A DWI arrest tops the Shelter Island police blotter for August 1 through 7, a week that includes a delayed report of a traffic control officer’s foot being run over.
Sarah Jo Hollifield, 45, of Sarasota, was stopped around 1:31 AM on Sunday, August 7 for driving the wrong way down a Heights road. She was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated, and ticketed for wrong-way driving and failure to signal, according to the police report. She was processed at SIPD HQ and arraigned at Shelter Island Justice Court where she was released on her own recognizance.
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 Those named have not been convicted of a crime, and charges against them may be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found not guilty.
Accidents
SIPD provided updated reports relating to accidents the previous week:
- On Thursday, July 28 around 3:20 PM, David Wayne Clark of Shelter Island was driving a town-owned pickup truck in the Highway Department parking lot when a towed trailer became detached due to a malfunctioning locking mechanism and struck the vehicle, causing over $1,000 in damage.
- On Saturday, July 30 around 3:09 PM, Jared Hamilton of Shelter Island reported that he was issuing a parking summons to a vehicle on Shore Road when Marc W. Haves of Southampton, backed his vehicle up and rolled over Hamilton’s left foot; Hamilton stated he was not injured and refused medical attention.
- On Wednesday, August 3 around 9:45 PM, Finley O. Shaw of Shelter Island was backing out of a parking space on Summerfield Place when she struck a parked vehicle owned by John T. Conway of Shelter Island resulting in damage estimated at more than $1,000.
SIPD reported the following accidents this week:
- On Friday, August 5, 10:33 AM, an officer on patrol witnessed an incident involving a parked truck owned by Kristian Clark of Shelter Island, which slipped out of gear on an incline on West Neck Road, causing its trailer to roll into the westbound roadway. There was no damage to the vehicle, and damage to the trailer was less than $1,000.
- On Friday, August 5, 3:12 PM, Jared R. Gibbs of Shelter Island was driving westbound on West Neck Road when a deer ran out and struck the right headlight of the vehicle, causing less than $1,000 in damage; the deer ran off.
- On Sunday, August 7, 12:14 PM, a caller reported that after boarding a North Ferry vessel he was asked to back off because he didn’t have enough money to pay the fare; he backed into a ramp railing, causing damage to the vehicle in excess of $1,000 (additional details in next week’s blotter).
Traffic stops
Officers stopped and ticketed these drivers as follows:
- Oscar Cruz Flores of Greenport on Tuesday, August 2, 12:23 PM on North Cartwright Road for aggravated unlicensed operation in the 3rd degree (a misdemeanor), and speeding 48 miles per hour in a 35-mph zone
- Juan I. Borgogno of Shelter Island on Thursday, August 4, 9:47 AM on Manhansett Road for inadequate/no stop lamps
- On Saturday, August 6
- Juan D. Buitrago Perez of East Hampton, 11 AM, and Drew P. Wolf of Greenport, 11:49 AM, on South Ferry Road for operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device,
- Leland J. Murrin of New York, NY, at noon on New York Avenue for speeding 42 mph in a 25-mph zone
- Matthew R. Stein of New York, NY, 6:16 PM on South Ferry Road for driving an uninspected motor vehicle
SIPD also issued 14 warnings to drivers.
Marine incidents
Bay constables issued summonses as follows:
- John Sideris of Southampton on Saturday, August 6, 12:29 PM in Dering Harbor for imprudent speed
- Patrick R. Hile of Bath, Maine on Saturday, August 6, 2:10 PM in West Neck Harbor for failure to display registration validation sticker
- John E. Woodward of Manakin-Sabot, VA on Saturday, August 6, 4 PM in West Neck Harbor for operating a kiteboard within 100 feet of an anchored vessel in excess of 5 mph
- Jeffrey Green of Palm Beach on Sunday, August 7, 12:55 PM in the South Ferry channel for operating at jet ski within 100 feet of shore/dock in excess of 5 mph
Bay constables issued seven warnings to boaters. A marine incident that involved an aided case will be included in next week’s blotter.
