Attacker's Description Released For Tioronda Ave. Assault Investigation; Police Chief Addresses Timing Of Description Release

3rd UPDATE ARTICLE 1/15/2026: This article you are currently reading.

2nd UPDATE ARTICLE 1/15/2026: An update to this article has been published here.

1st ARTICLE 1/14/2026: This article. Each article will have these links in the series.

The City of Beacon Police Department has released a third statement on 1/15/2026 asking the public for help identifying the suspect who attacked the woman on Tioronda Avenue Wednesday morning. The Police are seeking camera footage from everyone, city-wide, for camera footage. Could have been dark for when the suspect headed toward the scene, and light when the suspect left the scene.

Everyone from every neighborhood, including all neighborhoods close to the mountain or by the river or Main Street or back roads, are encouraged to check their footage from early morning into later in the day.

The description of the male suspect is as follows:

"As of this time we are requesting that individuals check any available cameras, in Beacon, for footage from 1/14/2026, of a:

• white male

• wearing a black jacket or coat (not a puff coat)

• a black knit hat and blue pants or jeans

• possibly being in his 30s-40s

• approximately 5'11" with a medium build

• having a brown, very close beard

“If anyone has any footage depicting an individual that could fit that description or most of that description, please immediately contact the City of Beacon Police Department at 845-831-4111.”

Beacon Police Chief Figlia’s Response To The Public

Beacon Chief of Police Tom Figlia went on to address the public, acknowledging their concerns, saying: "We do not take the public's concerns lightly at all. Had it been appropriate to release this information earlier, we would have."

Members of the public who specialize in sexual assault and domestic violence, and are survivors themselves, have been lending their voices to ease people's reactions by reminding them to center the victim in this traumatic situation. That victims are going through a range of emotions, including extreme fear, and need time to process.

Chief Figlia continued: "Had it been appropriate to release this information earlier, we would have. Please understand that this is a sensitive investigation and that in certain, traumatic cases, it is not even appropriate to fully take a statement from a victim until time has passed."

In Chief Figlia's 2nd press release statement, he alluded to the patience they were taking with the victim as she began her physical recovery.

"It would therefore be irresponsible for us to prematurely release information which we, objectively, could not rely on," he stated.

"We, again, must also balance the public's need to know with the needs of the victim's privacy and the potential to compromise an investigation and/or prosecution. The department is continuing to devote its full resources to this investigation and is receiving assistance from other agencies as well."

Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Beacon Police Department at 845-831-4111.

Violent Assault Jolts Beacon Community; Privacy Of Victim Respected; Community Left Unsettled

Tioronda Avenue, in the direction of where the woman was found in the woods after being attacked and “seriously assaulted” Wednesday morning while walking, according to Beacon Police. This is on the other side of Wolcott Avenue, near Sargent Elementary School.

3rd UPDATE ARTICLE 1/15/2026: A description of the attacker has been released by the Beacon Police Department.

2nd UPDATE ARTICLE 1/15/2026: This article you are currently reading.

1st ARTICLE 1/14/2026: The first announcement of this attack.

The Beacon community was jolted on Wednesday when news of a violent assault of a woman, allegedly walking her dog along Tioronda Avenue early in the morning, circulated on social media and in personal texts. While few details of the attack have yet to be officially confirmed, the Beacon Police Department wrote in a press release that "the victim is in stable physical condition." 

Chief of Police Thomas Figlia noted in the press release that "though we understand the public's safety concerns and desire to know more, the department must balance that with our obligation to the victim's privacy and wellbeing.” He confirmed that at this time, a suspect has not been identified.

When the Beacon Police Department issued their first press release, their wording was vague, leaving community members frustrated, as Chief Figlia referred to the event as: “a possible, past occurred assault on Tioronda Ave. in the area of Wolcott Ave." But people had seen police activity in the area just that morning, and the text already circulated.

The term “past occurred” indicated no time - 5 days ago or 5 hours ago, and “possible” indicates that the assault did not happen at all, or that doubt was placed on the person who said they experienced the assault. Phone calls and FOIL requests to the Police Department, and social media posts about the department were made by the public to attempt to push the department to release more information for public safety and tip gathering.

A second statement was issued later in the afternoon with more detail, such as confirmation of the assault and time of arrival of the police. That release also stated that she “may have been the victim of a crime,” but did not state what the crime was, before confirming that she was “seriously assaulted” in the next sentence. In the text circulating on social media, she had been allegedly been walking her dog, who allegedly connected with humans, alerting them to the woman’s whereabouts. However, detail of the dog was not in the Police Department press release.

