• Meeting Called to Order – 11:00 AM

• Roll Call:   Chief Joseph Sinagra, Saugerties PD, Inspector David Regina, Suffolk County PD, Monroe County Director of Public Safety Richard Tantalo, Chief (ret.) Daniel Denz, West Seneca PD (NYSACOP Traffic Safety Services Coordinator), Chief (ret.) Michael Geraci, Schenectady PD (NYSACOP TSOL), Assistant Chief (ret.) William Georges, Albany PD (NYSACOP TSOL & TSC Chairman). NYSACOP Executive Director Patrick Phelan also attended the meeting.

All present and accounted for.

• Guests:  Nick Breul (ret.) MPDC, Senior Project Manager, National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum. Presentation: What is Killing Officers on Our Roadways: A Review of the Data.
  
  

Mr. Breul conducted an overview of the data, programs, and presentations available through NLEMM and its corresponding website. He also related information on a Traffic Safety Summit which will be held in the State of Maryland during May of 2023, and on NLEMM quarterly webinars. Furthermore, he stated he would send flash drives containing NLEMM data and presentations to all of the NYSACOP TSC members which can be used to pass along information to the NYSACOP membership. Discussion was also held re: the possibility of having Mr. Breul present at future conferences.

• Approval of November 9, 2022, Committee Meeting Minutes:

Motion: Chief Sinagra
2nd : Director Tantalo

• Updates/Status on Previous Agenda Topics:
• NYS TAP Committee/DRE Issues:

Inspector Regina reported that the in-person TAP meeting which had been postponed earlier this fall was rescheduled for December 6, 2022 as a Zoom meeting. He related that there were 3 primary topics of discussion:

1. The current state of oral fluid testing is ambiguous. There are very few laboratories in New York State that can test specimens collected and satisfactory roadside collection technology has not been fully developed at this point. This, coupled with the lack of comprehensive corresponding legislation leaves full oral fluid testing implementation in limbo.

2. DRE certification standards are more comprehensive in New York than other states. While this is a good thing, there has been a trend of DRE’s failing their biannual recertification exams. Chairman Georges asked what the issue was which was driving this problem, to which Inspector Regina stated it appears to be caused by insufficient test preparation on the part of the DRE’s. Those DRE’s who adequately prep themselves prior to taking the recertification exam have no problem passing.

3. GTSC DRE Program Manager Renee Borden is planning on conducting six (6) DRE certification classes throughout the state during the 2023 calendar year. More information and course posting forthcoming in the near future.

• Coalition Against Big Trucks (CABT) Request for NYSACOP Support:

Chairman Georges stated he has not been able to follow up with Liz Bolstad of CABT yet. He asked Chief Sinagra if he has had contact with her, and he said he has not. Chairman Georges reiterated that the NYSACOP letter of support had been signed off on, sent to CABT, and is posted on the NYSACOP website. He will continue efforts to contact Liz.

• NYSACOP Executive Leadership Summit, March 20 - 24, 2023, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

TSSC Denz reported that the planning for this event is progressing well and that there will be a traffic safety training session in the summit. The venue and dates are set, the final agenda is still being developed.

• 2023 ESLETS Conference:

Chairman Georges reported that the tentative dates for the conference are May 10 and 11, which is later than usual, and the conference will be held in the Rochester area. He further related that TSSC Denz, TSOL Geraci and he have an ESLETS Conference planning meeting scheduled for later this afternoon.

• Site Visits to Agencies with Grants Not Approved:

Chairman Georges related that this is still in the planning stages, however the intent is to complete necessary preliminary work by early spring of 2023 so that site visits can begin.

• Outreach to Regional Chiefs of Police Associations & Major City Chiefs:

Chairman Georges informed the committee that a traffic safety executive leadership roundtable was being planned for Monroe County in January 2023. Directed Tantalo confirmed the date is set for January 5, 2023 at 10 A.M. with the venue being the Monroe County Public Safety Training Facility.

Chairman Georges also stated there is another roundtable event in the planning stages for Erie County, with the hopes it will be held the same week as the Executive Training in Niagara Falls. More to follow.

• GTSC Update/Issues: 

Chairman Georges informed the TSC that GTSC Director Jim Allen’s retirement date is December 21, 2022 and that the reorganization of his duties is still being finalized. Chairman Georges also related that TSSC Denz, TSOL Geraci, and he were slated to meet with GTSC management on December 8th however, GTSC cancelled the meeting that morning due to an illness of one of the staffers. The meeting has not been rescheduled as of this date.

• Traffic Safety Engagement and Equity in Enforcement Programs:

No updates at this time.

• New Business:
• L.A. Times Article re: Curtailing Traffic Stops:

Chairman Georges reviewed a recent news article where members of the Los Angeles Police Department were quoted re: how the agency’s new policy is to not engage in traffic enforcement or engagement. Discussion followed as to how this appears to be a continuing trend, how we need to continue to work to reverse this course and the importance of the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Position Statement and Talking Points.

• Traffic Safety Activities and Training Courses:

Chairman Georges reviewed the list of training courses posted in the NYSACOP weekly bulletins.

Chairman Georges asked both Inspector Regina how his jurisdiction’s recent legislation re: street racing is impacting the problem. Inspector Regina related that progress has been slow, with a few setbacks, however, overall, it is having a positive impact. He also related that there has been a recent spike in pedestrian crashes in his area, which is a trend his agency is working to reduce.

Chairman Georges asked Director Tantalo for the status of the new Drive o Be Better traffic safety campaign in Monroe County. Director Tantalo stated it has been a slow roll out but it is quickly gaining traction and support in the community.

• Other:

Chief Sinagra mentioned he has heard that DCJS is about to announce the appointment of a new Deputy Director. TSOL Geraci stated he has heard the same. More to follow.

• Follow-up Activities/Assignments:
• Schedule re: Future TSC Meetings

Chairman Georges posed the possibility for the next meeting being scheduled for Thursday, January 19 at 11:00 A.M. via Zoom meeting. After discussion it was determined several members had a conflict with that date and agreed upon Thursday, January 12 at 11:00 A.M. via Zoom.

• TSC Meetings with Traffic Safety Partners/Guests:

Chairman Georges reviewed Nick Breul’s presentation at this meeting. All agreed how well done and beneficial it was and that the TSC should continue developing a professional relationship with both him and NLEMM.

Chairman Georges suggested two (2) groups to possibly invite as guests at future meetings:
1. Abbott/Intoximeters – Oral fluid testing
2. DCJS Analytics/Heather and Amanda – Traffic safety research

Executive Director Phelan suggested we have someone from Uber present about their plan to use a new Uber App which can be used to call an autonomous vehicle. He also suggested the possibility of asking Kate Riley from a company named Eye3, which is also developing oral fluid testing products.

• NYSACOP TSC – Recruitment, Diversity and Succession Plan:

Chairman Georges reported that he received recommendations re: two NYSCACOP member chiefs for potential candidates for additional TSC members: Chief William Worden, Port Jervis PD, and Chief Kenzie Spaulding, Corning PD.

The TSC agreed that Chairman Georges should contact each to gauge their interest, invite them as guests at future TSC meeting, then the TSC will decide on a recommendation to President Sylvester as to their respective appointments to the Committee.

• Topics for “Intersections” and podcasts including guest contributors:

Executive Director Phelan suggested we reach back out to Nick Breul and ask him if he would be willing to contribute an article for the Chief’s Chronicle. Chairman Georges requested that Mike Geraci contact him about that.

• Other:

No other issues discussed.

• Date of Next Meeting:

• Adjourn:

Motion: TSSC Denz
2nd: TSOL Geraci