Trustees Accept Police Review Committee Report
Board Action Meets Governor’s Deadline
by Doug La Rocque
The Village Board held a public hearing and special meeting on Tuesday, March 23, to receive public comment on the “Comprehensive Police Practices Review Committee” report that was originally presented to the board and made available to the general public on March 9. This was a direct result of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order 203, from June 12 of last year, in which he directed “each local government entity which has a police agency operating with police officers must perform a comprehensive review of current police force deployments, strategies, policies, procedures, and practices.” The order also required this review must “address any racial bias and disproportionate policing of communities of color.” The Governor ordered that these reports must be completed and filed with the state, no later than April 1.
In October last year, the Trustees appointed Deputy Mayor Bob Ryan, Village Clerk Marie O’Neil and community members Doug Sauer, former Mayor David Borge, Tricia Bloomer and Jasen VonGuinness as well as Police Chief Bob Ashe to its committee.
After nearly five months of work, the committee has put forth a number of recommendations. First on the list is implementing new recruiting programs intended to encourage more hiring of local residents and also to diversify the police candidate pool. Secondly, the committee has determined the primary goal of the Hoosick Falls Police Department (HFPD) is to keep the community safe while treating all citizens equally and with dignity, honor and respect. Third on their list is support for the current levels of funding for the department and no reduction is recommended. Their fourth recommendation is that the Hoosick Falls Police Department continue to periodically review policies and procedures to ensure best practices are achieved. The Committee also found that data collection is crucial to reviewing the effectiveness of policies and fairness.
Perhaps the most prominent of their six recommendations, is strongly urging the Village Board to form a Civilian Review and Reform Board (CRRB). This would be made up of 3 to 7 voting members, with authority to review HFPD policies and procedures, explore new training sources, formalize a civilian complaint process to review, investigate, advise and respond to concerns received from the public among several other aspects.
No one came forward with any comments, pro or con, at the public hearing, held over a Zoom platform. The Trustees then voted unanimously by resolution to accept the report, but also discussed reviewing the document further, with an eye toward perhaps making it a local law.
To that end, it approved a motion to extend the Committee’s life by another six months, to assist them in this quest. Deputy Mayor Bob Ryan saying “we need to keep this group together” to which Chief Ashe added “I would greatly appreciate that.”
The full 19 page report is available on the Village’s website and hard copies are also available at the Municipal Building on Main Street.
Upgrading Internet Capabilities
One other item was on the agenda for the special meeting, and that dealt with internet and phone connects for the new and former Highway Department Garages, as well as the Water Treatment Facility on Waterworks Road. Mayor Rob Allen reporting he has been discussing with Spectrum the cost and feasibility of running a line down that road for the three facilities as well as the sports complexes. He indicated after rebates, the cost to the Village would be about $1,600, with monthly fees running close to the same as they currently are for DSL service. The sports facilities could be closed off when not needed.
Part of Spectrum’s bid included television service for the Highway Department to monitor weather conditions. Some Trustees balked at that cost, contending the information is readily available by computer as well. In the end, it voted to allow the Mayor to proceed, including the television component, if eliminating that happened to be a deal breaker. If the Mayor can work out a deal by March 31, Spectrum indicates construction of the line could begin shortly after.