Beacon Police Release More Information On Man Arrested Who Threatened To Shoot Someone On Main Street

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A Little Beacon Blog has asked the Beacon Police Department for more information on the man who was arrested last Sunday morning, who was taken down in a trained Use of Force response after the police had received the call that he had threatened to shoot people on Main Street. According to the Beacon Police, the man resisted arrest by not putting his hands on the wall when ordered to, and then put his arm in front of his body, which was captured on video here.

The Beacon Police have updated their statement issued via Press Release with the following statement below. ALBB is awaiting confirmation on if the man frequents Beacon and lives in the area, or if he was never seen before, and here for a random day. Some in the Beacon community have told ALBB that they are familiar with this man and his unbalanced behavior, but Beacon Police may be able to confirm.

ALBB has issued a Letter From The Editor about the state of Mental Health in Beacon, particularly with those who tend to live or be outside a lot as community members who can act out in different ways that can sometimes threaten people.

Statement from the Beacon Police Department:

“As noted in our April 21, 2024 press release, that day department members responded to a call for a man threatening to shoot people on Main St. Investigation revealed that the incident started when a couple walking on Main St. asked the man not to touch their dog. The suspect then became enraged, threatening to assault and shoot the dog owner and frightening people in the area. An uninvolved witness, who was very concerned by this behavior occurring in front of his children, then called the police who located the suspect, as previously described. One of the people threatened also called and reported the incident a short time later. The suspect was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Resisting Arrest. He was also transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

“A use of force investigation was conducted that included interviews with the suspect, civilian witnesses and officers as well as reviews of recorded phone calls, body-worn camera footage and footage provided by a civilian witness. It was found that due to the suspect’s threats to shoot people, it was necessary for officers to detain him immediately. Further, due to his actions in initially refusing an officer’s orders, his pulling his hand in front of his body and out of sight when an officer attempted to handcuff him and his resistance to handcuffing once on the ground, that the officers on scene used force consistent with department standards and with best practices. Due to involuntary psychiatric evaluation, the suspect’s name will not be released by the Beacon PD.”

Arrest Made on Main Street Evaluated For Use Of Force - Video Footage With Audio

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UPDATE 4/26/2024: The Beacon Police Department has issued an update of what led to the circumstance of this arrest. Click here to read it.

At 9:15am on a quiet Sunday morning in Beacon, an arrest was made by Beacon Police that is currently being evaluated for its Use of Force. The video of that arrest, taken by A Little Beacon Blog, is at the end of this article. Scroll down.

Usually on a Sunday morning at that time, Beacon is just waking up. The streets are still nearly empty of pedestrians. The outdoor Beacon Farmer’s Market in the DMV parking lot has not completely set up yet, but the Beacon Flea Market behind the Post Office is up and running. Coffee shops are open, Mr. V’s Deli is serving breakfast sandwiches, Peaceful Provisions doughnuts has their line out the door before they sell out. Otherwise, that’s it. Most people and businesses are setting up for what will become a bustling weekend day in Beacon.

A Little Beacon Blog happened to be walking down the street with a friend at the time of the arrest. The first sound of shouting came from a Beacon Police Officer, who said: “Phone down! Phone down! Hands on the wall!” The sound was coming from the side of Finders Keepers, inside of the Beacon Car Wash driveway. The officer repeated, louder this time: “HANDS ON THE WALL!” He approached with a handgun drawn. A second officer walked up behind him, followed by a third officer who jogged to the scene. A fourth officer arrived with gloves on. No sirens were heard from the 4 police cars who arrived on the scene.

The officer shouted again: “On the ground. On the ground!”

The person who the officers approached, who was a white male wearing a gray sweatshirt and pants with gray sneakers with neon green soles, started shouting “Ow! Ow!” as he was taken to the ground by the 4 officers. The man shouted: “You took my glasses off! You ruined my glasses. And my pod. And my pod. And my pod. And my pod.”

Screenshot of the male suspect on the ground, putting his arm over his head, before the officer with the rifle came around and placed his own hand on the man to hold his head down.

The first officer came back with a rifle while the three other officers took the man down to the ground. The first officer came around with his rifle pointed down at the man, and then relaxed his rifle as he bent down near the man on the ground to brush away the items that came away from the man’s possession.

The man put an arm over his head, which was covered in a hoodie. The first officer knelt down and put his own hand near the man’s head to hold his head to the ground, applying pressure. The man continued yelling “Ow! Ow! Ow! Get off my head!” The officer with the rifle yelled “Stop resisting!”

The man said in a quieter voice, muffled: “I’m not resisting. I didn’t do anything.”

The first officer responded: “Stop resisting!” The man responded: “I’m not resisting. I didn’t do anything. I didn’t do it. I’m not resisting.” Another officer took the man’s arm to try to bring it back behind the man.

“You’re hurting me. I didn’t do anything. You’re breaking my head! You’re breaking my head! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!” Three officers worked to get the man’s arms into handcuffs. The first officer was leaning into the man by way of his arm on the lower area of the man’s head or neck area. The officer’s legs were supporting his own weight as it bore down into the man’s lower head area, while the officer balanced on his rifle, which was grounded into the sidewalk.

After the officers finished handcuffing him, the man said “Just arrest me,” as the officers spun the man over onto his stomach. The man continued: “I didn’t do anything. You broke my glasses. Get my pod. Alright?…I want my wallet, and that’s it.” An officer said something else, to which the man responded: “I have nothing.” The man continued shouting, then stated “You just beat the fuck out of me. I need my stuff.” The man and the officers continued to argue.

An officer said: “You were threatening to shoot people.” The man responded: “No I wasn’t. No I wasn’t.” The man then asked what was the big deal. “Because I’m white? What if I was Black? Let me up.” He asked for his stuff again, and said he was a white guy.

After the incident, Sergeant Sirrine crossed the street to let witnesses know that this incident was being considered for evaluation because Use of Force was used, and they wanted to hold themselves accountable. At that time, Sergeant Sirrine did not indicate which type of Use of Force. He fumbled with his body camera for a while to turn it on to record the interview, but the body cam would not turn on. He said he thought it might be because he himself went down when the man went down, and his body cam might have gotten bumped, but that it often is problematic. Eventually, the body cam responded and began recording.

Myself (Katie of A Little Beacon Blog), Joe from Max’s, and Brenda from BJ’s Restaurant were all interviewed about what we saw of the arrest. At first he asked if we were “the callers," as in the person or persons who called the police initially. We said we were not, but had been standing here.

We asked him what the reason was that the man was arrested. He answered that a call had come in that a man had a gun, that a call had been made near a doughnut shop. As he troubleshooted his body camera, a voice came over the radio: “Peaceful Provisions” the voice on the radio said.

Once Sergeant Sirrine got the body cam working, our interview began. Joe said that he felt the officer holding down the man’s head down seemed too much. Katie said she saw four officers throw down one man. Sergeant Sirrine corrected her to say that the man was not thrown, but taken down to the ground. Brenda said that she did not see the arrest, but did see the police cars drive past her shop without sirens on.