By the time the first press release was posted to the Police Department’s Facebook, many people in the public knew alleged details, which included an elementary school lockout. But none of that was mentioned in the first statement, which angered the public, as the Police Department held tight to protecting the privacy of the victim and the integrity of the investigation.

The public was not demanding to know the identity or description of the victim - who is now a survivor who has a journey of physical and emotional healing before her - but was demanding to know location and timing so as to keep themselves and loved ones safe from a future attack. Hearing that the attacker was not found in the surrounding area was not received as a comfort, but as a concern, as the person is still at large, with so far, no description.

To say Tioronda and Wolcott by itself indicates multiple locations of violent actions occurring - usually on the side between Main Street, like this one; and the murder of Rene Vivo “Scout” that resulted from a stabbing on Main Street that remains unsolved. It was because of the circulating text that the community learned it was on the other side of Wolcott, the side of Sargent Elementary school which is very isolated and wooded with hills and rocks, with houses and the new residential apartment buildings known as the Arno at 248 Tioronda.

Also not confirmed in the press release was the woman’s dog, and the dog’s alleged involvement in alerting humans to be able to find her in the woods. Many people with and without dogs walk, jog and bike down that strip of Tioronda. First instinct of most community members was to think about which area to avoid on their outing that day, and if any stranger was lurking. Parents thought about their children walking home from school, especially if on that path, and if they wanted to pick up their children instead.

Paramount to protecting the victim, the Beacon Police felt it necessary to not include any details. The second press release urged people to have caution as they would any day when outside. But the public felt they needed more information in order to maintain that caution, as the attacker remains at large.

This, in the context of a federal blessing of immunity on violence unleashed on women and people of color, which is playing out in Minnesota and other cities in the country. One ALBB reader said of the first press release: “This is not enough information to keep people safe. They’re not saying what happened.”

The First Wave Of Information

The Dutchess County Scanner Feed group in Facebook, run by moderator Patrick O'Dell, published a notice that there was increased police presence in Beacon at 10:30am. That action alone triggered people to text their people with an alert. Hours after that, Patrick closed comments on his post, saying that people had broken his page’s rules by speculating on the situation.

By then, the text of alleged details had been sent to ALBB and published in at least one private Facebook group. ALBB emailed Chief Figlia saying we would wait to publish anything until the Police Department issued a press release. A source told ALBB that police activity was seen that morning at the Arno residential building parking lot at 248 Tioronda, where a tent had been set up in the parking lot near a construction trailer where police vehicles were parked. The tent was allegedly broken down shortly after that and police vehicles left, the source said.

Meanwhile at Dutchess County Scanner Feed, Patrick did a hard close of comments saying: “Apparently, if I forget to turn off commenting on a post a bunch of people decide to disregard/disrespect all rules of the page, others, PD & me. EVERYONE has been banned or suspended who did so. Wasted time but I decided to still do it. Thanks to all the others."

When the Beacon Police Department published their first press release, Patrick reposted it to his Dutchess County Scanner Feed, saying in part: “I do not want non factual information, or details put out to the public that could possibly interfere with their investigation. I CANNOT STOP ANYONE FROM VISITING THOSE BEACON PAGES AND READING WHAT IS ON THEM. I can only control what is posted here for the integrity of the page.”

When the Beacon PD’s first press release published, barely any detail was confirmed. Not the gender of the person, age, location or time. It was assumed that the perpetrator was still at large. Not knowing if this was an intimate partner domestic violence situation, or a random attack, or a combination of both.

Police activity parked at the Arno residential building the Wednesday morning of the assault, where a tent was set up and then broken down.

In response, community members took to other groups to get the information out. The text was shared in a group in an effort to encourage women to walk in pairs and to be alert and careful. A group participant stated that Sargent Elementary had conducted a lockout, which is located in the vicinity of the attack.

The first press release mentioned Beacon City Schools, but only that they had been alerted that a search was being conducted. ALBB sought out and received confirmation that Sargent’s principal emailed school families an email which they received at 11:02am that Sargent had conducted a lockout, which locked the doors of the school while kids continued learning inside. Other schools did not go on lockout. It is noteworthy for this and future emergency situations that caregivers were alerted during the school day close to when the incident happened, and not at the end of the day.

