Crime Scene

Terry Hutmacher has left the building – the Orangetown police station.

After nearly 35 years as a patrol officer, detective and lieutenant. Hutmacher retired Friday.

Aside from being an integral part of numerous major investigations, Hutmacher was one of the county’s original hostage negotiators, as part of the team established in Orangetown several decades ago.

The usually modest Hutmacher remained so in a short interview today. He preferred to speak about his colleagues more than himself. He also had the duty of … Read more of this entry »

New York’s top prosecutors are gathering in New Paltz to discuss criminal justice issues and legal remedies through state legislation.

The New York State District Attorney’s Association’s summer retreat is being hosted by Rockland DA Michael Bongiorno, the association’s current president. Bongiorno chose the Mohawk Mountain Resort in New Paltz for the conference, which started Wednesday and ends Sunday.

The association lobbies lawmakers and the governor for changes in laws.

What also ends Sunday is Bongiorno’s reign as president of the association. ... Read more of this entry »

If your children are interested in a career in public safety, one way for them to get a taste of it is through “junior academiesâ€? sponsored by local police and fire departments. In Peekskill, the city Police Department has announced the start of its 5th annual Peekskill Youth Police Academy on July 23. Children between the ages of 12 and 15 learn about police work by working side-by-side with some of Peekskill finest to learn what it’s like to be … Read more of this entry »

Cops and cop reporters usually deal with misery, tragedy and sometimes death, so yesterday’s topless PETA protest at The Westchester mall in White Plains against the use of fur by Burberry stores was a welcome relief from the usual grind.

The giggling, jiggling demonstrators attracted an ample supply of both, with no fewer than three news crews and at least a dozen of White Plains’ Finest showing up to “do our jobs.”

Read more here.

Paul Modica was sworn-in Tuesday night as the police chief of Spring Valley.

Modica’s wife, Beth, a Ramapo deputy town attorney and former prosecutor, held the bible for his oath-taking and pinned the chief’s insignia on her husband. Spring Valley Justice Alan Simon officiated.

Officers from the Spring Valley, Ramapo and other departments packed the Village Hall meeting room for the ceremony. Others attending the ceremony included Ramapo Police Chief Peter Brower, as well as Rockland District Attorney Michael Bongiorno, Sheriff … Read more of this entry »

When victims’ relatives take the witness stand at murder trials, defense lawyers are usually on their best behavior. They have to be careful not to seem insensitive or antagonize the jury by aggressively questioning the still grieving witness, who commands sympathy by the circumstance that brings him or her to court.
That was not the case on Monday at the start of Fred Richardson’s trial in Westchester County Court. Richardson is accused of gunning down 30-year-old Kevin Chambliss on Ferris … Read more of this entry »

Stony Point Police Chief Patrick Brophy today said he officially has asked the Rockland District Attorney’s Office to investigate the fireworks show on July 4th at the home of Councilman Stephen J. Cole-Hatchard, who also is a Clarkstown police detective and a North Rockland school board member.

Possessing, selling and using fireworks for personal use is illegal in New York State.

Brophy wanted to ensure the public confidence in the investigation. He specifically noted that Cole-Hatchard is a town official who is … Read more of this entry »