Katie asked if Sergeant Sirrine if he had recognized the man. The Sergeant said he did not. The Sergeant said that the man had been arrested, and that he might end up in a “psych ward.” The Sergeant said a gun did not appear to in the man’s possession, which is why he had been checking trash cans to see if the man threw it somewhere.

An hour later, A Little Beacon Blog inquired with the doughnut shops. Peaceful Provisions said they did not hear of anything, as were too busy inside to know of anything outside. This was a difficult question session because the apple fritters looked so good. A caller could have been anyone from outside.

Glazed Over was closed to the public at that hour, but an employee was in to set up tables and chairs outside. From the dizzying aroma of the freshly made doughnuts, the employee answered that they had not heard about anything, and that they had been there all morning.

The Beacon Police have since issued a Press Release about the incident, which stated that witnesses to the original incident confirmed the man “threatened people on Main Street with shooting.” The Press Release confirmed that a search of the area revealed no firearms.

Regarding the User of Force, the Press Release expanded: "As other officers arrived and attempted to place handcuffs on him, the body camera footage showed that the suspect pulled his arm away from them and in front of his body. Officers, still unsure if he was armed or not, forced the suspect to the ground. It appears at the time, that they then utilized technique called "body segmenting" to control the suspect. Body segmenting is a technique, which is taught in compliance with New York State's Municipal Police Training Council standards, in which officers use pressure on the hips, head and legs (depending on the number of officers available) in order to control a combative suspect's movement while simultaneously avoiding putting pressure on any areas that would impact the suspect's ability to breath. The suspect was then placed into handcuffs without further incident. He was transported to Beacon PD HQ where he was offered, and refused medical treatment."

The Press Release states that charges are still pending, and that an investigation is ongoing into his alleged actions and alleged motivations. The Press Release does not state specifically what the charges are.

The Press Release concludes that conducing a Use of Force investigation is standard procedure, and that further information will be released when available.

Beacon's Swearing-In Ceremony Disrupted By Pro-Palestinian Supporters Who Were Physically Handled By City Administrator and Veterans

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Congressman Pat Ryan, who represents Beacon in District 18, is being followed everywhere by Pro-Palestinian supporters to demand that he call for a permanent ceasefire of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. The people don’t need to travel far, as they are usually residents of the towns Pat Ryan visits to give remarks to during Swearing-In Ceremonies of these communities.

Like this ceremony at Gardiner Town Hall. And this large protest march in Kingston. And this this 8th night of Hanukkah protest by Jewish constituents and kids at his Newburgh office. Prior to that, this protest also at his Newburgh office by 300 protesters. And prior to that, this first protest at his Poughkeepsie office led by some Beaconites.

The following is a description of what happened at Beacon’s Swearing-In Ceremony, which was captured on video and published below.

On Saturday, January 6, 2024, a four Beaconites, who are regular listeners or participants of Beacon City Council Meetings, were sitting in the audience of Beacon’s Swearing-In Ceremony for new Councilmembers being hosted at the Veterans Memorial Building, waiting to display their message of Ceasefire to Congressman Ryan. It was early in the ceremony, and Senator Rob Rolison (former Mayor of Poughkeepsie) and Sue Serino (newly elected Dutchess County Executive and former NY State Senator) had already spoken.

Congressman Ryan was next to speak. When he did, the four pro-Palestinian Beaconites demonstrating told ALBB that they stood up to unfurl a banner that said "Ceasefire." Say the demonstrators, their intent was to silently stand with the banner as Congressman Ryan spoke. As Congressman Ryan began his remarks, he did so by giving attention the silent visual demonstration in the back of the room by saying: “Before we get interrupted here…” as the display of a banner began to get more audible by opposing Beaconites who wanted to block the banner. The rest of Congressman Ryan’s speech in full is below.

As Congressman Ryan spoke, four more individuals also stood up to block the demonstrators and the banner with their bodies (ALBB is unable to obtain the names of the two Veterans at this time). The demonstrators described them to ALBB as:

  • Veteran with grey hair, wearing black sweatshirt (yellow emblem) & jeans.

  • Veteran with white hair, wearing glasses and black & red sweatshirt.

  • Harold Delamater, Veterans Memorial Building Manager, wearing grey sweatshirt & glasses.

  • Chris White, Beacon City Administrator

The demonstrators said that they tried to hold the banner until they were escorted out of the room under threat of arrest.

One of the demonstrating Beaconites brought his 5 month old baby with him, who was snuggled into a front-facing baby carrier onto his body.

City Administrator Chris White licking his lips in a warm up moment before putting his hands on the smallest protester, who is directly in front of him, while he inched closer to the demonstrator.

Harold Delamater of the Veterans Memorial Building pats demonstrator Veekas Ashoka on the back after helping him roll up the Ceasefire banner. Herold said he wanted the demonstrators arrested.

After a Beacon demonstrator unfurled the banner, the demonstrators were surrounded by Beacon Police, Veterans of the Memorial Building, and Beacon’s City Administrator, Chris White. At one point, according to the demonstrators which can also be heard in the video posted above, City Administrator Chris ordered the Police to arrest the demonstrators, saying: “Arrest them,” but the female Police Officer said she’d need to get approval from someone responsible for the property, the demonstrators told ALBB.

According to the demonstrators, the Police asked Veteran building manager Harold Delamater (pictured above) if he’d like the demonstrators arrested. According to the demonstrators, Harold said that he did want them arrested. ALBB reached out to Harold for comment, but did not receive a response.

According to the demonstrators, the female Police Officer gave them a warning before arresting. At the warning, the demonstrators agreed to leave without being arrested. It was at that time that the demonstrators began their exit.

Pro-Palestinian supporter Veekas Ashoka and his 5 month year old baby were shoulder bumped by a white man with silver white hair as Veekas left shouting: "How many more people have to die before you support a ceasefire, Representative Ryan? How many more kids like mine have to die?"

After that, Veekas walked backwards out of the room, shouting: "Ceasefire Now!" His 5 month year old baby watched the scene from his carrier. Veekas continued: "How many more people have to die before you support a ceasefire, Representative Ryan? How many more kids like mine have to die?" A white man with white hair who had been standing next to Veekas during the entire encounter, sideways shoulder-bumped Veekas and his baby as Veekas walked out, physically moving Veekas to the left. The man did so with arms behind his back and not one change to his facial expression. The force of his body did move Veekas’ body, which you can see in the video above.

After Veekas left, another demonstrator, the smallest of the group, held his sign up. It read CEASEFIRE!. Harold, who is roughly the same height as the demonstrator, grabbed the demonstrator’s jacket and hoisted him up as the demonstrator held his CEASEFIRE! sign above his own head. City Administrator Chris, who is was taller than the demonstrator, reached in to grab the sign from the demonstrator, who leaned away.

