A deer v car accident tops the Shelter Island police blotter for December 13 to 19, a quiet week that included a worrisome nationwide report of possible threats to schools on TikTok.
[Editor’s note: We’ve reformatted and reissued our SIPD blotter posts as part of a system upgrade]
Accidents and traffic stops
Amelia M. Raab of Northport was traveling southbound on West Neck Road around 10 PM on Friday, December 17, when a deer ran into the roadway striking her vehicle and causing damage above $1,000.
SIPD officers stopped these drivers and ticketed them as follows:
- Christian DeDalmas of Shelter Island on North Menantic Road for operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile phone on Monday, December 13 at 12:11 PM
- Bartholomew Lawson of Shelter Island on Bowditch Road for failure to stop at a stop sign on Tuesday, December 14 at 7:42 PM
- Sharon Wicks of Shelter Island on Smith Street for insufficient turn signal, less than 100 feet on Friday, December 17 at 6:14 PM
In addition, officers issued 10 warnings to drivers, including five during a STOP DWI enforcement.
Detailed police blotter for December 13 to 19
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 Those named have not been convicted of a crime, and charges against them may be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found not guilty.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, December 13
An animal control officer removed an injured raccoon from a Center location around 7:30 AM. Officers followed up on a criminal mischief complaint in the Heights and confirmed property damage. A caller reported that he was missing a package that may have ended up at the wrong address.
An officer provided a DARE lesson to 6th graders at the Shelter Island School.
Someone turned in documents they’d found, but the officers couldn’t verify the owner’s contact information. So they locked up the papers for safekeeping. Around 5 PM that evening, an officer on patrol observed a suspicious person in the Heights. SIPD provided no further details.
A passerby reported hearing an alarm sounding in a Heights residence near 7 PM; the responding officer found the place secure with no sign of criminal activity and notified the owner.
Later, a volunteer Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services team (SIEMS) responded to an aided case. SIEMS transported the person to Klenawicus Airfield for medevac by Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital.
Tuesday, December 14
A caller reported an aided case; SIEMS responded and transported the person to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport (SB/ELIH) for further evaluation. Officers conducted distracted driving enforcement in the Menantic area.
That afternoon, a Center caller reported he’d received confirmation that a FedEx package was delivered and signed for by an unknown person. But he was unable to locate the package. The responding officer found the package on the front porch of the residence and notified the caller.
Later, an officer assisted a person locked out of a vehicle. Around 6 PM, a caller reported an aided case; SIEMS responded and provided transport to SB/ELIH for medical attention.
Wednesday, December 15
A SIPD officer completed 4th Quarter Rifle Certification at the Suffolk County Police Department Range. Officers responded to a possible menacing over a West Neck property line dispute.
Before 10 AM, an employee at a Ram Island business accidentally set off a fire alarm. SIFD Chief Lechmanski was on the scene.
Officers assisted a Center caller gain entry into a locked closet. SIPD received and followed up on a complaint regarding a juvenile incident. An officer assisted with afternoon school crossing.
Thursday, December 16
In the morning, officers conducted distracted driving enforcement in the Center; they observed no violations.
An officer assisted a caller locked out of a vehicle. SIPD spoke with a suspect in an earlier criminal mischief complaint. A West Neck caller reported that a survey company’s employees were on his property without prior notification. By the time the officer arrived, the employees were gone.
That evening, an officer patrolled at the school during a basketball game. A Hay Beach caller reported lights shining into windows from another residence in possible violation of Town Code; an officer spoke to a person who changed the angle of the exterior lights.
Nationwide, a generalized threat against schools circulated on the TikTok social media platform. Officers responded to reports of possible related local complaints. The next day, officers conducted extra patrols of the school. SIPD reported no local incidents.
Friday, December 17
A morning newspaper delivery driver veering over the center line while tossing papers onto lawns prompted a complaint to SIPD about the vehicle’s failure to maintain the lane.
A SIPD officer conducted an interior patrol of the school. Later, an officer led a DARE session for 6th graders.
An employee at a Center business set off a smoke alarm while preparing food in the break room microwave. Shelter Island Fire Department volunteers (SIFD) responded, removed the device, and ventilated the building with fans until smoke dissipated.
An employee at a Ram Island business reported that someone had accidentally activated a fire alarm. A caller reported an open door at a West Neck location; apparently, tenants didn’t secure it when they left.
An officer was investigating a Silver Beach caller’s report that representatives of a pool company were on his property without permission. He said his landlord agreed not to start pool installation until he moves out.
Prompted by a passerby’s complaint, an officer notified a Center business owner that a promotional flag created a traffic hazard; he agreed to move it to a safer location.
SIPD assisted a person with court documents; the court was closed, and the officer agreed to follow up on Monday.
Saturday, December 18
A Center caller reported an aided case just after 8 AM. SIEMS responded and transported the person to Klenawicus Airfield for a medevac transport to Stony Brook University Hospital. SIPD assisted in securing the landing zone for the Suffolk County PD helicopter.
A system malfunction caused a West Neck area fire/smoke alarm to activate. SIPD assisted an owner in verifying a vehicle identification number.
That afternoon, SIPD assisted SIFD and SIEMS in conducting a holiday parade without incident throughout the Island.
Around 9:30 PM, a Hay Beach caller reported hearing multiple gunshots but couldn’t say from which direction; the responding officer canvassed the area with negative results.
Sunday, December 19
A front door alarm sounded at a Hay Beach residence around 3 PM; the homeowner said the system was experiencing technical difficulties.
A Menantic caller phoned SIPD stating an insurance provider had not contacted her to compensate for a fence damaged in an accident earlier this year.
A caller reported a downed wire on New York Avenue. The responding officer found and removed an old telephone wire that appeared to long be out of use.
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).
