A routine traffic stop that resulted in an impounded vehicle tops the Shelter Island police blotter for April 25 to May 1. And, a bus departing a ferry sideswiped a pickup truck.
An officer stopped John P. Mankowski of Sag Habor on Monday, April 25, around 8:36 AM on South Ferry Road. Mankowski was ticketed for operating a motor vehicle with a revoked/suspended registration; aggravated unlicensed operations in the 3rd degree (a misdemeanor), and driving without insurance. Liberty Towing towed the vehicle to the SIPD impound lot.
Janice A. Drofenik of Southold was driving a bus owned by Mi-Cor Inc. of Greenport on Tuesday, April 26, when around 9:05 AM, while leaving a South Ferry vessel, she sideswiped a pickup truck owned and driven by Patrick M. Brabant of East Hampton. While the bus wasn’t damaged, the estimate to repair Brabant’s passenger-side mirror exceeds $1,000.
Officers also stopped and ticketed these drivers as follows:
- Daniel W. Atkinson of Riverhead on Monday, April 25, around 3:45 PM on Clinton Avenue for driving an uninspected motor vehicle
- Caroline M. Ventura of New York, NY, on Monday, April 25, around 6:46 PM on North Menantic Road for using a portable electronic device while operating a commercial motor vehicle
- William Swiskey of Mount Pleasant, SC, on Friday, April 29, around 9:07 AM on North Ferry Road for driving an uninspected motor vehicle.
SIPD also issued five warnings to drivers during traffic stops.
Detailed police blotter for April 25 to May 1
Note: This post is based on information provided by the Shelter Island Police Department. Those named have not been convicted of a crime, and charges against them may be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found not guilty.
Monday, April 25
A Center caller reported a dog at large; when the responding officers arrived, they found the dog on its owner’s property. An SIPD officer performed court duty at Shelter Island Justice Court without incident.
An officer administered oxygen to an aided case until a volunteer Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services team (SIEMS) arrived; the person refused further medical attention.
A passerby brought a “found” dog into SIPD headquarters; the animal control officer (ACO) determined the dog had been on its owner’s property when “found” and reunited it with its owner.
An officer conducted distracted driving enforcement in the Center and issued a ticket (see details above). A dog at large prompted calls from two Center residents. After the first call, the ACO couldn’t find the dog; the second caller followed the dog back to its home before the ACO’s arrival.
SIPD officers responded to a burglary alarm at an unoccupied Menantic structure and found an unlocked basement door. Further investigation found no sign of criminal activity.
Tuesday, April 26
Around 2 AM, an officer on patrol in the West Neck area observed a downed but undamaged stop sign and notified the Town Highway Department to reset it.
A resident reported a possible scam attempt after receiving a call purporting to be from an online retailer relating to a supposed (but unfamiliar) purchase. SIPD provided a DMV lost license plate form to a person whose vehicle was sold.
A Center caller complained of a construction vehicle parked on his property; the property owner where work was taking place said she’d make sure all vehicles remained off the complainant’s land.
SIPD assisted Southold PD in a missing person investigation. An officer conducted distracted driving enforcement in the Center and observed no violations.
Wednesday, April 27
A West Neck caller complained of speeding cars in the Stearns Point Road area and requested additional patrols. An officer notified owners of construction vehicles parked within 30-feet of the West Neck Road 4-way stop to move vehicles away from the corner.
An officer signed a statement confirming a previously ticketed driver had made corrections to a vehicle’s rear taillights. A caller reported a possible Facebook market scam attempt relating to an item she’d posted for sale.
Contractors working on a Dering Harbor guest house inadvertently set off the fire alarm; the Shelter Island Fire Department responded and found no emergency. A Montclair Colony caller reported an osprey in distress; the ACO couldn’t find the bird.
A malfunctioning system at a Center residence triggered a burglary alarm; SIPD responded and spoke with the onsite caretaker, who said he’d contact the company to make repairs.