Beacon Police were in attendance the entire time with the peaceful demonstrators, so it is not clear why the property manager or City Administrator got physical with the demonstrators and escalated the situation. It is also not clear why the Beacon Police did not recognize this, and assigned escalation to the demonstrators, when their bodies were being grabbed by a city official and property manager.

Left: Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White, ripping a “CEASEFIRE” Sign out of a Pro-Palestinian’s hands (Middle). On the right a male Beacon Police Officer monitoring the scene.

A male Beacon Police Officer was behind the demonstrator holding his arm as City Administrator Chris was wrestling away the sign. However, the Police Officer was watching City Administrator Chris. Harold kept his hands on the demonstrator, and soon all three men had their hands on the smallest demonstrator. City Administrator Chris succeeded in ripping the Ceasefire sign in half.

City Administrator Chris White pointing the protestor to the door as Veteran’s Building Manager Harold Delamater and a Beacon Police Officers place their hands on the demonstrator to push him forward.

The tallest and third protestor exited the room while chanting “Ceasefire!” and was pushed out by Harold.

The smallest demonstrator holding the small Ceasefire sign was pushed out by a Beacon Police Officer and pulled out by City Administrator Chris. Before he was forced to leave, he chanted “Ceasefire Now!” and a round of applause returned his gesture.

Later, outside of the building, the smallest demonstrator told ALBB that City Administrator Chris called him an “asshole,” to which the demonstrator replied: “You’re violent.” City Administrator Chris apparently repeated the insult, and the two went around again before stopping. There was a Police Officer between between the demonstrator and City Administrator Chris at that point.

A demonstrator shouting “Ceasefire Now!” while being pushed by a Beacon Police Officer and pulled by City Administrator Chris White.

The fourth demonstrator recounted their experience, which was not captured in the video. They described to ALBB:

“I was being blocked by the Veteran with grey hair, wearing a black sweatshirt & jeans. This gentleman kept shouting "stop touching me" while standing in front of me and the "smallest demonstrator" when we first got up. This tactic was to misconstrue the events and make it appear as if we were violent, although two men were forcibly gripping our banner. Our goal was to silently hold the banner within Pat Ryan's line of vision. None of the attendee's would have even known we were there, if these individuals just stayed in their seats. Shouting "stop touching me" turned everyone's attention to us.

“With two men, strongly gripping the Ceasefire banner, I attempted to keep a portion of it open, unaware that I was working against two men which explains why it was so difficult to hold it up. In my attempt to keep the banner up, I was being pulled down into a table behind me. I was then scolded for leaning on the table. You can see the Veteran with white hair & glasses moving the table in the video, as if the materialistic object had more value than my safety. A male Police Officer looked me in the eyes trying to capture my attention, as he saw I was struggling to keep the sign up. I was informed that they will have to arrest us if we don't leave. I let go of the banner and walked out the door before the other demonstrators. Luckily, I escaped the altercation that followed, where the smallest demonstrator was pulled by his jacket by Chris White's hands. I chanted "Ceasefire Now" as I walked in front of Veekas.”

Said Veekas to ALBB after the demonstration: “Many members of the audience messaged me directly to express their appreciation after the event was over. One member of the audience was so moved by the action that she started chanting ‘Ceasefire Now’ and left with us.”

Congressman Pat Ryan’s Speech In Beacon

Congressman Ryan’s speech was brief and addressed the national and global outrage of the massacre in Gaza and awakening to the growing and violent occupation of Palestine by Zionist Israeli military. He said: "When the rubber hits the road, local government making Beacon a great shining example of what a Hudson Valley City can and should look like. The moment we are in the country - the world - at least in my lifetime - really incredible division. Just ask anyone taking this oath. To really reflect on what that oath means. The idea of essentially explicitly making yourself as an individual 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, below a greater common good. Below a city, below a county, a state, below a nation. Really recognizing that in a time of incredible polarization, the only path through this is a recognition that we don't all get exactly everything we want. We have to be willing to compromise and work together and be civil. That comes from ego and self pursuit of those aims is what causes that division."

Pat Ryan may have been implying that ego is what drove the demonstrators to demonstrate peacefully and silently, until they were blocked and physically handled by Beacon's City Administrator and some Veterans in the building. The Congressman should also note that part of why Beacon is a "shining example" is because of the demonstrating that citizens do for a number of different causes. Sometimes being aligned, sometimes working toward alignment.

In this case, "willing to compromise" on 23,000 Palestinian lives killed, and Israeli hostages still not safely home, who are in fact equally threatened under Israeli's indiscriminate bombardment using weapons funded by the United States Government, is not something many Beaconites will compromise on.

People Sworn In

The following people were sworn in, except Wren Longo. It had been rumored that she had resigned previously. Her resignation was officially announced at a City Council Meeting later. The Mayor appointed Pam Weatherbee to replace her, and appointed Amber Grant, a former City Councilmember, to return to the Councilmember At-Large position. The Council could have insisted on a public vote, but did not do so at the Mayor’s strong urging.

Paloma Wake, Councilmember At-Large, sworn in by Justice McCray (former City Councilmember)

Pam Wetherbee, Councilmember At-Large, sworn in by George Mansfield (former City Councilmember)
Pam was later moved to Ward 3 after Wren’s resignation.

Molly Rhodes, Councilmember Ward 1, sworn in by Mayor Lee Kyriacou.

Jeff Domanski, Councilmember Ward 2, sworn in by Justice McCray, who he replaced.

Dan Aymar-Blair, Councilmember Ward 4, sworn in by George Mansfield.

Mayor Lee Kyriacou, sworn in by Congressman Pat Ryan.

Watch the entire Swearing-In Ceremony here (does not include visuals of the disruption).

Suspect Arrested For Attempting To Make Entry Into Caller's Apartment In Tompkins Terrace

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From the City of Beacon Police Department Press Release:

“On November 19, 2023 at approximately 2pm the Beacon Police Department received a call for a male suspect possibly attempting to make entry into the caller's apartment in Tompkins Terrace. Officers responded and located the suspect in the complex. Investigation revealed the the suspect was a two-time convicted felon who was currently wanted on additional Robbery charges out of the City of Newburgh. He was arrested, processed and turned over to the City of Newburgh Police Department.”

There was no mention in this release on if this arrest was connected to the shootings earlier in November 2023 or May 2023. Tompkins Terrace is an affordable housing community where many children, parents and elderly reside.

Local Woman Stabbed In Her Home On Wolcott; Neighbors Say Domestic

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During the news coverage of the arson fire on Wolcott Avenue, and the man found dead in the stream along Teller Avenue near Wolcott (he lived in an apartment house across the street from house that was set on fire on Wolcott), a stabbing injury of a woman in her home also in that area occurred on January 27, 2023. Neighbors familiar with the situation said it was by a man who was known to her, who was possibly emotionally out of balance. The Beacon Police have not confirmed this.

The woman was saved by the Beacon Police and EMS personnel who arrived to treat her. She was taken to a hospital for further treatment and released.

