A boat fire in Southampton waters and a Grand Avenue parking mishap top the Shelter Island police blotter for May 23 to 29.
Shelter Island Police, volunteer firefighters, and South Ferry personnel responded to the fire on Sunday, May 29, around 2:19 PM. The 40-foot vessel was in waters between Sag Harbor and Shelter Island. Only one person was aboard; she jumped overboard, was rescued and taken to safety ashore, and no injuries were reported, according to police reports.
SIPD and SIFD marine units responded, and SIFD trucks boarded a South Ferry vessel and approached the boat on fire, preparing to extinguish the fire, but the boat sank. The Southampton Town Fire Marshal was investigating.
Jack A. Josephson of Shelter Island reported that on Tuesday, May 17, around noon, he attempted to parallel park on the east side of Grand Avenue when he hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and entered the parking spot at an unsafe speed. As a result, his vehicle hit the read end of a parked, unoccupied vehicle owned by Liden E. Gonzalez of Riverhead, causing more than $1,000 in damages to each car.
Officers stopped and ticketed these drivers:
- Miguel A. Chafla Sislema of East Hampton on Monday, May 23, around 5:24 PM on North Ferry Road for operating a motor vehicle while using a portable electronic device
- Iris Y. Zonlight of Shelter Island on Friday, May 27, around 10:32 AM on West Neck Road for inadequate or no stop lamps
- Peter J. Saladino of Medfield, MA, on Saturday, May 28, around 10:57 AM, for an improper or unsafe turn without a signal
- Zebulun J. Mundy of Shelter Island on Saturday, May 28, around 9:32 PM on West Neck Road for failure to stop at a stop sign
Officers issued 23 verbal warnings to drivers during traffic stops.
Bay constables stopped and ticketed these boaters on Sunday, May 29:
- Anton J. Bogovic of Southold around 1:34 PM in West Neck Harbor for having aboard no sound-producing device
- Diego Alexander Martinez Gonzalez of Manhattan around 1:40 PM in the North Ferry Channel for having aboard only expired distress signals
Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) have begun summer patrols; in all SIPD issued 32 parking tickets during the week.
Detailed police blotter for May 23 to 29
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 Those named have not been convicted of a crime, and charges against them may be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found not guilty.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, May 23
An electrician working at a Ram Island home accidentally tripped the burglary alarm. An officer performed court duty at Shelter Island Justice Court. A caller reported a missing kayak; the responding officer found it on a beach and returned it to the owner’s dock. A passerby reported an injured deer along a Center roadway; the animal was dead, and the responding officer arranged for the Highway Department to remove it.
A person handed in an 8mm firearm and a box of ammunition for destruction. A Longview caller reported that a rock hit his windshield while driving, causing damage under $1,000. SIFD volunteers responded to an alarm at a West Neck residence; it was inadvertently set off due to ongoing construction. SIPD assisted with fingerprinting a person for employment purposes.
A caller reported observing near misses between vehicles and pedestrians along Route 114 between Winthrop Road and JW Piccozzi due to narrow shoulders and limited sight on the sharp curve. The caller requested additional speed enforcement and a stop sign on Route 114. The responding officer said SIPD would do speed enforcement and post its electronic sign. SIPD would also discuss with the Town Highway Superintendent about possibly reaching out to NYS for a traffic study of this stretch of state-owned Route 114.
SIFD volunteers responded to an audible fire alarm at a Heights location; it proved to be a false alarm. A bay constable encountered two conch pots in the middle of the Dering Harbor channel and relocated the gear so as not to cause a navigation hazard. Around 5:30 PM, an officer conducted radar enforcement in the Center and issued three verbal warnings for speeding.
A caller reported losing his wallet. Another caller reported being stuck in the sand at a Ram Island parking area; a passerby helped free the car. And SIPD officer and sergeant completed 2nd quarter rifle re-qualification training at the Suffolk County PD range in Westhampton.
Tuesday, May 24
Around 3:19 AM, SIPD responded to a burglary alarm at a Dering Harbor residence; the home was secure, and there was no sign of criminal activity. Later that morning, officers directed traffic during road paving.
A caller reported a missing child; an officer found the child within five minutes of the report. A person retrieved an item of property from police custody.
A HiLo dog attacked a woodchuck; the animal control officer (ACO) had the injured animal humanely dispatched. An officer responded to an audible fire alarm report at a West Neck location; it was a false alarm. An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Cartwright area and issued one verbal warning for speeding.
A Silver Beach caller reported being harassed by a neighbor. A volunteer Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services (SIEMS) team transported an aided case to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SB/ELIH). Around 11:17 PM, a Center smoke detector activated; the SIFD found there was no emergency.
Wednesday, May 25
Ongoing issues with the alarm system at the Shelter Island History Center prompted a police response; the alarm company was notified. A caller reported an injured deer on a Ram Island property; the responding officer dispatched the animal and told the homeowner to move it to the roadside for pickup by the Highway Department.
Around 7:40 PM, a Silver Beach caller complained about construction noise; the responding officer canvassed the area but found no workers and no noise at all.
Thursday, May 26
A Center caller reported finding a sick raccoon; the ACO captured and transported it to a vet for humane euthanasia. SIPD completed an inventory of property held in its evidence room, impound yard, and containers, ensuring the storage met with SIPD policy and procedures.
An officer conducted distracted driving and seatbelt enforcement in the Heights and observed no violations. Additionally, SIPD responded to a fire alarm at a Center residence; the use of a blow dryer triggered it.
