On Dec. 2 at approximately 5:05 p.m., City of Poughkeepsie Police attempted a routine traffic stop of a vehicle that had failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Winnikee Avenue and Cottage Street. The vehicle drove slowly until accelerating through a business parking lot, where the driver threw a brown box containing over 600 decks of heroin from the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as Seaton M. McKenzie Jr., 34, of Morgan Avenue. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and other traffic offenses in addtion to the heroin possession.

An elderly woman who was reported missing shortly after noon today has been located by City of Poughkeepsie Police. During the course of investigation, thousands of Poughkeepsie residences were called and a message was left asking people to check the area for the missing woman. If you received one of these messages, please disregard. The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department thanks those who responded.

City of Poughkeepsie Police urge residents not to leave their vehicles running unattended.

A running vehicle was stolen from a driveway in the city this morning and was later crashed in another jurisdiction.

Last week, a running vehicle was stolen from a driveway in the city and later crashed in to a marked patrol car.

In addition to luring theives, leaving a vehicle running unattended is a violation of New York State Law.

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department is using a new tool to help find missing and endangered persons – A Child is Missing Alert Program, a nationwide non-profit organization that helps law enforcement agencies locate missing children, missing elderly (often suffering from Alzheimer’s), college students on campus, and missing persons who are mentally or physically challenged. City police used this service for the first time this week.

A free service to law enforcement, A Child Is Missing is a nationwide Alert Program with technicians on call 24/7, 365 who utilize sophisticated mapping systems and satellite imagery input into a system with the capacity to place 1,000 alert phone calls in 60 seconds to the area where a missing person was last seen or is believed to be. The phone calls are brief recordings alerting residents to the situation so they can share information with the police.

On Tuesday, Dec. 7, City of Poughkeepsie police began a search for an 80-year-old woman who had gone missing from her home on Livingston Street.  Upon taking the report, city police dispatchers called the toll free number for the A Child Is Missing Alert Program, provided key information to the technician, and, shortly after, the Livingston Street area was ringing with calls requesting those in the area to check their yards and complexes for the missing woman.  Three residents called police with information concerning the missing woman, who was located a short time later at a local store.  

If you are a resident of the area around Livingston Street and you did not receive an alert call, you can register your unpublished, cell phone, or broadband/voice-over IP number at www.achildismissing.org.  Click on “add your name” and follow the simple steps to enter your number—which will only be used for emergency alert calls.

A Child Is Missing utilizes sophisticated computer mapping systems and trained technicians with the capacity to place 1,000 alert phone calls in minutes to residents and businesses in the area where someone has gone missing or is believed to be.  To date the efforts of A Child Is Missing have been credited by law enforcement with more than 790 safe assisted recoveries.  Visit www.achildismissing.org for more information.

Being the victim of a burglary is a traumatic experience. You have lost valuable property and the sanctity of your home has been violated. However, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself from this crime.

Most burglaries occur during the day when houses are less likely to be occupied. While some burglaries do occur when occupants are home, most burglars look for signs of vacancy when choosing a target. If you are going to be away from your home for an extended period of time for a vacation or business trip, it is important to have your mail and newspaper delivery stopped for the duration of your absence as a burglar will notice these items piling up. Most newspapers offer a program that will suspend your delivery and donate the issues you missed to a local school. You can also call the police department and request extra checks of your property while you are away.

Homes that appear to be occupied are far less likely to be burglarized. A car in the driveway or audible noise from within may be enough to deter a burglar from attempting to access your house. Houses with dogs are also less likely to be burglarized, as are those with alarm systems. Most insurance companies offer discounts on homeowner’s and renter’s insurance to clients with security systems and/or dogs on the premises.

Studies indicate that alarm systems and other security devices reduce burglaries. These include window locks, dead bolts, security lighting, interior light timers and devices that prevent windows from opening more than a few inches.

The most important step you can take to prevent your home from being burglarized is to secure it. Lock your windows and doors (including sliding glass doors and garage doors) whether you are home or not. Leave your curtains or blinds closed. Do not advertise recent expensive purchases – such as a new television – by leaving the item’s packaging outside of your garbage cans. Tear up cardboard boxes from such purchases and mix them into your trash. This is particularly important to remember during the holiday season.

Burglars also target homes that are difficult to see from the street or neighboring homes as this offers them more privacy. Do not provide burglars places to hide on your property. Avoid placing too much shrubbery near your doors and windows (although thorny bushes may deter a burglar). Poor lighting may also attract a burglar. Side or back doors and windows are particularly attractive entry points for burglars – do not neglect to keep these areas well-lit. Motion-activated lighting is a cost-effective way to keep the outside of your home lit.

In the City of Poughkeepsie, the majority of burglaries occur in multiple dwellings, that is apartment buildings or duplexes. Keep common doorways locked and invest in a deadbolt lock for your apartment door. Always lock windows that are accessible via porch roofs or fire escapes.

