Details

Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 02 October 2019

Created: 02 October 2019

Last Updated: 03 October 2019

Hits: 4199

On Sept. 26, bias-related graffiti was found on a restroom stall door in a boy’s restroom on the forth floor of Scarsdale High School. It consisted of a swastika and offensive hate speech targeting different groups of people. Immediately, school officials reported it to police. The incident is being handled as a felony – a bias-related hate crime and fourth-degree criminal mischief – and police are actively investigating the matter.

This is what we know so far: Three students discovered the graffiti in the afternoon and reported it. According to a statement issued by the school, “The words and images were not easily visible, though upon closer scrutiny they became apparent.” Police said it difficult to determine exactly when the graffiti appeared or if it was made in sections over time, possibly using or modifying old graffiti markings that had been sanded-over and painted-over to create a new offensive message.
The incident follows the discovery of similar offensive graffiti discovered in another high school restroom approximately two weeks ago.

Later that same day, Principal Kenneth Bonamo issued the following in an email to parents and students: “We have asked our custodial staff to remove the graffiti and to continue to inspect bathrooms for graffiti during their nightly work. This work may take some time, and the responsibility to keep all areas of our school free of graffiti falls to each of us in not creating it in the first place and in reporting it if it’s seen to a school administrator or counselor. I wish to commend the three students who came forward today.” Deans and youth outreach workers were made available to talk with any students or families seeking conversation on the matter.

Police routinely patrol all schools and houses of worship. However, to address the seriousness of this incident, police noted there will an increased police presence around all Scarsdale schools and houses of worship. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Scarsdale police at 914-722-1200.

Arrests on warrant
On Sept. 23, Peter Pennyfeather, 31, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, surrendered himself to police on an active warrant issued out of Scarsdale for failure to appear in court to resolve vehicle and traffic charges. Pennyfeather was released on his own recognizance and issued an appearance ticket for Scarsdale Village Justice Court.

On Sept. 25, Greenburgh police reported they were holding Jessica G. Vallejos, 47, of White Plains, at their headquarters because there was an active arrest warrant previously issued out of Scarsdale for failure to appear in court to resolve vehicle and traffic charges. She told police there was a language barrier, and she did not realize she was supposed to appear in court. Vallejos was released on his own recognizance and issued an appearance ticket for Scarsdale Village Justice Court.

Attempted burglary
An alarm sounded at a Broadmoor Road house, indicating an attempted burglary Sept. 24. Police arrived at the house and noticed a broken side window. The house was not entered. Police are investigating.

Scam
A White Birch Lane woman reported three fraudulent transactions on her bank account totaling $2,000 Sept. 23. They appeared on her account after she responded to an unsecure fake email and entered financial information while attempting to book tickets. Her credit card company was informed and reversed the charges.

Furniture
A Tunstall Road resident reported her outdoor side lights went on at 9 p.m., Sept. 25, but she thought it was because of an animal. In the morning, she noticed her deck furniture had been rearranged and one of her doorbell cameras had been disconnected and was not charged. Nothing was damaged or missing. Police scheduled extra ridebys of her house as a precaution.

Doorbell
A Stonehouse Road resident reported a white man in his 40s came to her door and rang the doorbell Sept. 26. He allegedly became irate when the homeowner would not answer the door. He was said to have lingered on the doorstep before leaving the property.

Civil matter
On Sept. 23, a Foxhall Road woman reported she had hired movers to help her with a move, but they showed up to her house unprepared. She asked the movers to leave and said she no longer wanted them to do the job. At that point, the movers were begging her to let them start the job. She called police when the movers hesitated to leave. The movers left before patrol arrived.

Cars and roadways
Police stood by a motorist with a disabled car and directed traffic around it, while the motorist waited for a tow, Sept. 23.

The driver of a BMW parked at Garth and Popham roads was sleeping at midnight, Sept. 25. He said he had worked all day and was feeling well. A family member came to pick him up. He refused medical attention.

Patrol removed a branch from Fenimore Road Sept. 24.

A car was left running in Freightway Garage Sept. 24. Police contacted the owner, who returned to the car and turned off the ignition.

A bus was standing in a no standing zone on Post Road, blocking sight lines for other motorists Sept. 256. Police asked the driver to move the bus, and he complied with instructions.
Police helped a pedestrian walk on Weaver Street in an area where there is no sidewalk Sept. 25.

Police called a tow for an overheating car at Greenacres and Walworth avenues Sept. 25.