A Westmoreland caller reported that a paddleboard and boat fenders were missing and possibly stolen from her basement. Bay constables checked that boats stored a Town Landings had permits; they found no violations.
The SIPD detective/sergeant and the chief took part in interviews at police HQ relating to a confidential investigation.
A Menantic caller reported a raccoon stuck in a treehouse; the ACO freed it. Later, a caller reported a sick raccoon at a Ram Island location; the ACO saw a healthy animal that fled when approached. SIPD assisted the Town of Shelter Island Building Department in an investigation.
A caller reported a car idling with windows open in a Center parking lot; the vehicle was gone when the responding officer arrived. Someone inadvertently tripped a smoke detector at Mashomack Preserve; staff attempted to call off the response, but SIFD arrived and confirmed that human error caused the alarm.
SIPD began a harassment investigation after a person complained of unwanted texts and phone calls. The ACO returned a dog to its owner; it was picked up by a passerby who found it along a Center roadway.
Just after 10 PM, SIPD responded to a carbon monoxide alarm at a Hay Beach home; the owner inadvertently trigged the alarm while changing the device’s batteries.
Friday, May 27
A Hay Beach caller reported a person riding a moped failing to maintain their lane; the responding officer canvassed the area but did not find the moped. An officer assisted a driver who was locked out of a vehicle.
A West Neck caller reported a landlord/tenant dispute for documentation purposes. SIPD investigated a complaint that a person paid for but did not receive an item and services. A Center caller reported a snapping turtle stuck in a fence; the ACO freed the turtle and relocated it to a pond it appeared to be heading towards.
A caller reported a domestic dispute and requested additional patrols; SIPD also encouraged the person to reach out to The Retreat for additional support and guidance.
A Center caller reported a dog at large; the ACO recognized the dog and contacted its owner. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
Saturday, May 28
Around 2:19 AM, a West Neck caller reported a loud party; the responding officer found a group of people talking and playing music inside a screened porch. They agreed to turn off the music and move the party indoors.
An officer administered oxygen to an aided case until SIEMS responded and transported the person to SB/ELIH. A caller reported a power outage in the Hay Beach area; SIPD notified PSEG for repairs. The power outage also triggered alarm systems in the Center and Hay Beach.
Officers conducted ECL and parking checks at Bootleggers Alley; they issued five parking tickets and reminded the 18 people fishing to pick up trash upon leaving the beach.
SIPD assisted a person with fingerprinting for employment purposes and helped a driver locked out of a vehicle. Additionally, an officer stopped a person operating an inflatable vessel in the Ram Island area and issued a warning for not having the NYS registration affixed.
A fire alarm sounded at a Menantic residence; the homeowner said it was a false alarm. A West Neck caller reported that a turtle had been struck by a car; the ACO took it to a vet for humane euthanasia. Officers directed traffic and assisted a driver in changing a tire that blew out along a Center roadway.
An officer responded to an alarm at a Longview residence and found the front door open but no sign of criminal activity. However, the homeowner said he would check the home’s security camera and report back if there had been any suspicious activity.
Around 6:50 PM, a Tarkettle resident complained about loud music from SALT Waterfront Bar and Grill. The responding officer found the volume reasonable, with no further action required. Around 8:40 PM, an officer conducted a foot patrol along Crescent Beach and observed no violations.
SIEMS transported an aided case to ELIH.
Sunday, May 29
A Shorewood caller reported fireworks shortly after midnight; the responding officers found no signs of fireworks. Officers performed ECL and parking checks at Hiberry Lane; they issued one parking ticket and reminded the 16 people fishing there to remove their trash upon leaving.
A West Neck caller reported a sick raccoon; the ACO couldn’t find it. Later, the ACO captured an injured red-tailed hawk and transported it to a wildlife rehabilitation center.
A caller reported loose dogs and people in Reel Point’s restricted piping plover nesting area; the responding officer found no violations. SIEMS transported an aided case to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.
Later, SIEMS responded to an aided case, but the person refused medical attention. Finally, shelter Island Bay Constables stopped a vessel for creating an excessive wake while operating between boats fishing near the North Ferry channel. The boat operator got a verbal warning for excessive wake in congested waters and not displaying registration information.
SIPD performed a well-being check and found no problems. Around 1 PM, a Silver Beach caller complained about a tent on privately-owned beachfront land; the responding officer advised the person responsible for it to move the tent to the public area of the beach. Bay Constables assisted a person with a disabled vessel in getting to safe anchorage while awaiting a sea tow service.
A Ram Island caller said someone had shined a light into her window from a boat the previous night for approximately 15 minutes; the responding officer advised the caller to contact SIPD if the vessel returned.
A caller reported a dog at large in the West Neck area; by the time the ACO arrived, the dog had returned home on her own. Officers assisted drivers with disabled vehicles in arranging to have them towed.
The ACO collected the remains of a dead raccoon from a Center beach for disposal. A caller reported a downed limb in a Westmoreland roadway; when SIPD arrived, someone had already cut the limb and placed it by the roadside to await Highway Department removal.
An officer conducted radar enforcement in the Center and observed no violations. A Westmoreland caller reported a vessel speeding in West Neck Creek; it was gone when SIPD arrived. Later, an officer assisted the owner of a disabled vessel in Congdon Creek.
A Ram Island caller reported vehicles parked unsafely at The Ram’s Head Inn; the responding officer found that one vehicle required relocating and notified the owner to move it. A West Neck caller reported loud music coming from Sunset Beach; the responding officer found the decibel level below the enforceable limit. The officer spoke with the bar manager, who was in the process of lowering the music as the dining crowd waned.
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).
