NYSACOP TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

Albany Hilton Hotel, Albany, New York
November 8, 2023 1:45 P.M.
Meeting Minutes

  • Meeting Called to Order – 1:45 P.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.) Joseph Sinagra, Saugerties 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. Commissioner Jackson and Inspector Regina in attendance via conference call. Until further notice, Chief Sinagra requested a Leave of Absence from his position on the Committee, which was granted. He was excused from the meeting.

  • No guests at this meeting.

 

      • Approval of October 11th, 2023, Committee Meeting Minutes:

1st: Chief Worden
2nd : Chief Spaulding

 

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

Inspector Regina stated that there is nothing new to report. Next TAP Meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2023. He will be attending the meeting virtually.

 

        • Cannabis Update:

Nothing new to report.

 

        • Oral Fluid Testing:

Chairman Georges reported that Jennifer Limoges, from the NYSP Lab, has invited NYSACOP to participate on the Statewide Oral Fluid Testing Committee. Chairman Georges will be the NYSACOP representative with this working group and will brief the TSC as required. The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for November 14, 2023.

Chairman Georges informed the TSC that the NYSP have started an Oral Fluid Evidentiary Pilot Program and he will share more information as it becomes available. He also advised the TSC that there is an Oral Fluid Guidelines document which the committee developed for distribution in November, 2022. No TSC members were aware the document existed, Chairman Georges will send a copy out to all TSC members.

 

        • Deadly Driving Bill, S.3135/A.174:

Chairman Georges stated that there will be a rally in support of the Bill at the State Capitol on January 9, 2024 and there is a petition being circulated to support this legislation.

Inspector Regina requested that the link to the petition be sent out to the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Points of Contact. TSSC Denz stated he would do so.

 

        • County Crash Dashboard:

TSOL Geraci informed the TSC that GTSC has hired a new staffer to manage the County Crash Dashboard information system. He stated that NYSACOP should continue to encourage its members to utilize the system not only for grant preparation, but also in the day to day operations, as it contains a large amount of data that is useful and is user-friendly.

Chairman Georges reiterated that this is one of the best information systems to be introduced to the law enforcement community. TSSC Denz stated he reviews the County Crash Dashboard system at every Executive Traffic Safety Leadership Training, and he will send all TSC members the links to access it.

 

        • NYS DMV Crash/Accident Reports Review/Updates Project:

Nothing new to report.

 

        • Massachusetts Mandatory Cannabis Impaired Driving Curriculum:

Nothing new to report.

 

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

TSOL Geraci stated that Johns Hopkins is continuing their national research to develop a standardized, progressive LEL model. They still hold our model in New York as somewhat of a benchmark.

Chairman Georges informed the TSC that TSSC Denz, TSOL Geraci, and he are all planning on attending the NHTSA National LEL/TSRP/JOL Joint Meeting on April 6, 2024, in Denver Colorado.

 

        • IACP Annual Conference, October 13-17, 2023, San Diego, CA:

Chairman Georges reported on the IACP Roadway Safety Committee (RSC) Meeting. He informed the TSC the “Lights On” program did a presentation and seems to be gaining some traction nationally.

TSSC Denz reported that GTSC Executive Director Licet Gaveau was in attendance at the RSC meeting and is looking to secure some type of funding resource to help make this program available to all NYS law enforcement agencies.

Chairman Georges asked Inspector Regina to share his agency’s experience with the Lights On program. Inspector Regina stated that the program is well received in the community. However, at times personnel have to be reminded to continue to push the program. He further stated that officer “buy-in” is critical to insure the program successful.

Chairman Georges also reported on a session re: Side Shows and Street Racing conducted at IACP by the San Diego Police Department. He related how they experience similar problems as New York State and how it continues to be a serious issue on a national scale.

 

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

Chairman Georges stated that TSSC Denz and he are exploring dates to conduct an Executive Traffic Safety Leadership Training in the Southern Tier region and will work with Chief Spaulding to secure something in the near future. Also a training is the North Country is being considered.

 

        • GTSC Update/Issues: 

Chairman Georges reported on the status of NYSACOP’s FY24 GTSC grant and also the NYSACOP - GTSC organizational structure/model as it relates to the current grant. He stated he will keep the TSC informed of any future changes if/when they occur.

TSSC Denz reported that the FY23 Grant cycle is now closed and GTSC is processing reimbursements.

Chairman Georges reported that there were 11 agencies who were denied their FY24 Grant Applications and that we are going to attempt to reach out to those agencies to see how we might be able to assist them with the grant application process in the future.

 

        • Traffic Safety Engagement and Equity in Enforcement Programs:

TSOL Geraci stated there was a Lexipol traffic safety webinar scheduled for today. He is going to view it and see if it will be recorded and if so, he will distribute the access link to the TSC members.

 

      • New Business:
        • NYS DOT Traffic Safety Office/Bridge Strike Task Force:

Chairman Georges reported on the NYSDOT initiative re: Bridge Strikes. He stated that TSSC Denz distributed all pertinent information and reporting forms to the POC’s as well as the NYSACOP membership. All TSC members commented on the variable message signage along the roadways pushing the initiative.

 

        • Vision Zero Forum, November 2, 2023, New York City, N.Y:

TSSC Denz gave a synopsis of the forum he attended with DMV Commissioner Schroeder and Deputy Commissioner McShane.

 

        • Crash Data Review/Updates:

Chairman Georges and TSOL Geraci discussed the importance of data mining. A discussion was also held re: the potential of conducting on-site assessments of agencies’ traffic safety operations upon their request.

 

        • Traffic Safety Activities and Training Courses:

Chairman Georges informed the TSC that the STOP-DWI funding legislative bill finally passed and was signed into law by the Governor. He also addressed the recent DMV “P” Series Memo recently sent out re: altered vehicles/stretch limousines. Commissioner Jackson requested that Chief Flatley, Southold Police Department, be contacted and informed of the memo as he has a unit dedicated to this issue. Chairman Georges said he would do that and send it to the TSC members as well.

Chairman Georges also discussed/reviewed additional trainings that were currently being offered.

 

        • Other:

Inspector Regina reported on the problems his agency has been facing regarding EV Scooters. He related they have had 3 reported EV Scooter operator fatal crashes so far this year.

 

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

There was a lengthy discussion among all TSC members regarding the logistics of the December 2023 TSC Meeting. It was unanimously agreed that the meeting will be held December 12, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. via Zoom.

 

        • TSC Meetings with Traffic Safety Partners/Guests:

Chairman Georges suggested that Jenifer Limoges from the NYSP Lab be invited to attend a future meeting to give a presentation. All TSC members agreed she would be a good guest and Chairman Georges said he would ask her. He also reminded all TSC members to please be on the lookout for guests that would be of interest to the committee.

 

        • NYSACOP TSC – Recruitment, Diversity and Succession Plan:

Nothing new to report.

 

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

Chairman Georges stated that Lindsay Tomidy from the Monroe County Department of Public Safety is scheduled to do an article for the next issue of the Chief’s Chronicle. He encouraged the TSC members to put forth suggestions on topics or guest authors they might have.

 

        • Other:

Nothing further was discussed.

 

      • Date of Next Meeting:
        • December 12, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. via Zoom.

 

      • Motion to Adjourn:

1st: Chief Worden
2nd: Chief Spaulding

 

Mission Statement
Assist our members in enhancing traffic safety services to reduce crash related fatalities, injuries and economic loss, while also providing additional positive outcomes resulting in safer roadways and communities.