Even vacant homes can be targeted by burglars looking for copper piping and other scrap metals they can sell. Be aware of vacant properties in your neighborhood and call the police if you observe anything suspicious.

Get to know your neighbors and look out for each other. Call the police immediately if you note any suspicious persons or activity.

If your home is burglarized, report it to the police immediately. Do not touch anything to avoid contaminating potential evidence – leave your home exactly as you found it until officers arrive.

At approximately 6:21 on the morning of Dec. 23, City of Poughkeepsie Police received a report of suspicious persons in the Fox Hill area. Responding officers located and detained the subjects and a subsequent investigation revealed that they were in possession of property stolen out of vehicles in Pleasant Valley. They were taken into custody.

There were no vehicle break-ins reported in the area of Fox Hill. Anyone who may have had items stolen from their vehicles in the city should report it to the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department.

City police remind residents not to leave any valuables unsecured in their vehicles and to report suspicious persons or activities to the police immediately.

 UPDATE     The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department is attempting to locate James Thomas a 27 year old white male and resident of the City of Poughkeepsie.  He is described as 6'3" tall, 250 pounds, light brown hair and blue eyes.  He was last seen on January 4, 2011 around 9:00 AM in the Town of Poughkeepsie.  James is bi-polar and is currently without his medication.  If he is located please contact the CIty of Poughkeepsie Police Department.  2011-337.

Carlton R. Woods Sr., 40, of Wappingers Falls, was arrested in the area of Main and White streets at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5, on three charges of armed robbery. A weapon was recovered during the arrest.

Woods was arrested on warrants for robberies that were committed on Nov. 22, Dec. 27 and early in the morning of Jan. 5, 2011.

On Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011 members of the Neighborhood Recovery Unit executed a narcotics search warrant at 34 Conklin St. 1^st floor.  The target of the investigation was taken into custody away from the location.  NRU members debriefed the target and returned to the location and executed the warrant.

During the search, a quantity of cocaine, heroin, marihuana, digital scale, US currency, three long guns (two loaded) and other effects pertinent to the sale and distribution of narcotics from the location were recovered.

The following were arrested and charged as follows:

1 – William A. Chinnis (DOB 11-9-1964) of 34 Conklin St., Poughkeepsie, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3^rd B- Felony (2 CTS)

      *Additional charges are pending.

2 – Tara P. Shine (DOB 6-2-1977) of 20 Parkwood Blvd., Poughkeepsie, NY

      Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th A- Misdemeanor

3 – Bonnie Dedekam (DOB 12-15-1965) of 901 Noxon Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY

      Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th A- Misdemeanor

 An elderly bed ridden male subject was released without charges and left the residence under the supervision/care of a female relative.

City of Poughkeepsie Police have located James Thomas and are no longer seeking him.

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor John C. Tkazyik has declared a snow emergency, effective at 11:00 p.m. this date (tonight). Residents must remove their vehicles from snow emergency routes. Vehicles can be parked, free of charge, in city lots until the snow emergency is lifted. Vehicles that are parked on designated snow emergency routes during a snow emergency are subject to being ticketed, towed and impounded at the vehicle owner’s expense. For more information, visit www.cityofpoughkeepsie.com.

The following streets are snow emergency routes:

Academy Street from Main Street to North-South Arterial Highway

Beechwood Avenue from Ferris Lane to city line

South Cherry Street from Main Street to Hooker Avenue

Civic Center Plaza from Mansion Street to Main Street

North Clinton Street from Mansion Street to Route 44/55, westbound

Columbia Street from North-South Arterial Highway to Lincoln Avenue

North Clover Street from Mill Street to Main Street

South Clover Street from Main Street to Union Street

Ferris Lane from Hooker Avenue to Beechwood Avenue

Grand Avenue from city line at Main Street to Hooker Avenue

North Hamilton Street from Parker Avenue to Main Street

South Hamilton Street from Main Street to Livingston Street

Hooker Avenue from South Hamilton Street to city line

Jefferson Street, Route 44/55 to Lincoln Avenue

Lincoln Avenue from Montgomery Street to Livingston Street

Main Street from Hudson River to city line at Grand Avenue

Mansion Street from Smith Street to North Clinton Street

Market Street from Main Street to Montgomery Street

Montgomery Street from Lincoln Avenue to South Hamilton Street

Parker Avenue from Washington Street to city line

Reade Place from South Avenue to Young Street

Smith Street from city line to Clinton Square

South Avenue from Montgomery Street to North-South Arterial Highway

Washington Street from city line to Main Street

Wilbur Boulevard from Hooker Avenue to city line

The snow emergency declared by Mayor John C. Tkazyik remains in effect. Once the storm subsides and streets have been cleared the snow emergency will be lifted. We will send out a Citizen Observer alert and update the city website (www.cityofpoughkeepsie.com) when the snow emergency is lifted. In the meantime, residents must remove their vehicles from snow emergency routes. Vehicles can be parked, free of charge, in city lots until the snow emergency is lifted. Vehicles parked on snow emergency routes are subject to being ticketed, towed and impounded at the vehicle owner's expense.

