Clarkstown PBA President to County: "Refrain from Blaming the Police"

Editor's Note: The following is a letter from John M. Hanchar—President, Clarkstown PBA to the Rockland County Legislature

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Ladies and Gentleman of the Rockland County Legislature;

I am writing to express my displeasure at a portion of a resolution, announced in a press release published August 9th 2012, and voted on by all but one member of the legislature, regarding a by the County of Rockland against the Town of Clarkstown. The lawsuit is aimed to address the town's named "Samuel Drive" located in the hamlet of Nanuet.

Irrespective of the merits of the lawsuit, or your position on the town's legal ability to act in the manner they did, I find it disappointing that such a respected body as the Rockland County Legislature would seemingly blame the officers of the Clarkstown Police Department for the unlawful actions of some motorists.   

The officers of this department annually issue thousands of summonses, and twice as many warnings, to motorists in an attempt to increase safety on our roads.  This is done in addition to the officers regular duties that keep them busy, responding to over 50,000 calls for help per year.

In fact, the Clarkstown traffic court is among the busiest in the State of New York, and is the busiest town (non city) court in the Empire State.  According to Chief Michael Sullivan, the dept has responded to the resident's complaints with directed traffic patrols, selective enforcement, decoy police vehicles, solar powered speed indicator signs as well as conducting traffic count studies.

Speeding on Newport drive occurs despite a heavy police presence, rather than because of a lack of presence. The Clarkstown PBA has taken no stand on the issue of the road closure, other than to say that we do not feel that the closure significantly impacts emergency operations in the town.  We ask that in future discussions and publications, you refrain from blaming the police for the actions of some motorists, or implying that the reason for the town's action is some inaction on the part of our officers.  

Thank you for your attention.
Respectfully, 
John M. Hanchar—President, Clarkstown PBA

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Editor's Note: Here's a look back at Patch articles about the Samuel Road Closure: