• Meeting Called to Order – 11:00 A.M.

• Roll Call: Inspector David Regina, Suffolk County PD, Director of Public Safety Richard Tantalo, Monroe County, Chief Kenzie Spaulding, Corning PD, Chief William Worden, Port Jervis PD, Commissioner Kenneth Jackson, Garden City PD, 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).

All present and accounted for.

Chief (ret.) Joseph Sinagra, Saugerties PD: Leave of Absence.

• No guests at this meeting.

• Approval of January 22, 2024, Committee Meeting Minutes:

1st:      Commissioner Jackson
2nd:     Chief Spaulding

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

Inspector Regina stated that there was nothing new to report.

TSSC Denz reported that GTSC has increased the availability of ARIDE classes and he has forwarded the current schedule to both the TSC and the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Points of Contact.

TSSC Denz also reported that GTSC is in the process of working with DCJS to schedule Recognizing the Cannabis Impaired Motorist classes. GTSC’s goal is to hold 15 of these trainings across the state. TSSC Denz stated that with the help of the NYSACOP Board of Governors and members of the TSC, NYSACOP has secured commitments to host one of these classes across the 10 NYSACOP Regional Zones. Additional information to follow.

• Oral Fluid Testing:

Chairman Georges reported that we have been working with representatives from Intoximeters to identify agencies within NYS who currently use, or are in the process of purchasing, oral fluid roadside testing devices. Most of the agencies have secured funding for the devices either through STOP-DWI programs or have applied to the DCJS Technologies Grant. Additional information to follow.

• Outreach to Tribal Police Agencies:

Chairman Georges reported that TSSC Denz, TSOL Geraci and he have initiated conversations with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police. He stated we have secured a new Traffic Safety Point of Contact for that agency (Lieut. Ted Cook). On February 5, 2024, we had a Zoom meeting with Lt. Cook to discuss the current traffic safety difficulties his agency faces, as well as possible grant funding sources available.

• NYSACOP Traffic Safety Points of Contact Webinar:

Chairman Georges reported that the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team is planning on hosting a webinar for the Points of Contact to discuss trends, needs, resources and funding sources across the state. This webinar is still in the process of being scheduled however, TSC members should watch for a Save the Date announcement as they are welcome to join in when it takes place.

• NHTSA Law Enforcement Liaison Professional Development Training:

TSSC Denz gave an overview of the program and his participation and role in it which was held in Indianapolis, Indiana January 17-19, 2024. He also discussed future trainings around the nation.

• DCJS Police Executive Training, Niagara Falls, N.Y., Week of March 18, 2024:

Chairman Georges reported that this event is set and the Traffic Safety Team is scheduled to conduct a Traffic Safety Executive Leadership session at the training on Monday March 18th. TSSC Denz reported that that this is the largest registration pool in the history of holding this training and had to be cut off at 60 participants. Commissioner Jackson stated that his new Inspector will be attending the training.

• Crash Data Review:

Inspector Regina reviewed recent crash data from Suffolk County. He reported that crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists remain high. He also stated that his agency’s new administration has refocused attention on street racing within their jurisdiction by initiating multi-agency enforcement operations resulting in the seizure of some high-end vehicles and social media recognition on the part of the participants. This originally drove down the frequency of violations however, over the past 4 weeks, there has been a significant uptick in this activity.

TSOL Geraci spoke on the availability of data sources such as ITSMR, NHTSA and the County Crash Dashboard, and how that sourced material can be useful in developing operational and budgetary planning and preparing for community engagement events.

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

Chairman Georges reported on our recent NYSACOP Traffic Safety Executive Leadership Training that was held in Corning, NY and thanked Chief Spaulding for hosting the event. He also relayed that we will be conducting another training for the North Country Chiefs on March 7, 2024, in Lake Placid.

Chairman Georges also reported that the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team has been invited to be the keynote speakers at the 2024 Mid-Hudson STOP-DWI Conference April 17, 2024.

• Traffic Safety Engagement and Equity in Enforcement Programs:

Nothing to report.

• GTSC Update/Issues: 

Chairman Georges reported that our relationship with GTSC is status quo. The job posting for the NYSACOP GTSC LEL Office position is still open. We have received one applicant so far and know of two others who have shown interest in applying. More information to follow.

• New Business:

• MADD/NHTSA Region 2 Impaired Driving Summit, Middlesex College, Edison, N.J., March 13, 2024:

Chairman Georges explained the event and reported that the Traffic Safety Team would be attending the summit. He asked the TSC members to contact him if they had any questions and/or needed additional information.

• ESLETS Conference, The Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing, N.Y., April 24-25, 2024:

Chairman Georges did an overview of our involvement in the conference planning process and stated the agenda has yet to be shored up. TSSC Denz stated he sent a “Save the Date” announcement to the POCs and TSC and will send out a notice once registration is open.

• “No Empty Chair” Campaign:

TSSC Denz gave an overview of the campaign. The dates for the 2024 engagement are below:

Monday April 22 – Speeding in School Zones
Tuesday April 23 – Seatbelt/Child Restraints
Wednesday April 24 – Cell Phone and Texting
Thursday April 25 – Operation Safe Stop
Friday April 26 – Underage Drinking/Impaired Driving

• Traffic Safety Activities and Training Courses:

Chairman Georges highlighted the current traffic safety trainings being offered.

• Other:

Chairman Georges reported that he was appointed to the NHTSA National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (NAMS) Committee and that he also remains on the GTSC Motorcycle safety Workgroup. He will provide relevant information to the TSC as necessary.

TSSC Denz discussed the GPS updating issue faced by the Town of Lancaster PD after a change in commercial vehicle posting within their jurisdiction and thanked Commissioner Jackson for giving direction on the issue.

Chairman Georges reported on the Times-Union Newspaper request for an interview re: police- involved crashes.

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

Chairman Georges discussed possible dates and times to hold the March TSC meeting. All TSC members agreed to Friday March 15, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. TSOL Geraci requested to be excused and his request was granted.

• TSC Meetings with Traffic Safety Partners/Guests:

Chairman Georges discussed the possibility of inviting Suffolk County ADA Maureen McCormick to be a guest at a future meeting. All agreed that is a good suggestion and he will follow up with her.

• NYSACOP TSC – Recruitment, Diversity and Succession Plan:

Nothing to report.

• Topics for “Intersections” , podcasts, etc., including guest contributors:

Chairman Georges stated he would be writing the next Intersections article for the March issue of the Chief’s Chronicle.

• Other:

Inspector Regina asked Chairman Georges and the TSC members if anyone was aware if the Deadly Driving Bill legislation has gained any traction since the rally on the steps of the Capitol Building in Albany. Everyone stated they have not been privy to any additional information on the subject thus far.

• Next Meeting:
• Friday March 15, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. via Zoom.

• Motion to Adjourn:

1st:     Chief Spaulding
2nd:    Chief Worden