Three days later on January 30, 2023, the Beacon Police Department issued a Press Release stating the condition of the woman, identifying the man, and listing his charges. Sometimes these Press Releases are signed by the publishing officer. This one was not.

The Press Release reads as follows:

“On January 27, 2023, the Beacon Police Department received a call from a female who reported that she had been stabbed in her home on Wolcott Avenue. Officers quickly responded to the scene and located the suspect still inside the home with blood on his clothes. They immediately took him into custody and proceeded inside where they located the victim upstairs.

“She was conscious and alert but bleeding heavily from multiple wouds to her neck area. Officers began rendering aid and called for EMS to respond to the scene. The victim was transported to the hospital by EMS where she was treated and later released in stable condition.

“The suspect was … charged with:

  • Assault in the First Degree (Class B Felony),

  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree,

  • Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree,

  • Menacing in the Second Degree and

  • Criminal Obstruction of Creating (All Class A Misdemeanors).

“Max was arraigned in Beacon City Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail.”

While some have asked if crime is up in Beacon, it is important to notice that these stories that are published seem to be connected to each other in terms of timing and location. There is a Police Blotter that has had numerous indications of crime and discomfort, but not all of those items get reported on by local media. Also, not all of the items that go reported in the Police Blotter are released to media outlets who publish them, as A Little Beacon Blog discovered last year while researching the murder of Rene Vivo aka Scout.

In transparency, for the man found dead in the stream, neither A Little Beacon Blog, the Beacon Free Press nor the Highlands Current reported on that until after the raging house fire that happened two days later, when the community waged an outcry for details of his death - which has so far been deemed unrelated to the fire.

City of Beacon Identifies Walter Miranda As The Man Who Died In The Woods Along Teller Avenue - No Foul Play Suspected So Far

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On Thursday, January 26, 2023, the City of Beacon has released the name of the man who died on New Years day in the woods in a stream that runs along side Teller Avenue. It has been 26 days since the man’s name has been publicly released, yet some locals did know who the man was. While there was speculation for the cause of death, it surprised some that identification was not confirmed. Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White emailed the press release to ALBB (often we are with our young kids or dog/cat pets or at the dentist, so emails are appreciated).

According to a press release written by the City of Beacon’s Chief of Police Sands E. Frost - one of the most comprehensive press releases written to date - the man who passed away was Walter Miranda, age 58 who resided at 916 Wolcott Avenue, which is a multi-unit apartment house located across the street from the house that was torched two days later by someone else, owned by the same landlord. The incidents have never been connected.

The stream that runs under Teller Avenue, near the area where the City of Beacon Police were called to respond to the suspected deceased body, who was identified as Walter Miranda, age 58.

According Chief Frost, no foul play was suspected after a dual-investigation by the City of Beacon Police and the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office. Chief Frost stated: “Everything regarding the joint investigation is pointing to Mr. Miranda's death being related to a fall causing a head injury.” The stream that Walter was found in was a shallow, rock-bed stream. Exposed rocks were in several areas. If one were to cross over the barricade near the sidewalk on Teller Avenue (across from Ballet Arts), and fall into the stream, with one’s head hitting the rocks, that would be hard fall.

According to locals who knew Walter, he was a skilled carpenter who passed into Beacon. He had friends on the street and beyond. He worked from job to job doing carpentry work during the seasons.

Chief Sands Frost’s press release has been re-published in full below:

 

On January 1, 2023 at approximately 11:46am, the City of Beacon Police Department received a call regarding a person believed to be deceased in a stream located in a wooded area just off Teller Ave. near Henry St. This was called in by a subject who was with his family. The City of Beacon Police Department responded, along with the City of Beacon Fire Department, Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Ambulnz.

EMS workers advised the subject was indeed deceased and the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office was contacted and they responded. A joint investigation into the death was started immediately by the City of Beacon Police Department and the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office.

The deceased person was identified as Walter Miranda. He is a 58-year-old male who resided at 916 Wolcott Avenue in the City of Beacon.

An autopsy was conducted on Mr. Miranda on January 3, 2023 by the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office. The City of Beacon Detective Bureau spent many days examining security footage from area cameras and interviewing associates and family members of the deceased. Important information was gathered regarding social interactions, habits, any chemical dependencies, etc.

Although the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's Office has not finalized its report yet due to awaiting toxicology results, everything regarding the joint investigation is pointing to Mr. Miranda's death being related to a fall causing a head injury. There are no other signs of a struggle or any other injuries indicating an assault.

I know community members get frustrated when something like this occurs in the area and not much information is available right away. We owe it to the victim and to the victim's family and friends to be as thorough as possible investigating any death that may seem suspicious. This process can take quite a while to complete. Our heart goes out to Walter's family and friends. We would also like to thank everyone who cooperated with us in the investigation.

Sands E. Frost
Chief of Police

 

Man Pursues Woman On Main Street; She Runs For Help To Sunoco; A Man Arrested On Willow Street

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In at least the second incident this week involving the Sunoco gas station that A Little Beacon Blog knows about, a woman was chased by a man on Main Street on Friday morning near the Sunoco gas station. According to someone who saw it but does not know exact details, the man was allegedly trying to get the woman into a car. The woman was wearing pink, may have been Puerto Rican, and may have been in her 40s. The person familiar with the incident thought the car may have been hers, and that she and the man pursuing her knew each other. These details have not been confirmed by Beacon Police.

According to one ALBB reader in Instagram comments, “There was a man dragging a woman in the parking lot and she was yelling that he was violating her and didn’t want him to hit her again. I asked her from my car if she needed help and she shook her head. He gave me dirty looks and I bounced because I had my kid with me and she said she didn’t need help.” A very brave thing for a mother to do - shout from her car to increase attention to the situation.

According to a witness, as the man pursued her, the woman ran from him into the Sunoco gas station seeking help. The man grabbed her at the door and threw her back onto the ground, according to a witness. Beacon Police were called and came right away. The man apparently ran away, with police in pursuit.

A Little Beacon Blog has left a voicemail with Detective Johnson of the Beacon Police. Should he respond with details, this article will be updated. ALBB will also submit a FOIL for the Police Report, and is assuming that it will take some time before it is available, if the report remains open during the investigation, as the reports are typically not released to FOIL requests before they are closed.

A Man Arrested On Willow Street

Sidewalk where the man in the tan shirt and black backpack was arrested.

In a possibly unrelated matter but during the same morning, at about 8:45am-ish, a bald man in a tan shirt and black backpack was pursued and arrested on Willow Street, according to witnesses. Just before his arrest, neighbors could hear yelling on Oak Street and Willow Street, where backyards intersect.

Willow Street is behind and a few short blocks away from the Sunoco gas station. Several police officers were at the scene. Some officers searched the area after the man was taken into the police car in handcuffs.

After the man was in the police car, a different person on a bike peddled up to a police officer to give the officer a small black pouch, and left.