Police stood by while a motorist changed a flat tire on Walworth Avenue Sept. 25.

Police noticed a car with an open door parked in a Gatehouse Road driveway at 1 a.m., Sept. 26. The car did not appear tossed. Police closed the door.

Police contacted the driver of a car parked partially across a Carthage Road driveway and asked the driver to move the car Sept. 27. The driver complied.

A man could not exit a parking space on Brewster Road because another driver parked too close to him Sept. 27. Police contacted the high school, where an announcement was made for the driver to move his car. Police stood by while the car was moved and issued the driver a summons.

The highway department removed a fallen tree from Palmer Avenue Sept. 29.

Five car accidents were reported in the Village this week.

Animals
A Barry Road man reported a skunk had been struck by a car and was injured and hiding under her bushes Sept. 25. The skunk’s location made it unsafe for police to check it, although it appeared to not be moving. Police provided the man with contact information for local animal trappers. The man said he would probably wait to see if the skunk would die there and then remove it himself. Later that day, another Barry Road homeowner reported an injured skunk walking on her yard. Police provided her with animal trappers’ contact information. The animal was most likely the same skunk reported in the first call. An hour later, the skunk was reported dead. Police disposed of it and notified sanitation workers for pickup.

Police picked up a loose, large, light brown Cockapoo at Post Road and Boulevard Sept. 25. While waiting for New Rochelle Humane Society to pick up the dog, a woman called to report her lost dog. Police reunited the dog with its family and issued the owner a summons for having a dog at large.

Police reunited a loose French bulldog and its owner after the dog was found loose on Post Road Sept. 28.

Village code
Police issued landscapers summonses for using gas-powered leaf blowers in violation of village code on Secor Road Sept. 24, Circle Road Sept. 26 and Rock Creek Lane Sept. 27.
After neighbors complained of noise, police asked a Richbell Road homeowner to lower the volume of music Sept. 27.

Lost and found
A Walworth Avenue caller reported she lost her phone while walking a neighbor’s dog Sept. 24.

A Paddington Road resident reported losing her passport from Thailand somewhere between CVS on Popham Road and her house during a walk Sept. 26.

Firefighters
According to Fire Chief James Seymour, firefighters responded to 27 incidents during the reporting period. He shared details of the following incidents.

On Sept. 23, firefighters responded to a reported gas leak in a Fayette Road house.

Con Edison was notified and detected a leak inside the boiler. The boiler was red tagged.

On Sept. 23, firefighters assisted with evacuation and helped extinguish a cooking fire confined to a container in a Central Avenue apartment.

Firefighter assisted with a car accident with injuries on the Hutchinson River Parkway Sept. 23.

On Sept. 26, firefighters were alerted to a problem on Highland Way by an automatic fire alarm. Upon arrival, firefighters smelled an odor of a pot being left on the stove through the mail slot. They made entry and removed the pot from stovetop. The homeowner was home but did not hear firefighters ringing the doorbell. The house was ventilated with a portable fan.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Sept. 23-29 has been compiled from official information.

This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.

Details

Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig

Published: 09 October 2019

Created: 09 October 2019

Last Updated: 10 October 2019

Hits: 3215

Stolen: On Oct. 2, a Scarsdale Avenue business owner reported he saw one of his employees stealing $2,680.36 worth of lottery tickets from his business. Police are following up.

On Oct. 6, an Overhill Road resident reported two Japanese credit cards and one Chase Bank debit card had been stolen from his wallet and fraudulently used to purchase $5,500 worth of gift cards from the Apple store in Ridge Hill Shopping Center in Yonkers On Oct. 5. Police are following up.

Identity theft
On Oct. 2, a Black Birch Lane resident reported fraudulent activity on her Lord and Taylor credit card amounting to $2,431.82.

Criminal mischief
A Rural Drive resident reported a broken window in her basement Oct. 6.

Dogs
A neighbor reported that a Larch Lane dog often roams the neighborhood off leash and sometimes hunts rabbits Oct. 1. Patrol spoke with the dog’s owner who said his electric dog fence sometimes does not work. He also said he would try to keep the dog in his yard.

A loose dog belonging to a Boulevard resident darted into the street and was struck by a gray minivan Oct. 5. The dog was taken to the vet by its owner. The driver of the minivan called police to report the accident after she initially left the scene.

Village code
On Oct. 3, police issued summonses to two women who were going door-to-door on Fox Meadow Road, soliciting Internet services without a proper permit.

