Traffic Safety Committee Minutes - May 20th, 2026

Meeting Called to Order:  10:30 A.M.

Roll Call:  Deputy Chief 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 (ret.) Kenneth Jackson, Garden City PD, Chief Charles Dobson, Lake Placid PD, Chief (ret.) Daniel Denz, West Seneca PD (NYSACOP Traffic Safety Services Coordinator), Chief (ret.) Michael Geraci, Schenectady PD (NYSACOP TSOL), Director, Training & Administration (ret.) Frank Galerie, NYS Attorney General’s Office (NYSACOP GTSC LEL), Assistant Chief (ret.) William Georges, Albany PD (NYSACOP TSOL & TSC Chairman)

All present and accounted for. Director Tantalo via conference call.
 

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

Guests: No guests this meeting

Approval of April 22, 2026 Committee Meeting Minutes:

1st:      Commissioner (ret.) Jackson
2nd:    Chief Dobson

Old Business/Updates:

• NYSACOP Pilot E-Bike Enforcement Training:

Chairman Georges updated the TSC members on the status of the pilot program and discussed potential future opportunities to distribute the information statewide. He also explained how it served as the foundation for Deputy Chief Regina’s presentation conducted earlier at the NYSACOP Conference.

Chairman Georges thanked Deputy Chief Regina for his work re: developing and presenting the program and congratulated him on his presentation at the Conference earlier in the day.
 

• E-Bikes, Ride Outs, Dirt Bikes & ATVs:

Deputy Chief Regina reported that the combination of educational programs, the institution of local laws and the Suffolk County PD Street Racing Task force has made a significant impact on citizen behavior and has reduced crashes in his jurisdiction.

Commissioner (ret.) Jackson reported that the local laws instituted in Nassau County have also been very impactful however, there has been an increase in legal challenges against the laws as they are being perceived as overly restrictive. He also concurred with Deputy Chief Regina’s assessment in Suffolk County, that the new statutes put in place in Nassau County have also helped with significantly lowering the number of crashes in Nassau as well. 
 

• Interlock Reform Legislation (A.2703-A/S.2517-A):

Chairman Georges reported that the letter of support which was requested by the TSC to be constructed has been written, approved by the NYSACOP Board of Governors and sent to the NYSACOP President for his signature. Once signed it will be distributed. Chairman Georges orally read the approved letter to the TSC.

• NYS TAP Committee/DRE Issues:

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie informed the TSC that Renee Borden has been promoted to GTSC Director however at this point, she still retains oversight of the NYS DRE program. He will keep the TSC informed should things change moving forward.

• Warning Tickets:

Chairman Georges updated the TSC members on the progress of the program and NYSP’s pending work on developing a new module in TraCS. He also discussed that there has been no resolution to our inquiry to DMV on how to dispose of unused paper UTT’s and will keep the TSC informed when there is an official answer.

• Courtroom Testimony Training:

Chairman Georges reported on a recent regional training which was sponsored by the Monroe County District Attorney. He also stated that the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team plans to work with the NYS TSRPs to develop a courtroom testimony training that can be used statewide.

• MPTC Basic Course for Police Officers, Vehicle Stops & Traffic Enforcement Course:

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie updated the TSC members on the progress and current status of the program.

• Transition to Crash Record information System & New Versions of Police Crash Reports:

Chairman Georges stated that there were no new developments for instituting the new crash reports. However, he noted that NYSP Sgt. Hedges announced earlier at the NYSACOP Conference that he does not anticipate the new reports being available in TraCS for another 18-24 months.

• Traffic Safety Engagement and Crash Data Review:

Nothing to report.

• Outreach to Regional Chiefs of Police Associations: 

TSSC Denz reported that he recently attended both the regional meetings of Erie County Chiefs of Police and the WNY Chiefs of Police and NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie attended the Northeast Chiefs regional meeting.

• GTSC Update/Issues: 

NYSACOP GTSC LEL Galerie reported on the continued reorganization of GTSC and the timeline expected for completion of grant reviews and approvals.

• ESLETS Conference, April 27 & 28, Saratoga, Springs, N.Y:

Chairman Georges gave an overview of the event.

• NYS Law Enforcement Recognition Event, April 28th, Albany Capital Center, Albany, N.Y.

Deputy Chief Regina gave an overview of the event. TSSC Denz explained the award selection process as he is a sitting member of the selection committee.

• Chairman Georges requested a motion to go into Executive Session

1st:      Chief Worden
2nd:    Chief Spaulding

Executive Sessision start: 11:20 A.M.; concluded: 11:26 A.M.

• Other:

Nothing further to report.

Upcoming Events:

• IACP Impaired Driving & Traffic Safety Conference, August 21-23, 2026, Anaheim, CA:

Chairman Georges reviewed the scheduled event.

• New York State Highway Safety Symposium, October 19-22, 2026, Lake Placid, N.Y

Chairman Georges reviewed the scheduled event.

New Business:

• Traffic Safety Activities & Training Courses:

Chairman Georges reviewed current activities and posted traffic safety trainings.

• Other:

Chairman Georges recognized Chief Dobson and his team for their efforts in helping organize the NYSACOP Conference in his jurisdiction and thanked him for all that they have done and are doing to make it a successful event.

Follow-up Activities/Assignments:

• TSC Meetings with Traffic Safety Partners/Guests:

Chairman Georges discussed the possibility of having one or both TSRP’s, a representative of DCJS, and NYSACOP Silver Partner Urban SDK, attend as guests at future TSC meetings.

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

Chairman Georges relayed that the Monroe Co. Traffic Safety Team authored the “Intersections” article for the upcoming June issue of The Chiefs Chronicle. He encouraged each of the TSC members to consider authoring an article in the future and/or supplying photographs of their agency’s traffic safety initiatives for publication.

• Other:

Nothing further to report.

Next Meeting:

Motion to Adjourn:

1st:  Chief Worden
2nd:  Commissioner (Ret.) Jackson