Beacon Police Initiative Attempts To Aid In De-Escalating Domestic Calls: "Let Us Know" Program

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Last year, the Beacon Police Department launched a new initiative called the “Let Us Know” program, spearheaded by Lieutenant Tom Figlia, encouraging people with delicate situations at home to call the police in advance with character information about a family member that could help police officers answering a call know the person they are about to encounter a bit better.

In an announcement made last year, the program works as follows: “As Police Officers, we know that mental health status is fluid. We also know that we may be called to respond to incidents involving your loved ones who are experiencing health or age-related changes to their mental health. We want to make sure that calls like this are handled as safely as possible for everyone involved. If you have a loved one experiencing these changes and you’re comfortable doing so, you can now contact us so we can discuss the situation and find out things like what tends to escalate or de-escalate the person, who their emergency contacts are, etc. before we get a call. We’ll put this information into our database and if an officer is called to respond to your loved one and we know who it is, we can update the officers on their way. There is no way to prevent every stressful situation, but as a department, we’ve learned that we see the safest, most positive outcomes when we know the backgrounds of the people we’re interacting with.”

Lt. Figlia gave an example to ALBB about how the program could work: “If someone was concerned that a loved one’s mental health was deteriorating to a point where there may be police involvement, it could be helpful for everyone for us to know some things before we get there. We often spend a lot of time talking to the people who we were called on, so it could make all the difference in the world for us to know if, for example, the person loves to talk about baseball but gets very upset if you mention their step son.”

De-escalation seems to be the main objective with this program. “We want to be able to de-escalate individuals who are escalated and keep calm individuals who already are. It is also very helpful for us to have emergency contact information for people who may find themselves in crisis or suffering from ailments like dementia.”

Having the information before arriving to a scene is the priority, said Lt. Figlia. “While there are unlimited factors which contribute to the outcome of a situation, we would prefer to have that information before we get called, so that no one is scrambling to figure it out when every second counts.”

2 Car Collision On Beacon's Fishkill Ave. Results In 1 Fatality and 2nd Accident Injuring Police Officer

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At approximately 9:51pm on Saturday, February 5, 2022, two cars collided on Fishkill Avenue (aka Rte. 52) near Industrial Arts and the John Deere tractor lot. One driver was killed almost instantly, and the other driver suffered body pain and was transported to a hospital. After the accident, police closed the road and remained there to reconstruct the scene.

Fishkill Avenue moments after the car accident when emergency responders had arrived.

Hours later, a Beacon Police Officer was assigned to the road closure detail and was sitting in his car with his emergency lights activated when a third car driving from Beacon to Fishkill rear-ended him, kept on driving, and then collided into an unoccupied tow truck, upon which it came to a stop. That driver was arrested for DWI, resisting a breath test, and issued various other traffic violations, according to the press release issued by Beacon’s Police Department the day after. The Police Officer was taken to the hospital where he was evaluated and released.

Said one Beaconite who lives near the scene of the accident:I had just been driving past there 10 minutes before. We had space heaters on in the house that muffles the street noise, so we didn’t hear it. I went outside to grab something from my car and saw all the lights. This stretch of Fishkill Avenue is terrifying. So many near accidents happen outside of our house. I’ve written the Fishkill Town Board about it multiple times. I love my house and neighbors, but living here comes at a price!”

This story was reported earlier by the Highlands Current and MidHudson News. The press release is below in full:

### Press Release From The City Of Beacon Police Department ###

On 2/5/22 at approximately 2151hrs (9:51pm), the City of Beacon Police responded to the area of 511 Fishkill Avenue for a two car head on motor vehicle accident involving a Subaru Outback and a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The male driver, and sole occupant of the red Subaru, was later identified as Derron E. Holmes, a 49-year-old Beacon resident. Holmes was not breathing and did not have a pulse; therefore, he was removed from the vehicle and resuscitation efforts were administered. Holmes was transported to St. Luke's Hospital via Ambulanz where he was later pronounced deceased.

The second operator, and single male occupant of the Jeep, suffered from pain in multiple areas of his body. He was transported to Vassar Brothers Medical Center by Beacon Volunteer Ambulance and later released. The roadway was closed for traffic in order to reconstruct the accident which was being completed by the New York State Police Accident Reconstruction Team.

At approximately 0113hrs (1:13am) on 2/6/2022, a City of Beacon Police Officer assigned to the road closure was seated in the driver seat of his marked patrol vehicle with the emergency lights activated when he was rear ended by a Ford Bronco. The Bronco continued traveling North on Fishkill Avenue and struck the rear of an unoccupied tow truck where it finally came to rest. The lone occupant of the Bronco was identified as 49-year-old Joseph M. Jarossy of Glenham. Jarossy declined medical attention and was arrested by the New York State Police where he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breath test, as well as miscellaneous vehicle and traffic citations related to the accident. He is scheduled to appear in the City of Beacon Court at a future date.

The Beacon Police Officer was transported to St. Luke's Hospital by Ambulanz where he was evaluated and released. The fatal accident is still under investigation and no further details are available at this time.

- Detective Sergeant Jason Johnson #315

###

Two Incidents Of Beacon Deaths Not Included In Beacon Police Blotter Submitted To Media

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At least two incidents that happened in Beacon in December 2021 involving violent death and several witnesses were not included the Police Blotter submitted by the Beacon Police Department to the Highlands Current, a weekly newspaper that covers Philipstown (Cold Spring) and Beacon.

Those incidents were: the stabbing of local “Scout” Rene Vivo on Christmas Day 12/25/2021 who later died, and the traffic accident on Teller Avenue and Main Street where a Jeep was turning left onto Teller Avenue from Main Street and struck a spritely grandmother and local, Carla Giuffrida, who later died. The blotter for the month of December reportedly included 535 calls, a few of which newspapers like the Highlands Current reprint.

The City of Beacon’s Daily Police Blotter that has not been updated since 11/7/2021. Last checked: 1/10/2022.

The Beacon Free Press used to publish in print select items from Beacon’s Police Blotter, but has not recently. The Highlands Current does publish the blotter digitally on their website, which you can find by doing a search for “blotter” on their website. The City of Beacon claims to publish a Daily Police Blotter, but it has not been updated since November 7, 2021.

To introduce their second article on the killing in the paper’s member newsletter, Editor Chip Rowe mentioned new news about the incident: “This week we have news of a homicide on Main Street in Beacon on Christmas Day (and the difficulty we've had getting any information about it from the police).”

When A Little Beacon Blog inquired to Chip about the new news, which involved a report of a previously unofficial assault (yet highly rumored incident) on 12/15/2021 revealed in the December 2021 Police Blotter submitted to the newspaper, he said that he had opened the Police Blotter emailed to him by the Police Department shortly after the Friday 1/7/2022 issue went to press. The 12/15/2021 assault was not included in the print edition of the newspaper, but was added to the digital version.

The blotter item for 12/15/2021 read: “Rene Vivo, 65, of Beacon, was charged with second-degree assault after an incident on Main Street.”

The description did not include if the assault was in response to any action, such as an act of defense, or if Rene was being followed and acted in self defense after being attacked, or any details about who the assault was done to.