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor John C. Tkazyik is lifting the snow emergency declared last night effective at 4 p.m. today. After 4 p.m., city residents can once again park their vehicles on snow emergency routes.

Based on complaints made by community members, on Jan. 15, 2011, members of the Neighborhood Recovery Unit engaged in an operation to combat open air drug dealing in and around the Hudson Gardens Housing Complex.  NRU members arrested two subjects engaged in such behavior.

Recovered in the arrest were 50 glassine envelopes believed to be heroin and $375 in US currency.

Arrested were as follows:

Tyrell L. Rudolph, 120 Hudson Ave., 5A3, Poughkeepsie, NY DOB 8-21-1988

Charged with Penal Law 220.16 sub 1

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3^rd a Class B- Felony

Scott Belton, 40 McLaughlin Dr., Marlboro, NY DOB 5-7-1972

Charged with Penal Law 240.36

Loitering in the 1^st a class B-Misdemeanor

Belton was released on an appearance ticket and Rudolph was held pending his arraignment in City of Poughkeepsie Court.

Community members with information regarding drug dealing or suspicious activity in their neighborhood are encouraged to contact the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery Unit at 451-4060.

Based on complaints made by community members of drug dealing in the neighborhood, on January 21, 2011, members of the Neighborhood Recovery Unit and Community Policing executed a narcotics search warrant at 20 Parkwood Blvd.  NRU members arrested 2 subjects during the investigation.

Recovered during the investigation were a number of glassine envelopes believed to contain heroin, suspected crack cocaine, various drug paraphernalia and US currency.

Arrested were as follows:

Tara P. Shine, 20 Parkwood Blvd., Poughkeepsie, NY DOB 6-2-1977

Charged with Penal Law 220.16 sub 1  2(CTS)

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3^rd a Class B- Felony

Robert F. Apgar Jr., 20 Parkwood Blvd., Poughkeepsie, NY DOB 6-20-1965

Charged with Penal Law 220.16 sub 1 

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3^rd a Class B- Felony

Penal Law 220.03 2(CTS)

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7^th a Class A - Misdemeanor

The defendants were arraigned by City of Poughkeepsie Court Judge Frank Mora and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail as follows:

Tara P. Shine $25,000.00 cash/bond

Robert F. Apgar Jr $5000.oo cash/$10,000.oo bond

Community members with information regarding drug dealing or suspicious activity in their neighborhood are encouraged to contact the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery Unit at 451-4060.

After a multi month investigation into narcotics sales in the area of Morse Magnet School on Mansion ST, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department Neighborhood Recovery Unit arrested Larry Philpot DOB 12-2-1969, 130 Mansion ST., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.  Philpot was arrested on a Dutchess County Court arrest warrant.

Philpot was charged as follows:

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3^rd

Penal Law 220.16-1  2 CTS B-Felony

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3^rd

Penal Law 220.39-1  2 CTS B-Felony

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd on or Near School Grounds

Penal Law 220.44-4  2 CTS  B-Felony

Philpot was processed at City of Poughkeepsie Police HQ and transported to the Dutchess County Jail pending his appearance in Dutchess County Court.

Community members with information regarding drug dealing or suspicious activity in their neighborhood are encouraged to contact the City of Poughkeepsie Neighborhood Recovery Unit at 451-4060.

In an effort to remove as much snow as possible from City streets, the City Police Department will be posting “No Parking” signs on certain City streets for Friday, January 28, 2011.  This regulation will be in effect from 6:00am until 4:30pm.

The following streets will be posted:

Lower Northside:

1. Albany St.
2. Talmadge St.
3. Bain Ave.
4. North Clover
5. High St.
6. Lower Mill St.

Upper Northside:

1. Bement Ave.
2. Lent St.
3. Harrison & Grant streets
4. Thompson St.

Lower Southside:

1. Union St.
2. Delano
3. South Bridge
4. Grand St. off Union St.
5. South Perry St.
6. Little Montgomery St.

Middle South Section:

1. Edgar St.
2. May St.
3. Gray St.
4. Fox Terrace

On Friday, January 28, 2011 at approximately 8:00 am, while in the area of Mansion and Garden Streets, an 8 year old male was walking to school when a black male walked towards him and attempted to grab his arm.  The child described the black male as about thirty (30) years old, six feet tall, thin build, medium skin tone, with no facial hair wearing a black hat and black jacket.  The child moved away from the suspect and then ran to Morse School and notified school personnel.   Police could not locate the suspect, and the investigation is continuing.  Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call City of Poughkeepsie Police Detective Division at 845-451-4000.  Residents should notify the Police Department if they observe any suspicious activity similar to this incident.