NYSACOP TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

February 20, 2025 11:00 A.M. (Zoom)
Meeting Minutes

  • Meeting Called to Order – 11:00 A.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.) 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. Chief (ret.) Joseph Sinagra, Saugerties PD: Leave of Absence
  • Guests: No guests this meeting
  • Approval of January 16, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes:

1st:      Chief Worden
2nd:     Chief Spaulding

 

  • Updates/Status on Previous Agenda Topics/Events:
    • Camillus PD Review of Traffic Safety Services:

Chairman Georges gave an overview of the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team’s visit to the Camillus Police Department on January 28, 2025 and the Traffic Safety Review process that the Team conducted.

 

    • NYSACOP Zone 7 Points of Contact Meeting:

Chairman Georges gave an overview of the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team’s Zone 7 Point of Contact meeting which took place on January 29, 2025 in Solvay, NY, and relayed plans for potential future POC zone meetings.

 

    • NYS TAP Committee/DRE Issues:

NYSACOP/GTSC LEL Galerie stated there was nothing new to report on NYS TAP or DRE.

 

    • Oral Fluid Testing:

NYSACOP/GTSC LEL Galerie reported that there will be a NYS Oral Fluid Testing Committee meeting sometime later in February 2025. He stated there is still some confusion in the field between oral fluid roadside screening and evidentiary collection/submission. He further asked the TSC to forward any standing policies they may have regarding oral fluid testing.

 

    • Agencies Using Warning Tickets:

Chairman Georges stated movement on this project is still pending and relayed that the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team discovered during their recent review of Camillus PD, that Camillus has an exceptional warning ticket program in place. Chairman Georges encouraged all TSC members to please forward information to him on any LE agency that currently uses warning tickets.

 

    • Crash Data Review:

Chairman Georges reported that he recently attended a GTSC Motorcycle Safety Committee meeting. He reviewed all of the available NYS 2024 motorcycle crash statistics and motorcycle safety PSA development for the current grant cycle.

Inspector Regina reported that fatal crashes in his jurisdiction were down by 42% in 2024.

Commissioner Jackson reported that the total number of fatal crashes in his region remained consistent from 2023 to 2024, however, there had been a significant increase in fatal crashes involving pedestrians. He stated a review of the crash data showed three (3) main contributing factors re: the increase: Driver intoxication, vehicle speed and pedestrian error.

Chief Worden reported that fatal crashes between motor vehicles and pedestrians/bicyclists decreased by 60% in his region.

Director Tantalo reported that Monroe County Traffic Safety Team now has participation from the City of Rochester, which should significantly aid it’s mission.

 

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

TSSC Denz reported that he is planning on attending the Western NY Association of Chiefs of Police meeting scheduled for March 20, 2025, and that NYSCAOP/GTSC LEL Galerie will be attending a meeting of the NE Chiefs Association in the near future.

 

    • Traffic Safety Engagement and Equity in Enforcement Programs:

Chairman Georges reported that there appears to be a significant shift in DEI traffic safety policy at the Federal government level and it appears the new direction has the potential to have an impact on the levels of grant funding. The Traffic Safety Team will monitor this issue and update the committee as necessary.

 

    • GTSC Update/Issues: 

NYSACOP/GTSC LEL Galerie reported that the call letters from GTSC announcing the opening of the FY26 applications should be distributed on, or about, March 1st. He stated that the new GTSC policy is to review the grant applications as soon as they are received, as opposed to waiting until the close date of the application period to start reviews, as had been done in previous grant cycles.

NYSACOP/GTSC LEL Galerie also reported on the continuation of staffing shortages at GTSC and the ongoing restaffing, training, and reorganizational issues within GTSC.

Chairman Georges reported that Mary Tanner-Richter has been officially appointed as Deputy Commissioner for Traffic Safety and Investigations and as part of her duties, will oversee GTSC.

 

    • Other:

Nothing further for this section.

