Beacon Police Department Confirms Arson In 925 Wolcott Ave. Fire After Dutchess County Investigation Division Investigates

After sunset on the day that 925 Wolcott was allegedly set fire before sunrise, the Beacon Police Department released arrest details of the suspect in a press release issued by Detective Sergeant Jason Johnson #315 at approximately 5pm on January 3, 2023. The press release reads as follows:

On 1/3/2023 at approximately 06:25am, the City of Beacon Police along with City of Beacon Fire Department responded to 925 Wolcott Avenue for a fully engulfed fire. The building was determined to be unoccupied as it was currently under construction. Two nearby residences sustained exterior heat damage. The Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division was contacted and also responded. An investigation revealed that the fire was in fact arson and previous tenant Brian P. Atkinson was subsequently arrested. Atkinson is 56 years old and currently undomciciled. He was charged with the following:

• Arson 3rd (1 count) Class C Felony

• Reckless Endangerment 1st (2 counts) Class D Felony

• Criminal Mischief 2nd (2 counts) Class D Felony

The defendant was processed and he is currently awaiting to be arraigned in Beacon City Court.

The press release did not mention if the suspect had turned himself in, as stated by other reports and the building owner. The Beacon Police Department did not respond to ALBB’s request for that confirmation as of this publishing.

“Undomiciled,” according to Urban Dictionary, means: “Housing challenged. The politically correct way of saying one is homeless. props to dforce for this one.”

Additionally, Beacon’s Building Department or City Administrator did not respond to ALBB’s request for confirmation if the construction had indeed stopped prior to the fire per the City of Beacon’s issuance, as reported in the Mid Hudson News. If ALBB learns more from the building owner, this article will be updated.

ALBB previously reported on this story here.

Beacon Police Release Report Of Car Fire In Madam Brett Park From May 2022

Back in mid-May, A Little Beacon Blog reported on a car fire that happened on a hiking trail in Madam Brett Park along the Fishkill Creek. We submitted a FOIA for the police report, which remained open for some time, and therefore could not be released. Yesterday, the City of Beacon Police Department released the Police Report BL-002891-22 that described the scene as the responding Officer Jason Burns described it in his Police Report.

The description from the Police Report has been republished in full below. Names of anyone identified have been redacted from the report, and ALBB cannot see them, if they are there.

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05/18/2022 10:30 — BURNS, JASON (071):

“This officer responded to a report of loud banging noises coming from the area of the creek at Madam Brett Park. Upon arrival, I entered the parking lot for Scenic Hudson and observed a large fire approximately 50 yards down the walking path from the trailhead. I then observed it was a fully engulfed vehicle fire on the pathway, with flames reaching the overhanging branches.

“I radioed the situation to dispatch who initiated a fire response via 911. While awaiting the arrival of BFD, I heard a loud booming sound and observed the left rear tire of the vehicle explode from the expanding air in the overheated tire. BFD arrived on the scene and proceeded to extinguish the fire.

A generic Mercedes Benz GL450, not the one found in the woods, but a picture used for reference.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia

“Once the fire was put out, PO Sequist, Sgt Confield, and myself inspected the vehicle and observed no one inside. The vehicle was observed to be a Mercedes Benz GL450, with the color unknown as all of the paint had been removed and burned by the fire. It also bore no registration plates and was devoid of the VINs located at both the bottom of the windshield on the driver side and above the driver side door sill.

“The entirety of combustible material within the vehicle had burned completely. All officers conducted a canvas of the area for any additional evidence with negative results.

“The on-call detective was notified and Detective Lawrence responded to the scene. The scene was processed and the vehicle was removed by High-End Auto and transported to DPW where it was cordoned off by crime scene tape and in the view of security cameras. File 25 sent. Case TOT detectives.”