SIPD opened an investigation into a possible identity theft regarding a household employee allegedly using a person’s debit card.
A dog bit a person in the Center; SIPD notified the Health Department. Just before midnight, an officer on patrol spotted a vehicle idling at a construction site. The driver identified himself as the project manager there to check on a pump that broke earlier that day.
Thursday, April 28
Around 3 AM, a Shorewood caller watching a home via a security camera reported the front door was open; the responding officer found no sign of criminality and notified the owner the door likely blew open due to strong winds.
An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Cartwright area and observed no violations. A Hay Beach caller reported a dead deer; the responding officer moved it off the roadway and notified the Highway Department for removal.
SIPD employees attended Emergency Shelter training presented by the American Red Cross.
A caller reported a possibly intoxicated driver departing from a North Ferry vessel; the responding officer canvassed the area but could not find the vehicle.
Friday, April 29
A worker removing tile inadvertently set off a smoke alarm at a Heights residence. A caller reported a stalled vehicle in a Center roadway; SIPD officers assisted with moving it to safety into the bank parking lot to await repairs. An officer gave the driver a lift to the North Ferry.
A Heights caller complained about a vehicle blocking the alley behind the Grand Avenue shops; when the responding officer arrived, the driver turned up and said he was leaving. Officers transported a person from Greenport to be interviewed at SIPD HQ.
Saturday, April 30
Around 1 AM, a Westmoreland caller reported a possible fire; the responding officer found a small campfire and advised those gathered to ensure they extinguished the fire before departing.
Around 6 AM, SIEMS transported an aided case to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital for further medical attention. An employee at the Shelter Island History Center who forgot the system passcode inadvertently tripped the building’s burglary alarm.
A faulty alarm system tripped again in the Center; an employee said there had been problems with the system. In the Heights, a burglary alarm sounded; the responding officer found no sign of criminality and notified the caretaker. However, the alarm sounded again a short time later.
A caller reported a loose dog; the ACO could not find it. A Shorewood caller complained of noise from someone using a table saw; the responding officer canvassed the area with negative results.
Sunday, May 1
Around 1 AM, a Ram Island caller complained of noise; the responding officer found a group of people on a back patio who agreed to quiet down.
An officer conducted stationary and roaming distracted driving enforcement in the Center around 12:30 PM and observed no violations during low traffic volume.
To learn more about the Shelter Island Police Department, visit its website, shelterislandtown.us/shelter-island-police-department. To report an emergency, dial 911 and provide details to the dispatcher. For non-emergency calls, reach SIPD directly at 631-749-0600. Send mail to PO Box 1056, Shelter Island NY 11964.
If you wish to register a compliment or complaint about the SIPD or one of its officers, you can find the complaint policy here and the compliment/complaint form in English at this link. While you may file a compliment or complaint anonymously, doing so means you lose the opportunity to be contacted for more information or to learn of actions taken related to your compliment or complaint. You may also submit compliments/complaints to a member of the Town Board; they serve as Shelter Island’s Police Commissioners. Report complaints of a criminal nature to the Town Attorney (631-749-0027) or the Suffolk County District Attorney (631-853-4161).
Si desea registrar un cumplido o una queja sobre el SIPD o uno de sus funcionarios, puede encontrar la política de quejas aquí y el formulario para cumplidos/quejas en español en este enlace. Si bien puede presentar un cumplido o una queja de forma anónima, hacerlo significa que pierde la oportunidad de ser contactado para obtener más información o conocer las acciones tomadas relacionadas con su cumplido o queja. Los cumplidos/quejas también se pueden enviar a los miembros de la Junta del Pueblo, quienes sirven como Comisionados de Policía de Shelter Island. Las quejas de naturaleza penal pueden presentarse al Fiscal Municipal (631-749-0027) o al Fiscal de Distrito del Condado de Suffolk (631-853-4161).