 

  • Upcoming Events:
    • NYSACOP New Chiefs Training: Niagara Falls, N.Y., week of March 24th, 2025:

Chairman Georges gave an overview of this training and stated that the Traffic Safety Team will conduct a Traffic Safety Executive Leadership presentation for this event on March 25th.

 

    • 2025 ESLETS Conference, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Syracuse, N.Y., April 9 & 10, 2025:

Chairman Georges gave an overview of this training and stated that some of the agenda is still in the planning stages.

 

    • NYSACOP Annual Conference, The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, Monticello, N.Y., July 13-16, 2025:

Chairman Georges gave an overview of the conference and stated that some of the agenda is still in the planning stages.

 

  • New Business:
    • NHTSA/Johns Hopkins University National LEL Academy Project:

Chairman Georges gave an overview of this project and how the NYSACOP TS Team has been participating in the development process of the project. TSSC Denz has been asked to be an instructor for the pilot program in May and will be traveling March 4th to John’s Hopkins University in Washington DC for a curriculum/instructors meeting.

 

    • Legislative Update (Deadly Driving Bill & NYS Senate #3662:

Chairman Georges updated the TSC on the status of the Deadly Driving Bill and the continued efforts of ADA Maureen McCormick with this venture.

Chairman Georges advised the TSC of pending legislation, Senate Bill 3662, which if passed, would greatly restrict traffic safety enforcement efforts and vehicle stops. He suggested that an update to the existing NYSACOP Traffic Safety Position Statement may be necessary. After discussion, Chairman Georges asked the TSC if they would like him to update the position statement and ask the NYSACOP Board of Governors for approval. A motion to do such was initiated by Chief Spaulding and seconded by Chief Worden, with a unanimous vote approving the motion. Chairman Georges stated he would update the statement and address this at the next NYSACOP Board of Governors meeting which is slated for March 14, 2025.

 

    • The Current State of Traffic Safety:

Chairman Georges reiterated that there appears to be a significant shift in DEI traffic safety policy and with this in mind, the TSC should develop a proactive strategy in case GTSC/NYSACOP experiences any grant funding cuts.

TSOL Geraci suggested that any law enforcement agency that currently has FY25 grant funding allocated to them should submit reimbursement claims for grant funds as soon as their respective agencies complete a grant detail and not wait to claim submissions until the end of the grant cycle.

TSOL Geraci also stated that he has recently attended meetings with former NHTSA colleagues regarding staffers who have left, or considering leaving employment given new administration directives. . He also stated that he will attempt to have a meeting with Johnathan Morrison once he is officially appointed as the new Administrator of NHTSA.

Chairman Georges reviewed a news article re: Kingston PD reestablishing its Traffic Unit and also how the Albany County Sheriff’s Department is increasing TS enforcement withing the City of Albany. He also mentioned how NYSP announced plans to change the color of their marked patrol units from blue to grey.

 

    • Traffic Safety Activities and Training Courses:

Chairman Georges reviewed current traffic safety training announcements and mentioned that the NYSACOP Traffic Safety Team is considering conducting future Traffic Safety Executive Leadership trainings.

TSSC Denz reported that he will be attending the annual LifeSavers conference in March.

 

    • Other:

TSSC Denz thanked Inspector Regina for assisting with the GTSC CMV training program as he helped to get SCPD CMV personnel involved as trainers for GTSC Program Manager Rob Lopez.

 

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

Chairman Georges polled the TSC for a future date for the March TSC meeting. After discussion the TSC settled on Thursday March 20, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. via Zoom.

 

    • TSC Meetings with Traffic Safety Partners/Guests:

Commissioner Jackson suggested extending an invitation to Mary Tanner-Richter re: perhaps attending a future TSC meeting. Chairman Georges will investigate this possibility.

 

    • NYSACOP TSC – Recruitment, Diversity and Succession Plan:

Nothing to report.

 

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

Chairman Georges stated that he will be submitting an article for the March edition of the Chief’s Chronical and encouraged the TSC members to submit an article, or find a guest to submit one.

 

    • Other:

Nothing further discussed.

 

  • Next Meeting:
    • Thursday, March 20, 2025 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.