Detailed police blotter for August 1 through 7
Monday, August 1
Around 1:36 AM, SIPD assisted a Center caller who reported that a person had left the home earlier in the evening and not returned as expected. Later that morning, an animal control officer (ACO) responded to a Hay Beach call about a fawn stuck in a fence and freed the little one. A Center caller reported hearing an alarm from a neighbor’s home; the responding officer found a malfunctioning smoke detector on the back porch and asked the owner to shut it off.
A Menantic caller reported an injured turtle; an ACO transported it to a vet for humane euthanasia. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Cartwright area and issued two traffic tickets.
A Heights caller reported a sick raccoon; it was gone when the ACO arrived. During a Cartwright traffic stop, an officer found the driver was operating with a suspended license and issued two traffic tickets.
SIPD impounded a bicycle left by a Cartwright area roadside for six days. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
A West Neck fire alarm sounded, but the owner said it was due to ongoing repairs. A West Neck caller reported a dog at large, and said it was an ongoing issue; the owner agreed to send someone to pick up the dog.
SPID pulled over a tractor-trailer on New York Avenue and found it was making a local delivery. A bay constable assisted the operator of a disabled boat by towing it to a Montclair dock. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights. A fire alarm drew an SIFD response to a Center guest house; there was no emergency.
An employee at a West Neck business agreed to notify the alarm company of an ongoing problem with the fire alarm. A passerby handed in a found credit card in the IGA parking lot.
Tuesday, August 2
Around 1:36 AM, SIPD assisted a Center caller who reported that a person had left the home earlier in the evening and not returned as expected. Later that morning, an animal control officer (ACO) responded to a Hay Beach call about a fawn stuck in a fence, and freed the little one. A Center caller reported hearing an alarm from a neighbor’s home; the responding officer found a malfunctioning smoke detector on the back porch and asked the owner to shut it off.
A Menantic caller reported an injured turtle; an ACO transported it to a vet for humane euthanasia. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Cartwright area and issued two traffic tickets.
A Heights caller reported a sick raccoon; it was gone when the ACO arrived. During a Cartwright traffic stop, an officer found the driver was operating with a suspended license and issued two traffic tickets.
SIPD impounded a bicycle left by a Cartwright area roadside for six days. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
A West Neck fire alarm sounded, but the owner said it was due to ongoing repairs. A West Neck caller reported a dog at large, and said it was an ongoing issue; the owner agreed to send someone to pick up the dog.
SPID pulled over a tractor-trailer on New York Avenue and found it was making a local delivery. A bay constable assisted the operator of a disabled boat by towing it to a Montclair dock. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights. A fire alarm drew an SIFD response to a Center guest house; there was no emergency.
An employee at a West Neck business agreed to notify the alarm company of an ongoing problem with the fire alarm. A passerby handed in a found credit card in the IGA parking lot.
Wednesday, August 3
An officer performed radar enforcement on Manwaring Road and observed no violations. A Center caller reported a deer stuck in a fence; it was gone when the ACO arrived.
On behalf of Shelter Island Justice Court, SIPD distributed orders of protection.
A Hay Beach caller reported an apparently injured osprey; the bird flew away when the ACO arrived. The captain of a motor vessel notified SIPD that an irate man had berated his staff and guests while the boat was anchored within the designated area in West Neck Harbor.
A Montclair caller reported a possibly injured osprey that failed to fly away; the ACO wasn’t able to locate it but told the caller the bird was probably a fledgling. SIPD was investigating a report of graffiti in the Center.
In two instances, officers assisted drivers locked out of vehicles. SIPD placed two found bicycles in the impound container. In West Neck, a driver called to document a road rage incident. He passed a vehicle that was pulled over, the vehicle then followed him to an intersection, pulled in front of him to prevent him from moving forward and a verbal altercation ensued.
An officer responded to a call from a HiLo resident about vessels speeding in West Neck Harbor but observed no violations.
Thursday, August 4
Around 5:30 AM, a Hay Beach caller reported two people possibly camping on a beach; when SIPD arrived the caller said the people had extinguished their fire and left the area.
An officer returned an item of property to its owner. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. A West Neck caller reported a missing Boston Whaler; it was found adrift and retrieved without incident. Around 5:20 PM, officers assisted with directing North Ferry traffic.
A Center caller reported a distressed osprey; the ACO determined it to be a healthy fledging near its nest. SPID officers completed pistol requalification at the Westhampton range. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
Just before midnight, an anonymous caller reported loud music in the Menantic area; upon arrival, the responding officer found no one present and no music or loud noise.