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According to a witness who spike with ALBB, the Beacon Police were called at around 4:11am, and arrived at approximately 4:20am. In ALBB’s previous article:: “At least one resident was woken up by the the sounds of the burning car, overcome with the feeling like their bed was shaking. They said that the explosive sounds sounded like someone was throwing bricks in a dumpster, or gunshots. Smoke billowed up to the tree tops, scorching the trees.”

Car Lit On Fire In Madam Brett Park, "Could Have Taken Woods," Beacon Police Allegedly Say

UPDATE 8/1/2022: The Beacon Police have released their report about this car fire. Read about it here.

On Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 in the early morning hours, a car was driven or drove into Madam Brett Park, turned left into the parking lot, continued onto the walking path along Fishkill Creek, and then was consumed in fire accompanied by loud explosion sounds. Madam Brett Park is managed by Scenic Hudson, and this part of it is in the jurisdiction of the Beacon Police. Both agencies have been contacted for comment by ALBB, but neither have responded yet. Should they, this article will be updated.

Tree tops at Madam Brett Park scorched by fire of the car that was parked and on fire on the walking path at 4am on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

While that area is densely wooded, there are residential houses that overlook the scenic area. At least one resident was woken up by the the sounds of the burning car, overcome with the feeling like their bed was shaking. They said that the explosive sounds sounded like someone was throwing bricks in a dumpster, or gunshots. Smoke billowed up to the tree tops, scorching the tree tops.

The Beacon Police were called at 4:11am and they arrived by approximately 4:20am along with the 3 trucks of the Beacon Fire Department, who worked to put out the fire. A Beacon Police Officer told a resident that the gunshot sounds heard were the windows and tires of the vehicle exploding. When the resident called the next day to follow up, an officer reiterated that the sounds were the exploding windows and tires.

According to a witness, by 5am, the first responders were allegedly still down on the path dealing with the aftermath of the fire as smoke was still being produced.

One resident asked a Beacon Police Officer if this car fire was the work of the “kids who hang out up the path.” Apparently kids hang out further up the path, and an occasional housing-challenged person who sleeps under a structure. According to the resident, the police officer said: “This wasn’t kids.”

In the past, the resident has been told that the area where the kids hang out is not in the jurisdiction of the Beacon Police.

According to the resident, the police officer thanked the resident for calling them, stating that he was concerned that the fire may have spread in the woods.

At approximately 6:35am, a tow truck came to take what the resident described as a “carcass” of a car. They said that the car was unidentifiable at that point, but resembled a medium SUV perhaps in the Jeep family. By 7am, there was water on the ground allegedly from the from fire trucks.

As of this article publishing, the Beacon Police have not responded to ALBB for comment, or posted a press release with further information to their Facebook page, as they do from time to time. It is unknown at this time if an investigation is being conducted into the cause of the fire.

According to a sign at Madam Brett Park, this park and Long Doc Park, buth managed by Scenic Hudson, have been victim to vandalism recently.

Back in 2017, one of the old factories caught on fire in the early morning hours after an explosion was heard, and was consumed in flames. The City of Beacon Fire Department was assisted by firefighters from Glenham and the Village of Fishkill, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. It is unknown if the cause of the fire from the investigation was ever discovered or released.

Anyone with information is directed to call the Beacon Police Department 845-831-4111 with any tips.

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

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

###

COVID-19 At-Home Rapid Tests Available Now At Beacon Police Department - Limited To 1 Per Household

Announced by Mayor Kyriacou during Monday’s City Council Meeting 12/20/2021, Beacon is slated to receive a limited number of COVID-19 rapid self-tests that can be taken at home. Thanks to the COVID-19 response plan that New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on 12/20/2021, home tests and KN95 masks are being sent to municipalities, starting now. Other states like Ohio have been providing these since before Thanksgiving.

Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro announced today via press release that the tests are coming in limited supply, and will be issued 1 per household, where proof of residency in Beacon is required. Shortly thereafter Beacon’s Police Department announced today that the first shipment of tests has arrived and are available in limited capacity to 1 per household with proof of residency of living in Beacon. Tests aren’t the only thing arriving to the Beacon PD headquarters - see the two giant donated pallets of soda that arrived earlier in the week, which the Beacon PD is also looking to donate to residents.