The second press release confirmed the lockout, stating: “Upon arrival it had been determined that there was reason to believe that the female victim had been seriously assaulted. At that time, given the proximity to the Sargent School, the Beacon City School District was notified and advised to place the school on lockout until the area could be searched.” No one was found in the search, the statement confirmed.

To provide context of when district families are robo-called about an incident at school: when a school goes on lockdown or lockout, district families are robo-called about that; if it is a practice drill or unexpected occurrence. This week, in fact, a bat was found in the Beacon High School. District families were robo-called immediately about the bat, which was contained by pest control within the day.

In this situation, Sargent families were emailed by their principal about the lockout related to the assault. Families at other schools were not alerted. ALBB sought out and received content of the email, but not yet received confirmation of the time of which the parents were emailed as of this publishing. Part of the email read: “Out of an abundance of caution, Sargent was placed in a ‘lockout’ for approximately 90 minutes while there was a police investigation on Tironda Avenue.”

Details Confirmed In The Beacon Police Department’s Second Press Release

Chief Figlia stated in the second release of the department:

"On 1/14/2026 at approximately 9:20am the Beacon Police Department received a call from Dutchess County 911 to assist Fire and EMS who had responded to a call regarding a female who was unconscious in the area of Tioronda Ave. and Wolcott Ave. and may have been the victim of a crime.

"Upon arrival it had been determined that there was reason to believe that the female victim had been seriously assaulted. At that time, given the proximity to Sargent School, the Beacon City School District was notified and advised to place the school on a lockout until the area could be searched. The area around the school was searched and no one was located. Therefore, BCSD was advised of the same. As of that time the department was confident that the suspect was not in the that immediate area.

"The victim is in stable, physical, condition. Given the nature of the incident, however, the department is, even now, still working with her in order to determine key details of the crime. Because of this, we are not releasing any information that is not yet fully confirmed. Additionally, though we understand the public's safety concerns and desire to know more, the department must balance that with our obligation to the victim's privacy and wellbeing as well as our obligation not to put out information that could compromise this investigation. We are urging others to also please respect this victim's privacy as much as possible.

"At this time a suspect has not been identified, nor is anyone is custody. As with any other time, people should use caution, be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the police. If anyone has any information specific to this case, we again urge you to call 845-831-4111."

People who have experienced Sexual Assault or know someone who has are encouraged to contact RAINN for help, healing and resources.

Possible Assault On Tioronda Ave. Near Wolcott Ave.; Investigation Remains Open

3rd UPDATE ARTICLE 1/15/2026: A description of the attacker has been released by the Beacon Police Department.

2nd UPDATE ARTICLE 1/15/2026: An update to this article has been published here.

1st ARTICLE 1/14/2026: This article. Each article will have these links in the series.

Several tips came in to A Little Beacon Blog this morning about a possible assault to a person along Tioronda Avenue.

At 10:30am, the Dutchess County Scanner Feed made an awareness post that there was a "heavy police presence in Beacon."

Readers wrote into ALBB with more information, at which point, ALBB emailed the Chief of Police Tom Figlia requesting a Press Release to report from, knowing that the work of the Police Department requires precision and time and that they usually do not release information to reporters during an open investigation or when actively pursuing someone at large.

At around 1:30pm, the Beacon Police Department issued a Press Release, stating that the Department is investigating a "possible, past occurred assault on Tioronda Ave. in the area of Wolcott Ave."

ALBB emailed Chief Figlia for further information on what "past occurred" means - if it means that the "possible" assault happened hours ago or days ago. A response has not been received as of this publishing.

The Press Release stated that the Beacon City School District was notified as a precaution during the investigation and check of the area. "The area was checked and there does not appear to be a specific danger to the public in that area at this time," the Police Department said in the statement.

The investigation remains ongoing. People who may have information or were witness are asked to contact the City of Beacon Police Department at 845-831-4111.

Murder on Rombout Avenue - Retired Beacon Police Officer Charged With Murdering His Roommate

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. As details emerge, they are updated here in the sequence of how they were released.

On Monday evening at approximately 9pm at the home of 86 Rombout Avenue, a 911 caller believed to be Edison “Eddie” Irizarry, who is a 52 year-old a retired City of Beacon Police Officer who was a new roommate to Casey Cuddy, age 58 (aka Wilbur Cuddy), “had threatened him with a shotgun, and Irizarry claimed to have fired three rounds at Cuddy,” according to reporting from MidHudson News. Casey Cuddy did not survive.

According to the City of Beacon Police Department’s Press Release the following Tuesday morning, “the City of Beacon Police Department received a call from an individual reporting that he had shot his roommate on Rombout Ave. Upon arrival it was determined that one of the individuals involved was a retired Beacon Police Officer. That individual was immediately detained and, in order to maintain the highest integrity, the entire investigation was turned over to the New York State Police.” The Press Release was published to Facebook, and Comments turned off.

From the Beacon Police Press Release, it was not clear where Eddie was initially detained to. A witness of the detainment confirmed to ALBB that Eddie was handcuffed and “gently put into” a Beacon Police vehicle without incident on Monday night. New York State Police arrived to the scene shortly after, ALBB was told by a witness of the detainment.

MidHudson News reported that Eddie was arrested the following Tuesday morning. “He was arraigned before Beacon City Court Judge Rebecca Mensch and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail,” MidHudson News reported. Times Union reported that Eddie was booked on Tuesday, as confirmed by booking records, and held without bail.

Beacon Police Chief Tom Figlia continued: “In order to maintain the highest integrity, the entire investigation was turned over to the New York State Police. The City of Beacon Police Department is cooperating and will continue to cooperate, fully and completely with the State Police Investigation. Since it is a State Police Investigation, the City of Beacon Police Department cannot release any further details and all additional requests for information should be made to New York State Police.”

As of Tuesday evening, New York State Police confirmed that the caller was Eddie: “On July 21, 2025, at approximately 9:02 p.m., the City of Beacon Police Department responded to a private residence on Rombout Avenue following a 911 call placed by Edison Irizarry, 52, of Beacon, NY, who stated he had shot his roommate. Upon arrival, officers located 58-year-old Casey Cuddy also of Beacon, NY, deceased inside the residence from an apparent gunshot wound.”

According to community members, Casey and Eddie were roommates in the house beginning April 2025. ALBB has received confirmation from multiple local sources that this house was divided into 2 apartments, where Casey lived in one unit, and another group of people lived in the other unit. It was only recently that Eddie moved in as roommate to Casey, who also goes by “Cuddy” to neighbors.

By Tuesday evening, Casey’s white passenger van, which has a poster perched in the passenger seat that reads “Boycott,” remained parked in the driveway with yellow caution tape around the perimeter of the house. Parked next to the van that Tuesday evening was a New York State trooper car with an officer inside.

An investigator looks at the sign in the van of Casey Cuddy, who was killed by his roommate, Eddie Irizarry. The poster read: “Boycott Everything.”

Sean Breault, who witnessed the arrest of Eddie, told ALBB: “The poster in Cuddy’s van read ‘Boycott Everything.’ He was active in protests. I watched the detective go through his van and I have an image of the sign. Cuddy was into boating and biking here in Beacon and was never anything but kind. Deescalation did not seem to be a tactic this retired officer was willing to use.”

That Tuesday evening at dusk, people in the community drove and walked slowly past the house, which is located in a residential area around the corner from South Avenue Elementary School. Community members say that Casey could often be seen outside in his yard and was a communicative person with his neighbors.

By Tuesday evening, the Beacon Police issued another statement when sharing an update made by New York State Police. The Beacon Police Department wrote: “We share this as part of our obligation to keep the public informed but we also take seriously our obligation not to release any information which may hinder their [New York State Police’s] investigation. As such, we will continue to direct all requests for information to the State Police. We also thank them for their hard work in this investigation and would like the thank the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance last night as well. Importantly, we extend our deepest condolences to those impacted by this incident.”

New York State Police confirmed on Tuesday evening the charges against Eddie:

• Murder in the Second Degree (Class A -1 Felony)

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C felony)

• Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class E Felony)

New York State Police confirmed that a preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

The Highlands Current reported that Eddie retired from the Beacon Police Force in July 2021, and was recognized in a photo by the Beacon Police Benevolent Association (PBA) union. The PBA said at that time: “The PBA would like to congratulate Officer Edison Irizarry on his recent retirement from the Beacon Police Department. Officer Irizarry served the City of Beacon for 17 years, and prior to that served his country as a United States Marine. Officer Irizarry held many roles during his time with the Beacon Police, including a Field Training Officer and Detective. Best of luck in retirement and your future endeavors.”