The Highlands Current article included a memorial piece for a victim, “Scout” Rene Vivo, which included a list of dates covering information that was released by the Beacon Police Department regarding that stabbing days after the incident occurred. The Beacon Police Department made a public announcement about Scout’s stabbing on 12/30/2021, one day after ALBB published an article about the incident on 12/29/2021.

After noting that two major events were missing from the blotter of 535 calls, the curated blotter article published by the Highlands Current was edited to read: “Editor’s note: The information here is provided to The Current by the Beacon Police Department. It may not be complete; although state law treats police blotter records as public records, with some narrow exceptions, the department removed information about at least two serious incidents from the December blotter at its discretion. It may have removed items from past blotters, as well.” The editor then noted that the omitted incidents they are aware of had been added to the list, using brackets to set them apart.

A Little Beacon Blog has emailed Beacon Police Chief Sands Frost, City Administrator Chris White and Lieutenant Tom Figlia seeking a response from any of them as to why an item would be omitted from the police blotter submitted to a media outlet. As of this publishing, no response was given.

Said Kristin O’Neill, Assistant Director of the New York State Committee on Open Government, when asked by ALBB about police blotter legislation: "The Freedom of Information Law governs access to all government records and does not specifically address the availability of specific types of records. There is no law of which I am aware that requires that police blotter information be proactively disclosed. You may need to submit FOIL requests on a regular basis in order to receive all reports."

The Highlands Current submitted a FOIL request for a police report on the stabbing, and reported: “On Wednesday (Jan. 5), the department denied a Freedom of Information Law request for the police report on the [12/25/2021 “Scout” Rene Vivo] incident from The Current 29 minutes after it was submitted.

It is unknown if these incidents resulted in an open investigation, then perhaps they would not be included in the blotter. However, Mayor Kyriacou confirmed the stabbing incident to Mid Hudson News days after the event. The newspaper later deleted the article and his confirmation. Witnesses were at the scene of the traffic accident on Main Street and Teller Avenue earlier in the month. The police report for that incident has taken at least one month to be made available, according to people familiar with the investigation.

It is unknown how many open investigations there are total, and if those incidents were included in any blotter submitted to the media.

As of 12/23/2021, when ALBB inquired about the traffic accident involving the 11 year girl who was hit by a car while on her bike coming home from school crossing Verplanck and Matteawan that happened on 12/20/2021 (and was included in the December 2021 blotter), ALBB received this response from Lieutenant Figlia: “Sorry for delay in getting back to you. Going forward, please make any requests for information through the City Administrator’s Office.” ALBB has not received a response from the City Administrator’s Office since forwarding the emailed questions to City Administrator Chris White. Months ago, the City Administrator has also directed Beacon’s Parks and Recreation Director to not answer questions from ALBB. The City Administrator has not answered dozens of questions from ALBB since he was hired.

The two items added to the published blotter at the Highlands Current are as follows:

  • [A pedestrian was struck by a car at Main Street and Teller Avenue and later died.] This was the pedestrian, Carla Giuffrida, 75 who was struck by a Jeep turning left from Main Street onto Teller Avenue on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

  • [A Beacon man was stabbed during an assault and later died at the hospital. He was later identified as Rene Vivo, 65]. This was “Scout” Rene Vivo, 65, who was stabbed on Saturday, December 25, 2021 and later died.

For the traffic accident involving Carla Giuffrida, the police report remained open and was not released to the public at least by the end of December. The Highlands Current had submitted a FOIL for it by mid-December and was denied. Sources familiar with the investigation confirmed that the police report had not been made public by the fourth week of December.

A car vs pedestrian accident involving an 11 year old girl being hit by a car on her bike while crossing Verplanck at Matteawan on Monday, December 20, 2021 was in the original police blotter submitted to the newspaper. According to sources familiar with the investigation, that police report had not been made public by January 5, 2021.

Quiet Man Rene Vivo "Scout" Stabbed On Or Near Main Street In Beacon - Died While Walking Towards Home

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South Brett Street, where Scout succumbed to his injury.

UPDATE 12/30/2021: A GoFundMe fundraiser has been created for Rene Vivo’s funeral costs by his family. His niece Selaine Garcia has invited the Beacon community to attend his funeral. More details are coming.

Rene Vivo (aka “Scout”) with his sister, Rene Vivo Colon, near his home in Beacon at Forrestal Heights.

Beacon was quiet on Christmas Day, as it usually is. Most shops were closed, and there were not very many walkers or drivers out, according to people who did venture out that day. Within the 3pm hour, the man known as Scout who wears khaki pants and outdoor gear every day, with a variation of a feather or feathers in his atire, was stabbed on or near Main Street in the vicinity of Feeds R Us and Max’s and Amacord, according to people familiar with the incident. After being stabbed, Scout apparently walked down South Brett Street, where he succumbed to his injury on the sidewalk in front of a home. Police were called when a neighbor saw him lying down, according to people familiar with what happened.

Mayor Kyriacou confirmed to Mid Hudson News that the Beacon Police are actively investigating the stabbing. According to the article, the police are treating it as a homicide. Over the past few days, police have been contacting businesses and residents seeking information on the alleged stabber. There are city-owned cameras located on Main Street that the police are able to use in investigations. Archiving data from those cameras is part of the budget of the Beacon Police Department.

According to people who knew him, Scout lived in Forrestal Heights, the tall apartment building located off 9D near the Loopers Plaza basketball court and Beacon Dental. Forrestal Heights is public senior housing run by the City of Beacon Housing Authority. According to a Beaconite, his name was Rene Vivo and he was 65 years old.

Scout was a Vietnam Veteran with the Marines. According to those who knew him, he had a clean record, followed similar walking patterns almost every day, and did laborer jobs now and again. According to those who knew him, he was a proud member of the Taíno people of Puerto Rico.

Neighbors on South Brett Street who saw him every day are shocked and saddened to learn of his death. The police investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 845-831-4111.

If you know any history of Scout’s life, please share it here, to carry on his story, if he would like it told. ALBB is also seeking a photo of him. Most Beaconites have seen him for years and years, but may not have a photo to remember him by.

Beacon Police Department Detective Bureau Issues Press Release After 2-Car Accident On Main Street

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Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, the Beacon Police Department issued a Press Release regarding some details of the 2-car accident that resulted in both cars colliding in the middle of Main Street, and injuring at least 4 people. The Press Release was emailed by Detective Sergeant Jason Johnson, who stated to his media list that he had been out of the office on Monday, causing a delay in response.

The Press Release is below in full:

On Sunday May 9, 2021 at approximately 4:00pm, City of Beacon Police Officers responded to the intersection of Main Street and North Cedar Street for a report of an auto accident involving a vehicle into a building and an injured child. Upon arrival, it was determined that two vehicles had collided in the intersection and the force of the impact caused one vehicle to strike two unoccupied parked vehicles and the second vehicle to jump the curb coming to rest on the sidewalk. A 6-year-old boy’s foot was trapped underneath a rear tire and numerous bystanders were able to push the vehicle off of his foot. Both drivers along with the child were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries by Beacon Volunteer Ambulance, Phillipstown Volunteer Ambulance and Mobile Life Support Services. An investigation into the accident led to several traffic citations being issued. The City of Beacon Fire Department assisted at the scene.   

