A police rescue after a boating accident tipped two fishermen into choppy waters off Reel Point tops the Shelter Island Police blotter for September 19 to 25, a week with a criminal contempt arrest and three accident reports.
On Friday, September 23 at 7:08 AM, SIPD received a report of a small boat sinking off Reel Point.
Bay Constable Beau Payne and SIPD Officer Glenn Kehl responded and found two men wearing lifevests hanging onto the flipped hull of a 12-foot vessel. They took them ashore where a Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services team (SIEMS) provided aid.
SIEMS transported the men, ages 41 and 50, to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital for further treatment.
According to the police report the two men had been in the water for about 30 minutes. SIPD credited a friend fishing onshore with calling for help.
Arrest
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 Those named have not been convicted of a crime, and charges against them may be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found not guilty.
Kurt W. Schmalz, 52, of Shelter Island was arrested on Wednesday, September 21 at 10:45 AM on three counts of criminal contempt in the 2nd degree regarding violations of an order of protection, Det/Sgt Jack H. Thilberg said in a news release.
Schmalz was arraigned at Shelter Island Justice Court and released on his own recognizance, according to the police report. The judge issued a new order of protection for the victim.
Accidents and traffic stops
SIPD reported three accidents with no injuries but damage in excess of $1,000:
- William G. Martens of New Canaan, CT said he was driving southbound on Brander Parkway on Thursday, September 15 around 10:30 PM when a deer ran out striking his vehicle
- Scott W. Signorelli of Shelter Island said he was reversing in the farm stand parking lot at 2 North Ferry Road on Tuesday, September 20 at 1:30 PM when his right rear bumper hit a wooden stake
- Nancy C. Barr of Naples, FL was driving northbound on Route 114 near E. Thomas Street on Wednesday, September 21 at 7:30 PM when a deer ran out striking her vehicle
An officer stopped Vivian V. Lindemann of Shelter Island on Monday, September 19 at 6:25 PM on South Ferry Road and ticketed her for moving from lane unsafely.
SIPD also issued 11 warnings to drivers and one to a bicyclist.
Detailed police blotter for September 19 to 25
Monday, September 19
A Center caller reported that a neighbor was walking around in her backyard. In Dering Harbor, a caller alerted SIPD to an unauthorized treestand in the Catholic cemetery. A Heights caller reported losing her keys and purse; an officer helped her gain entry into her vehicle and helped her search for the missing items.
A Menantic caller reported an injured turtle; the responding animal control officer transported it to a vet. A Center caller reported a racoon stuck under a solar panel; the responding ACO checked and found it wasn’t stuck.
A Center caller reported a strange vehicle parked on her block; the responding officer found it belonged to a town employee taking measurements. In the Center, a homeowner said a groundhog was in his chicken coop and wouln’t leave; the responding ACO convinced the critter and secured the coop.
An officer completed ALICE instructor recertification training. A pool service provider tripoped a Center alarm by punching in the wrong passcode. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
An officer performing distracted driving enforcement in the Center issued one ticket and four verbal warnings. A Menantic caller reported an osprey stuck between a house and storage unit; the responding ACO freed it and transported it to a wildlife rehab center as it was unable to fly.
Tuesday, September 20
In the Heights, an officer conducting radar enforcement observed no violations. An officer completed third quarter rifle training at the county range in Westhampton.
Wednesday, September 21
SIEMS trasnported an aided case to SB/ELIH. An officer checked a Hay Beach home after a burglary alarm sounded, found no sign of criminal activity and notified the homeowner.
A caller reported an injured deer in the Center, it as gone when SIPD arrived. An officer conducting distracted driving enforcement in the Center observed no violations.
SIEMS, working with the Town’s Stony Brook paramedic, evaluated an aided case and transported the person to SB/ELIH.
After an alarm activated at a Hay Beach home the caretaker said the system was malfunctioning and in need of servicing. A Heights caller concerned about not being able to reach a person requested a well-being check; the responding officer spoke with the person who said she was fine.
A Center caller reported receiving multiple calls from someone seeking money. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH. An individual walking on School Street reported being subjected to harassing behavior; SIPD notified the other party to have no further contact with the individual.
A faulty smoke sensor at a Heights restaurant twice triggered an automated fire alarm around 9 and 11:20 PM; Shelter Island Fire Department volunteers responded and confirmed there was no emergency.
Thursday, September 22
In Longview, a pool alarm sounded; the responding officer found no problem and the caretaker shut off the alarm. SIPD assisted the Suffolk County Police Department in a call relating to a suspect, possibly armed.
In the West Neck area, SIPD handled a dispute between a business owner and person who refused to leave. In Shorewood, a homeowner inadvertently tripped his alarm system. An officer assisted a caller verifying a VIN with the Florida DMV.
A caller reported a tree down on a Center roadway; the Highway Department removed it. An officer helped a driver locked out of a vehicle.
Friday, September 23
In the Center, high winds knocked a tree branch onto electrical service wires; SIPD notified PSEG for repairs. A Cartwright caller said a neighbor’s porta-potty was placed on his yard.
In the Center, a caller reported a tree blocking a roadway and creating a power outage; PSEG responded for power line repairs, and the Highway Department removed the tree.
Around 8:46 PM on Ram Island, a pool house fire alarm sounded; SIFD responded and determined it was a false alarm; it sounded again later and the homeowner agreed to notify the provider for repairs.
Saturday, September 24
An officer on patrol in the wee hours encountered a downed limb blocking one lane of a West Neck roadway; the Highway Department was notified for removal. A caller reported a sailboat broke off its mooring and got tangled with his sailboat, causing damage.
In Hay Beach, a caller reported her dog had attacked a ground hog while walking off-leash; the responding ACO found the groundhog DOA and advised the person to leash her dog when off her own property.
An officer provided a jumpstart in Harborview. In Westmoreland, a caller reported a boat broke off its mooring and was on the beach; the responding officer notified the boat owner. While following up on that call later, a bay constable observed a sailboat washed ashore and notified its owner to retrieve it.
An officer conducting radar enforcement in the Menantic area observed no violations. SIEMS trasnported an aided case to SB/ELIH. An officer conducting distracted driving enforcement in the Center observed no violations. SIPD assisted a West Neck caller with finding a missing bicycle.
A Center caller reported loud music; when the officer arrived the music had been shut off.
Sunday, September 25
A taxi driver reported finding a personal check in his cab the night before; SIPD contacted the owner. In Hay Beach, SIPD provided assistance to a home health aid. SIEMS transported an aided case to SB/ELIH.
An officer provided a vehicle jumpstart.
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 funcionario