ALBB called to verify hours of pickup with the call-in desk of the Beacon Police Department, and was told that the department is open 24/7, and that people can pick up one test at any time - with proof of Beacon residency, and it’s only 1 test kit per household. Inside of each kit there are two tests.

The Beacon Police Station is located at 1 Municipal Plaza, which is the building on the way to the train station. The police department is the door on the lower right, below the main door to City Hall. There is a parking lot for easier access.

County Executive Molinaro said: “As we are in the midst of this COVID-19 surge during the busy holiday season, the County’s goal is to distribute these tests and masks throughout our community to help curb this growth in positive cases. We thank both our local and state partners for their cooperation in assisting Dutchess in this critical mission.” He added that KN95 masks are being donated to municipalities as well and may be available with the test kits.

As of Wednesday 12/22/2021, according to the Dutchess County Dashboard, there are 1,745 Active Cases of COVID-19 in Dutchess County, which is an increase since last Friday, when it was 1,487. There are 99 Active Cases in Beacon (last week was 65), and there are 77 people in the hospital with COVID-19 in Dutchess County (last week was 68 people hospitalized).

Very few people are boosted, as their initial vaccinations begin to wane. The CDC says that boosting improves the body’s ability to fight the virus. Find out where to get vaccinated in or near Beacon at www.vaccines.gov (it’s such an easy website!)

How Many At-Home COVID-19 Tests Will Be Available?

According to the county’s press release, at home COVID-19 tests are being distributed based on population of the municipality. Tests will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis, and will not be held if someone calls ahead. The press release also stated: “While supplies are limited, distribution from New York State is expected to be recurring and the County will continue to work with local municipalities to distribute test kits as they are received.”

With To Do With A Positive COVID-19 Test Result

According to Dutchess County’s press release, residents who receive a positive result from an at-home COVID-19 test must:

• Immediately self-isolate, even if they are vaccinated; as part of 10-day quarantine; and

• take a picture of the positive at-home test result within 24 hours and report the positive case to the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH) at www.dutchessny.gov/COVIDpositive

After reporting the positive result to the County health department, residents will receive a phone call from a contact tracer and are strongly encouraged to answer that call. However, with current high case volume, it may take a few days before a contact tracer calls. Residents are asked to be patient and continue isolating. If a resident’s symptoms worsen or they experience difficulty breathing following a positive result from an at-home test, they should consult their physician or dial 9-1-1.

 While at-home tests approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are reliable, it is possible to receive a false negative. If residents experience symptoms and test negative, they’re urged to take another test within 24-48 hours. 

Negative test results from at-home tests may not be sufficient to return to work or school.  DBCH will not accept negative test results from at-home for early release from quarantine. Negative results do not need to be reported to DBCH.

Vaccination Status Of City Employees At City Hall

During the 12/20/2021 City Council Meeting, Mayor Kyriacou explained how they have decided to comply with Governor Hochul’s mask mandate for unvaccinated people in indoor spaces: “We have chosen to all wear a mask rather than to ask for vaccination,” he explained. “Upstairs, everyone is vaccinated. Other departments of the city where not everyone is vaccinated…they are wearing masks. Applies to all indoor spaces.”

The Police Department is located in the downstairs section of City Hall, as are other offices of other departments in the City of Beacon.

How To Know When A New Shipment Arrives

Mayor Kyriacou said that availability of the test kits would be posted on the city’s website. For this first round, that website has not been updated, nor did a SWIFT robo-call go out to make the announcement. The Beacon Police Department’s Facebook post was the first announcement. Within 24 hours, the first shipment of these tests have been picked up by residents. Consider following the Beacon Police Department Facebook page to see if they make updates as to when a new shipment arrives, and when it has been depleted.