Read more about the accident in a full article at A Little Beacon Blog here.

Beacon Listens To Verdict Of Derek Chauvin; Justice and Accountability For George Floyd And World

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On a summery Spring Tuesday afternoon, the verdict on Derek Chauvin arrived. This was after national morning news reports of speculation on how this decision could take weeks to deliberate.

Social media started lighting up at 4:30pm when news surfaced that the verdict would be read in court in moments. It had only been 2 days since the trial ended. Personal texts started arriving with predictions. Prep-time for after-school activities for parents and kids began as some people had the TV on live cable news channels or SiriusXM radio to hear live coverage.

Laces for cleats for soccer and flag football, as well as ballet slippers were pulled tight as the verdict was read for ex-police officer Derek Chauvin: Second-Degree Unintentional Murder (Guilty), Third-Degree Murder (Guilty) and Second-Degree Manslaughter (Guilty). The jury took 10-hours to deliberate over 2 days, according to CNN.

Quietly, the Black community has been watching this trial in revived trauma, afraid of no justice, while listening to reports of what the jurists were shown and told. Yet surprising testimonies were given by police training experts condemning the use of force, including the Police Chief Medaria Arradondo of the Minneapolis Police Department, who testified against former police officer Derek Chauvin during the trial: “To continue to apply that level of force to a person proned out, handcuffed behind their back — that in no way, shape or form is anything that is by policy,” said the chief as reported by the New York Times. “It is not part of our training. And it is certainly not part of our ethics or our values.”

Moraya Seeger DeGeare, MA, LMFT, a therapist based in emotional therapy in Beacon who until the last few years also lived in Minneapolis (she was born and raised in Beacon), tagged A Little Beacon Blog with the thought: “As we sit in anxious limbo…waiting. It’s come up a lot in therapy how although only kids at the time - remembering the Rodney King verdict, how this feels the same 30 years ago. Remember that fact, no matter the outcome of this trial. We MUST have the conversations with our kids.”

And each other. Thanks to local people and groups who organically organized over last Summer 2020, Beacon showed up and pulled up for the injustice and mistreatment that has been happening to Black people for ever. Groups like Beacon4BlackLives, which organically started with a few people including Justice McCray, Ciarda Hall, Stefon Seward, Xavier Mayo, and Cedric Parksdale, gave Beacon the opportunity to speak out, and tell stories that have otherwise gone untold or not believed.

Statements From Local Officials

A Little Beacon Blog has reached out for statements from Beacon’s Police Chief Sans Frost, the Vice President of the Beacon Police Union Michael Confield, and Mayor Lee Kayriacou. Should any of them respond, this article will be updated.

UPDATE: The City of Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou has responded with a statement.

Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro has issued a statement via Instagram: “With faith in our justice system, and sincerest prayers to the Floyd family, I’m hopeful out of atrocity today’s verdict will help heal our nation. It won’t bring George Floyd, Gianna’s father back - may we always seek accountability, justice and peace.”

The work has just begun and as George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, said in a speech after the verdict, “We have to do this for life. We have to protest,” as he spoke of the work ahead as the family celebrated the moment, but vowed to continue for police reform, beginning with the the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act of 2020, co-written by Vice President of the United Sates Kamala Harris.

Locals responded, including Fareground, Poughkeepsie Observer, Beacon Hood Chicken, Zhanes Pallette, Twinkle, Beacon4Black Lives, Yvonne de Salle, and others.

Opportunities To Gather

Those who are wishing for togetherness have an opportunity to gather in Newburgh for an evening organized by former Beacon Councilmember Ali T. Muhammad, who is a Beaconite currently living in Newburgh and running for Orange County Executive. Details are here, and the trip to Newburgh for the event would be worth it. The event will be co-hosted by Melanin Unchained and Ali at Sunset, with a potluck available for those breaking fast for Ramadan. Address is 29 Prospect Street, Newburgh, NY.

City Of Beacon Hires Police Chief Search Firm For $24K And Appoints Citizen Committee

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On July 20, 2020, the City of Beacon City Council voted in favor of hiring the search firm Public Sector Search to conduct the search for a new Chief of Police for the City Of Beacon after Chief Kevin Junjulas announced his retirement effective July 7, 2020.

In response, Mayor Kyriacou appointed a formerly retired officer, William Cornett, to serve as Acting Police Chief for 90 days, a decision that was met with controversy between citizens and the police union. Chief Cornett stepped down after 40 days in the position, and currently, Lieutenant Frost from the Beacon Police Department has been appointed Acting Chief.

The search firm will be paid $24,000, with additional expenses not to exceed $6,000 according to the firm's proposal. Included in the proposal are 2 Facebook Live Community Forums (60 minutes) and 2 community focus group meetings (60 minutes each). Additional forums and group meetings can be billed at $200/hr plus expenses.

For an additional $1,500, the firm was hired to put together a survey of the public, to provide input into what they want in a Police Chief. The survey has been open for a bit and concludes on September 4, 2020. Mayor Kyriacou released a robo-call two weeks ago informing the public of the survey, and it has been mentioned at City Council meetings. For an additional $1,500, a survey can be put together to survey the Police Department itself.

How The Search Firm Will Work

Details of how the search process will work are included in the firm’s proposal which can be found here. The timeline is a projection of 4 months (resulting in a November selection time).

The first month focusing on project management setup and interviews with local government leaders, key personnel, department heads, and other internal or external stakeholders to get a feel for the city’s culture and structure. The next phase is a community engagement report from the survey and any community forums held. The firm will then design a brochure and website landing page to display the job posting.

The firm will then advertise it at recommended locations it made like New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Executive Research Forum, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, National Black Police Officers Association, and FBI National Academy Associates. Qualified candidates will then be collected, and the firm stated that it will also rely on its own relationships and outreach to find a candidate.

The candidates will be presented to the Mayor and search committee, after going through a screening process. The Mayor and City Administrator will be given access to a background check report, and Mayor Kyriacou suggested that the search committee head, Terry Nelson, also have access to that background check. Terry accepted. Once finalists are selected, “the search committee work is completed,” according to the proposal.

Appointment Of Citizen-Based Police Chief Search Committee

The creation and announcement of the search committee was fast and not widely publicized. The announcement was made via press release on July 29, 2020, and was initially criticized by members of the public during the Public Comment portion of the meeting on August 3, 2020. Thirteen people were selected, 7 of whom are citizens only and not with any government appointed commission.

Community participants included clergy and school employees, as well as the locally based Beacon4Black Lives organization, which came together at the start of the racial protest nation-wide in response to police brutality and the call to make Black lives matter more.