Beacon Grants Wishes Of More Traffic Enforcement: Traffic Stops and Tickets Increasing

Some Beacon residents have consistently demanded more traffic and parking enforcement. About 14 years ago, one could not park on the yellow lines outside of a boutique or coffee shop to run inside to get a birthday present or cup of coffee without getting a parking ticket. These days, however, this parking infraction can happen, and does happen regularly on the yellow lines outside of Bank Square Coffee, for instance. Between the hours of 2-3pm, Carman the Crossing Guard is the main enforcer of shooing cars along who do attempt to pull over into the yellow lines.

This lax parking will not last for long, implied Chief Figlia during his presentation of the Police Department Annual Report to the City Council during the 3/31/2025 Workshop Meeting, where he presented multiple data sets to illustrate what the department has been working on and achieving.

Parking Tickets

Thanks to a new contract with a new parking ticket vendor, the City of Beacon Police are using a new ticketing system for parking violations. The vendor they had been using was satisfactory, Chief Figlia said, until the company got absorbed by another company, and provided new equipment. “The new equipment they provided was poorly designed and rarely worked. This led to a sharp decline in our parking enforcement as officers struggled with increasingly frequent equipment failures.”

“The new vendor also provides much-improved handheld, electronic ticket-writer units, which have proven much more dependable,” he explained. This has resulted in a spike in parking tickets. Where there were 20 parking tickets issued in December 2023, there were 187 parking tickets issued in December 2024, according to the report.

Traffic Violations

One resident saw an officer issuing a ticket to a Tesla. Other residents have noticed the Beacon Police on Wilkes Avenue during school drop off rush-hour, consistently nabbing people. The police have been in other areas of town as well.

Traffic Stops made by Beacon Police from 2022-2024.
Photo Credit: City of Beacon Police

According to the monthly and yearly data Chief Figlia presented, traffic stops were at their highest during 2023 (of the 2022-2024 period), and remained the low in 2024. The Beacon Police Department has been understaffed for quite some time, resulting in their trying new initiatives to recruit.

In October 2024, when traffic stops hit their second lowest moment in the three year period, traffic stops started to spike, and continued to increase into 2025. “In January of 2024, 62 stops were performed, whereas in January of 2025, there were 97 stops. Similarly, in February 2024, there were 75 stops made and in February 2025 there were 94 made,” Chief Figlia stated.

After his presentation, Chief Figlia asked the Council if they liked the monthly data set, or if they wanted it yearly only. Mayor Kyriacou said he preferred it lumped into yearly. Reducing the months into an annual snapshot reduces the amount of detail the public can see, in order to notice any seasonal, regional or global trends.

ALBB votes for the monthly data presentation.

Sky Diamond Jewelers Is Second Jeweler To Leave 226 Main Street; Flourishing In Flagship Space In New Windsor

In October 2024, Sky Diamond Jewelers left their Beacon location at the new-ish building of 226 Main Street to focus entirely on their flagship New Windsor location. “It was going to be an uphill battle after the robbery. And we had the opportunity to leave, so we had to make a decision,” Sky Diamond Jewelers told A Little Beacon Blog. “We’re still here to service you in our New Windsor location.”

The robbery on June 13, 2024 happened at the same time as two other robberies of jewelry stores in Cold Spring and Danbury, CT. The glass of the front door was broken and a neighbor called the Beacon Police at 4:30am, at which point the Beacon Police pursued a car already speeding away from the store to the Newburgh/Beacon Bridge, where the police stopped their pursuit due to high speeds. Suspects were later arrested in Newark, NJ in connection to the burglaries.

Sky Diamond Jewelers are the second jeweler to leave this location, the first being Hudson Valley Goldsmith. Sky Diamond Jewelers moved in shortly after Hudson Valley Goldsmith moved out. Currently a retail boutique selling clothing, crystals, signs and other home goods has moved in.

Sky Diamond Jewelers was established in 2016 by husband and wife team Isreal & Jennifer Morales in New Windsor, NY. They specialize in custom designed jewelry made on site, bridal jewelry, and permanent jewelry. They are deep in the thriving lab grown diamond market, and are always having events and reasons to buy new bling. Follow them on Instagram for more.

Third Suspect Arrested By Beacon Police For Murder Of Lionel Pittman In Forrestal Heights

Chief Thomas Figlia of the Beacon Police Department issued a press release announcing the arrest of the third suspect in the murder of Lionel Pittman in the Forrestal Heights apartment community near the Beacon Recreation Center. He concluded: "At this time all three individuals who were present at and participated in the murder of Mr. Pittman have been arrested."