Friday, August 5
A Center caller reported a deer stuck in a fence; the responding ACO couldn’t find the animal. An officer performed radar enforcement in the Menantic area and observed no violations.
In an Environmental Conservation Law check in the Center, a bay constable determined that a person clamming at Dickerson Creek was in compliance with town and state shellfishing regulations.
A caller reported receiving unwanted, harassing voicemails. SIFD responded to an alarm at a West Neck location; it was due to a faulty sensor.
SIPD returned a bicycle to its owner. An officer conducted distracted driving enforcement in the center and observed no violations.
SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH; later in the evening, SIEMS transported two more aided cases to SB/ELIH. An open call in the Heights was tracked to a child who accidentally dialed 911. A passerby found a cell phone; SIPD returned it to its owner.
Saturday, August 6
Around 4:14 AM, a burglary alarm called police to a Heights commercial building; the place was secure with no sign of criminality. Later that morning, steam from a shower triggered a smoke detector at a Silver Beach residence.
SIPD responded to a call about a person in need of assistance in the home; a relative arrived to provide support. An officer conducted distracted driving enforcement in the Center, resulting in two traffic tickets and two verbal warnings.
A Silver Beach caller reported a bat on a front porch; the responding ACO removed the critter. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights, resulting in one traffic ticket.
A West Neck caller complained about vehicles parked along a roadway possibly creating a traffic hazard; the responding officer found the vehicles lawfully parked. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH and notified the patient’s parents. SIEMS also responded to a marine incident and transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
Off Crescent Beach, a bay constable working with a Southold PD marine unit secured a vessel that went adrift. A bay constable towed a disabled vessel with six people aboard from about a half-mile off Big Ram Island into Coecles Harbor to await further assistance from a marine towing service.
An officer conducted distracted driving enforcement in the Center and issued one ticket and one verbal warning. Officers spoke with operators of 15 boats anchored outside the designated area in West Neck Harbor; they complied with all orders.
An officer escorted an individual from Manwaring road to Coecles Harbor Marina. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. Just before midnight, a caller reported loud noise from Sunset Beach; the responding officer found the noise level reasonable (ambient noise from insects and wind significantly exceeded the sound of music) but advised the hotel manager, who lowered the volume.
Sunday, August 7
Around 3:27 AM, a Center caller reported hearing gunshots; the responding officer canvassed the area with negative results. Later that morning, a Center caller reported an injured deer on his tennis court; the responding officer dispatched the animal and with an ACO moved it to an area where it could be retrieved by the Highway Department.
An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Heights and observed no violations. SIPD responded to a person who complained via email about unwanted contact relating to a social media post; the officer notified the other parties to refrain from contacting the individual.
A bay constable warned jet skiers operating within the designated anchorage in Coecles Harbor to observe the 5 mph limit and for not having the safety certificates required to operate personal watercraft. In Dering Harbor, a bay constable stopped a vessel for going more than 5 mph in a no wake zone and issued a warning for imprudent speed.
SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. An officer on patrol spotted an unauthorized ice cream vending truck parked without a permit at Crescent Beach; the driver said he was on the Island for a private event and was not selling to the public, but had stopped to eat at Sunset Beach.
Around 4:28 PM, a West Neck fire alarm sounded, eliciting an SIFD response; it proved to be a false alarm. A caller reported a bar on the beach in front of Sunset Beach Hotel; the responding officer found a small bar set up for an individual’s birthday party.
Around 10 PM, a caller complained of noise from a cigarette boat; SIPD observed no violations. A Heights caller reported that a pedestrian had bumped into a parked truck, causing damage. Off Shorewood, a caller reported that an inflatable flipped at its dock and sank; SIPD determined it caused no environmental or navigational hazard.
Around 11:34 PM, SIPD provided assistance when a caller reported a dinghy broke down and drifted to shore, leaving passengers stranded at Crescent Beach.
An officer followed up on a tip about a possible stolen vehicle, but a records search came up negative. Also last week, an ACO conducted regular checks of Town Beaches to enforce the ban on dogs — leashed or otherwise — through Labor Day and issued one verbal warning at Wades Beach.
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).