One of the lead organizers for Beacon4Black Lives, Justice McCray, has been vocal about how the city should proceed with the selection of new leadership, and was not asked to be on the committee. However, one of his fellow leaders, Stefon Seward, was asked by Mayor Kyriacou, but Stefon voiced confusion during the City Council meeting, stating: “I think Justice Would have been a way better fit than me, and I don't know why he's not there.”

A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Justice for comment: "I was on the City Council call when they were voting to spend $24,000 to hire the police chief search firm. I called in and said they shouldn't. A lot of people did. The council voted to do so anyway."

Further communication ensued in social media around a miscommunication between the parties. A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Mayor Kyriacou to clarify what resulted in a misunderstanding about his feelings towards the protests in Beacon ending if a police chief was hired. His response to A Little Beacon Blog was: “No of course not. The call from Terry and me was about soliciting participants for the Chief selection committee. What I said was that selecting a Chief was incredibly important, because if we find the right one who shares the same goals for change, then change becomes easier. As I recall, Stefon put an interpretation on what I said, and I immediately corrected that interpretation. No one person, chief or otherwise, will address all the concerns, protests and need for change that have arisen.”

Mayor Kyriacou went on to say, in response to A Little Beacon Blog seeking clarification on his misunderstood statement: “Private comment not for any publication:  it’s incredibly important for any reporter to rely on the speaker making a statement, and not on hearsay, which is what someone else says that someone said. Hearsay just encourages miscommunication.”

A Little Beacon Blog does not grant blanket “off the record” situations by email or phone. We must agree to it first, before the speaker speaks. A definition of hearsay, spoken in response to the act of researching such hearsay, is on the record.

The committee members are as follows:

Chair:
1. Terry Nelson – Councilmember Ward 1

Community Participants:
2. Deborah Felder – school guidance counselor; involved in local NAACP chapter
3. Deacon Marty Mayeski – Saint John’s the Evangelist; Lewis Tompkins Hose Chaplain
4. Pastor John Perez – Faith Temple Church of God in Christ
5. John Rembert – former City Councilmember; retired U.S. Army veteran; ordained clergyman
6. Molly Rhodes – director, Teach for America
7. Stefon Seward – Beacon High School graduate; co-founder Beacon for Black Lives

Community Participants:
2. Deborah Felder – school guidance counselor; involved in local NAACP chapter
3. Deacon Marty Mayeski – Saint John’s the Evangelist; Lewis Tompkins Hose Chaplain
4. Pastor John Perez – Faith Temple Church of God in Christ
5. John Rembert – former City Councilmember; retired U.S. Army veteran; ordained clergyman
6. Molly Rhodes – director, Teach for America
7. Stefon Seward – Beacon High School graduate; co-founder Beacon for Black Lives

City Participants:
8. Air Rhodes – Councilmember Ward 2
9. Michael Deane – Chair, Human Relations Commission
10. Sands Frost – Beacon Police Lieutenant (currently the Acting Chief)
11. William Cornett – Beacon Acting Chief of Police (no longer the Acting Chief)
12. Anthony Ruggiero – City Administrator
13. Gina Basile – Human Resources Director

Chair Person Terry Nelson’s Vision For The Police Chief Selection

Terry has been outspoken in his goals for the selection of the new chief, which can include a promotion from within, but seems to be weighted for a broader search. In response to questions from A Little Beacon Blog, Terry explained: “I want the committee to look at the civil service definition of chief, which just lists the minimum requirements and then think about what are some other important characteristics they would want to see in a police chief. Together I want us to come up with a description of what we want to see in a chief.”

Terry expressed during this week’s 8/31/2020 City Council Meeting that one of the biggest problems he intends to solve, or get closer to solving, is helping Black and Brown people and people of color not be afraid to call the police.

Terry further explained in an interview with the Highlands Current: “I’ve had people ask me, ‘Why are they protesting? Why are they bringing this stuff up again?’ But this stuff is my daily life. This stuff is me getting in my car and getting on the highway and being conscious of the speed limit, or having my headlights on, or, am I doing everything right? What if I get stopped? What do I do? It’s a conversation that is long overdue.”

Nation-wide, but in New York State in Rochester, another example of police brutality that happened in March has been revealed this week: Daniel Prude, who was asphyxiated while unarmed and not wearing clothes, after police put a bag on his head, according to this local news report at 13WHAM. “Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Prude’s death a homicide. Under the cause of death was listed ‘complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint,’ excited delirium and acute phencyclidine (PCP) intoxication,” according to 13WHAM.

Police were responding to a mental health call that Daniel’s brother had made. During a press conference held today with Free The People, Daniel’s brother, Joe Prude, was quoted to have said that “he called first responders to get help his brother in the midst of his mental health crisis. In retrospect, Prude says he wishes he’d never made that call. ‘All I was trying to do was get him some help,’ said Prude.

Back in Beacon, the community, like all communities across the country, look to each other for examples of how to reform training, hiring, and cultural mindset, that currently, is playing out quite visually in the form of police violence, which speaks to underlying cultural issues which foster that violence, and normalizing it.

Might it be time for police officers themselves to speak up against other officers, even in other states, as a way to signal cultural awareness, acceptance, and protection? As a way to demonstrate anti-racism? Not just saying “I’m not racist,” but by showing it? Showing the solidarity to the Black and Brown community who watches their own get treated so badly? And therefore lives with a fear that a white person does not know?

What if police officers in Beacon marched in plain clothes in a local march?

Despite Promise To Publish Police Officer Names On Website (Not Published Yet), Beacon Requires FOIL Submission To Get Names

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If you were wanting to look up the name of a police officer in town, you will need to submit a FOIL request, according to the City Manager, Anthony Ruggiero when A Little Beacon Blog asked for a list of female officers, Black officers, and officers of color. Perhaps we should have rephrased the question to: “Can you send the list of all officers.”

FOIL stands for the Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6) and grants members of the public access to the records of government in accordance with its provisions. When asked if the City of Beacon was publishing FOIL requests already received, Anthony answered: “The requested FOIL information is still being compiled. Once complete it will be posted on the website.” Once that is complete, it is not clear how long new requests will take to get published onto the website in an ongoing way.

When asked if Beacon had fulfilled Mayor Kyriacou’s promise of publishing the names of police officers onto the website, that he announced at the July 7, 2020 City Council Meeting, Anthony answered: “This information is being compiled and worked on and when complete it will be posted on the City Website.”

During an interview on ALBB’s sister podcast, “Wait, What Is That?” we asked Mayor Kyriacou if he thought it a good idea to publish names and pictures onto the website, as a way to get to know those in the community providing protection. As not everyone knows who the police officers are, as there are about 36 of them, and most people don’t need the police that often so as to meet each one. Mayor Kyriacou thought it a good idea.

A Little Beacon Blog will submit this FOIL request as requested, and will look forward to learning the names of those serving the community when they are published onto the website. It will be easier to wave “Hello!” when walking by someone on the street.