• Meeting Called to Order – 3:00 PM

• Roll Call:  Chief Joseph Sinagra, Saugerties PD, 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, 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.

• Guest: Dr. Lisa Patierne. Presentation, I’m Human, Changing the Narrative Through Responsive Leadership.
  

• Approval of May 10th, 2023, Committee Meeting Minutes:

1st: Chief Sinagra
2nd : Director Tantalo

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

Inspector Regina stated there was nothing new to report.

• Cannabis Update:

Chief Sinagra reported that the NYS Cannabis Control Board (CCB) has instituted new regulations regarding THC infused beverages however, there are still many loopholes hampering any enforcement efforts. He also stated that he anticipates increased pressure being placed on local police departments to assist with enforcement initiative once the CCB staffs their organization with peace officers.

• Automated Speed Enforcement in Work Zones:

1. This week - Work Zone Enforcement initiative began April 17th.
2. Possibly 10 vehicles will be assigned to the New York State Thruway; 30 assigned to the rest of the State.
3. A white Jeep Grand Cherokee with radar technology will be placed only in active work zones. There must be signs posted about the work zone limits and cameras.
4. Tickets will go to the registered owner of the speeding vehicles.
5. The fees will be $50, $75, $100, and $100 thereafter for repeat offenses. There is an 18- month timeline. A 3rd party vendor will be running the program. There is a 30-day warning period. Thereafter, tickets will be “legitimate” for speeds 11mph+ over the posted work zone speed limit.
6. This new initiative started at this time because April is “Work Zone Safety Month.”
7. This initiative is wholly operated by New York State; nothing to do with the New York State Troopers.

• Coalition Against Big Trucks (CABT) Update:

Chairman Georges and Chief Sinagra reported that we continue to support the CABT initiatives. Chief Sinagra participated in an additional legislative, correspondence campaign.

• Oral Fluid Testing:

Chairman Georges reported that he has contacted Sgt. Jeff Tripp (N. Syracuse PD) and asked him to coordinate a meeting of representatives from all police departments in his region who currently use oral fluid testing so we can engage them in a roundtable type of conversation to share their experiences and best practices in that emerging technology.

Chairman Georges stated this will be done via Zoom meeting sometime during the week of June 26th, all TSC members invited to attend. He will pass along the date when it is solidified.

• Massachusetts Mandatory Cannabis Impaired Driving Curriculum: (All)

Chairman Georges reported on a correspondence he received from Diana Gugliotta – AAA Northeast re: information on developing a possible position statement on “Shifting Gears”, Teen Driver Training with Legal Cannabis. He stated he will forward this to the entire TSC and asked that they please review it for further discussion at the next TSC meeting. Chairman Georges also reported that the State of Connecticut has legislatively mandated this curriculum, and that it is being brought up for a vote in the State of Rhode Island.

• Johns Hopkins University Project: Innovative Approaches to Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety

TSOL Geraci reported that Johns Hopkins representatives have committed to present at the NYSACOP Annual Conference in July. They are still working on logistics for their attendance and are expected to announce the actual presenters in the near future.

• DCJS Public Safety Symposium, September 25 – 28, 2023, Albany, N.Y:

TSSC Denz reported that he has been notified by DCJS that both presentation proposals NYSACOP submitted have been accepted and tentatively scheduled: “Transitioning to the Position of Chief” is scheduled 4:00 – 5:00 P.M. on September 26th; “Traffic Safety Executive Leadership” is scheduled for 1:00 -2:00 P.M. September 27th.

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

Chairman Georges reported that on June 6th, TSSC Denz and he, along with GTSC NYS Sheriffs Association LEL Tony D’Agostino, conducted a Traffic Safety Executive Leadership Training Course for the Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police in Dewitt, N.Y. There were approximately 40 attendees and we received good feedback on our presentation from the group.

Chairman Georges relayed that we will be looking to conduct another training in the southern tier sometime in the future; Chief Spaulding stated she would assist with setting it up in that region.

• GTSC Update/Issues: 

Chairman Georges reported to the TSC that Chief Sinagra and NYSACOP Executive Director Phelan had a meeting with DMV Deputy Commissioner Owen McShane on June 8th, in order to work on some logistics of the pending NYSACOP-GTSC FFY24 Highway Safety Grant. Chief Sinagra reported on the meeting and the plans going forward. He will provide updates as available.

• Traffic Safety Engagement and Equity in Enforcement Programs:

Chairman Georges engaged the TSC in a conversation regarding a new DCJS certification program, Community Resource Officer, and the possible role this new titled group may have with traffic safety programming and education.

• New Business:

• Traffic Safety Activities and Training Courses:

Chairman Georges reviewed the current Traffic Safety Training postings.

Inspector Regina reported that incidents of street racing have recently been less frequent after several enforcement initiatives have occurred. He also informed the TSC on the MADD Walk at Jones Beach which will be occurring June 10, 2023.

Director Tantalo updated the TSC on the Monroe County #Drive2BBetter campaign and informed the TSC on pending legislation that would create a specific surcharge on UTT’s which would go directly to STOP-DWI programming. Chairman Georges thanked Director Tantalo for getting Monroe STOP-DWI Coordinator Lindsay Tomidy to contribute an article for the “Intersections” part of the NYSACOP magazine.

TSSC Denz reported on the newly released DMV “P” memo re: Boating While Intoxicated with Passenger 15 Years of Age or Younger. He will forward the memo to the TSC via email.

Chairman Georges reported on a news article from St. Paul, Minnesota re: the city police department policy of not stopping motorists for what are considered to be “minor” violations. TSSC Denz will forward the TSC members the article via email, for their review.

• Other:

Nothing further.

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

Chairman Georges stated the next TSC meeting will be held in-person at the NYSACOP Annual Conference July 16-19, 2023, exact date and time TBD

• TSC Meetings with Traffic Safety Partners/Guests:

Nothing to Report.

• NYSACOP TSC – Recruitment, Diversity and Succession Plan:

Chairman Georges thanked Chief Spaulding and Chief Worden for agreeing to join the TSC, and thanked all current members for their contributions to the Committee.

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

Chairman Georges once again publicly thanked Lindsay Tomidy for her recent contribution and related that we are always seeking topics consideration.

• Other:

Nothing at this time.

• Date of Next Meeting:
• NYSACOP Annual Conference, Desmond Crowne Plaza, Colonie, N.Y., July 16-19, 2023 (meeting date/time TBD).

• Motion to Adjourn:

1st: Chief Sinagra
2nd: Chief Spaulding