On November 21, 2024, Beacon Police arrested Zyree Downing, age 24 of Middletown, DE for the murder of Lionel Pittman. Zyree was charged with Murder in the First Degree. According to the press release, Zyree is an inmate in a Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution, where he was transported from that facility to Beacon by the Beacon Police Department to be processed on his charges. Once processed, he was transported to the Dutchess County Jail.

"This arrest, together with the June 11th arrest of Naije Perrette and the September 5th arrest of Khyree Pratt, represents yet another facet in the culmination of years of diligence work by members of the Beacon Police Department, the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office, and other assisting agencies," Chief Figlia stated.

Chief Figlia then thanked other law enforcement agencies that assisted in the investigation leading to the arrests, including the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office, Medical Examiner's Office, Drug Task Force, Sheriff's Office, the New York State Police, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the City of Philadelphia (PA) Police Department, the Marple Township (PA) Police Department, the Delaware County (PA) District Attorney's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, NY/NJ HIDTA, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Naije Perrette on June 11, 2024 was charged with Second Degree murder, and arrested during a traffic stop in Beacon on Fishkill Avenue.

Khyree Pratt on September 5, 2024 was charged with Murder in the First Degree, and was already incarcerated out of state.

Second Murder Suspect Arrested By Beacon Police For Murder Of Lionel Pittman In Forrestal Heights

On September 5, 2024, Beacon Police arrested Khyree Pratt, age 23 of Philadelphia, PA for the murder of Lionel Pittman in the Forrestal Heights apartment community near West Center Street (near the Beacon Recreation Center), on May 14, 2022, according to a press release issued by the Chief Thomas Figlia of the Beacon Police Department.

"Khyree is currently an inmate in a Federal Correction Institution out of state," according to the press release. He was transported to Beacon, NY on September 5th by the Beacon Police Department, "where he was processed on charges of Murder in the First Degree, and then transported to the Dutchess County Jail."

This is the second arrest in Lionel's murder. The first arrest was of Naije Perrette on June 11, 2024, who was charged with Second Degree murder, and arrested during a traffic stop in Beacon on Fishkill Avenue.

Said Chief Figlia in the press release regarding Khyree: [This arrest] represents yet another facet in the culmination of years of diligent work by members of the Beacon Police Department, the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office and other assisting agencies."

Chief Figlia sated that there are other elements of the investigation that are still ongoing, so no further information is being released at this time.

According to Patch.com, Khyree was arrested in June 2022 in Marple Township in Pennsylvania after Maple Township Police said that he led them on a chase on June 4, 2022. The media outlet reported: “According to police and court records, Khyree Hyneif Pratt, 21, of Philadelphia, has been charged with firearm crimes, fleeing or attempting to eluding police, drug possession, and other crimes.”

Monday's 8-5-24 City Council Workshop Meeting Agenda - What's On Deck

Peek at the agenda below…

1. Swearing in of Thomas Durkin as Police Detective Sergeant

2. Swearing in of Kelvin Grey as Police Sergeant

3. Presentation of the 2021-2030 City of Beacon Government Operations Climate Action Plan

4. Appointment of Cole Lawrence to the Position of Heavy Motor Equipment Operator

5. Appointment of Isabella Nocerino to the Position of Police Officer

6. 2024 Beacon Accessible Curb Ramps Bid Results

7. 2024 Beacon City Hall Exterior Stair Replacement Bid Results

8. 2024 Climate Smart Communities Grant Program

9. Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds

10. Proposed Local Law No. 8 of 2024 Concerning the Fishkill Creek Development District

See more here >

Interested in Sponsoring this Guide? Find more details here >

Monday's 7-15-24 City Council Workshop Meeting Agenda - What's On Deck

1. Amended Concept Plan for 248 Tioronda Avenue

2. Proposed Local Law No. 5 of 2024 Concerning Prohibition of Eviction Without Good Cause

3. Proposed Local Law No. 6 of 2024 Concerning Soil Stabilization

4. Proposed Local Law No. 7 of 2024 Concerning Dimensional Regulations for the Transitional District

5. Appointment of Thomas Durkin to the Position of Police Detective Sergeant

6. Appointment of Kelvin Grey to the Position of Police Sergeant

7. Presentation of 2023 Annual Report for the Beacon Police Department

See more here >

Interested in Sponsoring this Guide? Find more details here >

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.

---

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.