Orange County Traffic Safety Programs. At the event, car seat technicians checked a total of 19 child seats to ensure they were installed properly and that the seats met safety standards.  A special thank you goes out to Traffic Safety Educators Kecia Healy and Doug Krauss for all the help! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the event and made it a success! 

Do you have a child’s car seat or booster seat that needs to be inspected to ensure it is properly installed?  Stop by at our Car Seat Check Event this Saturday and see one of the Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.  This event is sponsored by the Orange County Traffic Safety Program, the New Windsor Police Department and the NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

Officer Schettini saved a life yesterday with her quick response to the scene of a choking infant.  The 6-month old was limp and turning blue in the face when she arrived.

Her immediate actions in delivering a series of back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades resulted in the obstruction being cleared from his airway.  The infant then began to cry and breathe normally and he was transported to the hospital by NWEMS.  

Today, Officer Schettini returned to the scene to check on the infant and we took this photo.  Great job Officer Schettini we are all very proud of you!