Two tickets were issued to the owner of a motorcycle without plates parked on Greenacres Avenue Oct. 4.

Lost and found
A Herkimer Road resident reported losing his license plates when he turned his car into a dealership following a lease Oct. 2.

A black briefcase containing a video camera tripod was found by a set of stairs outside Village Hall Oct. 4. Police vouchered it for safekeeping.

An equipment bag printed with the name of a Brite Avenue resident was found at Crossway Field Oct. 5. Police returned it to its owner.

A Metro Card was found in village center and given to police for safekeeping Oct. 6.

Cars and roadways
On Sept. 30, a Cornell Street resident reported her mailbox had been knocked over by a car overnight. Police took note of the mailbox on the ground and a car’s side mirror that had apparently fallen off in the accident.

Patrol moved a branch off of Brambach Road Oct. 1.

Police called a tow truck for a car with two flat tires on Heathcote Road Oct. 3.

Police removed branches from Lincoln Road Oct. 4.

Police notified the highway department about a broken tree branch dangling over Morris Lane Oct. 5.

Police notified Verizon about fallen wires on Penn Boulevard Oct. 5.

Police called Lime Bike rental company to request that three rental bicycles be picked up from in front of an Oak Lane house Oct. 5.

Three car accidents were reported in the village during the reporting period.

Firefighters
According to Scarsdale Fire Captain James Seymour, firefighters responded to 29 incidents this week. He shared the following.

On Sept. 30, firefighters removed a pot of food burning on a Crawford Road stove while no one was home. Next, they ventilated the space.

On Sept. 30, firefighters traced a gasoline odor in a Springdale Road house to a leaking gas generator. Firefighters shut off the generator and ventilated the house.

On Oct. 3, firefighters removed a pot of food burning on an Elm Road stove while no one was home. Next, they ventilated the space.

More Fire News:

Fire Fair 2019

A "Fire Fair" at Station 3 at 56 Crossway is planned for Saturday, October 19, 2019 to promote Fire Prevention Month. It will be held from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M., rain or shine. The fair will be a full Fire Department effort, with participation from all three volunteer companies, explorers, as well as the career staff.

The fair will include a "Smoke Trailer" – a simulated house with a smoke machine for kids to crawl through; apparatus demonstrations; Hourly FIRE DEMONSTRATIONS; extinguisher demos; fire prevention videos; fire safety checklist completion prizes; literature and food. Other "hands on" activities for children are also planned.

The school program will take place prior to the fair. On Friday, October 18, 2019, firefighters will visit the first grades in all of the elementary schools in the village. They will show a safety video and discuss fire prevention. They will also distribute flyers to children of all ages to bring back home reminding the families about the fair.

This year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” works to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

Fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire escape ladders will be on sale. New this year, you can bring your home fire extinguishers to the Fair and get a free inspection. Although the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) designates October as "Fire Prevention Month", we know that emergency preparedness has to be ongoing all year round. Stay safe!

Scarsdale Firefighter to Present at Firehouse Expo

Scarsdale Career Firefighter Timothy Duffy has been selected to present his “Weighing in on Building Construction” course at this year’s Firehouse Expo on October 8th in Nashville, Tennessee. Duffy, well known around New York State, is a 6 year veteran of the Scarsdale Fire Department. He also teaches for the New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control as well as the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. His course is designed to help firefighters determine a building’s characteristics, construction type, and materials in the early stages of an incident, combined with a thorough understanding of how a building reacts to fire and heat. His program will include an in-depth review of the building “types” and the hazards associated with each as well as the methods and materials used during construction.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Sept. 30 – Oct. 6 has been compiled from official information.

This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.

Details

Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig

Published: 25 September 2019

Created: 25 September 2019

Last Updated: 25 September 2019

Hits: 3873

DWI arrest: While conducting burglary patrol on Old Lyme Road, police encountered a parked 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser with its engine running and a man sleeping inside at the steering wheel 3 a.m., Sept. 19. Police attempted to wake the man by tapping on the window, but it was unsuccessful. Police then opened the driver’s door, and the man woke up and began to speak incoherently. A strong odor of alcohol was detected in his breath. Police reached into the car and turned off the ignition but were not able to remove the keys. The man – Felix Davey, 30, of New York City – was incoherent with his speech and unable to answer questions; so police asked him to step out of the car. In response to being asked to step out of the car, Davey allegedly responded insensibly several times with his eyes closed: “I don’t want to f*** you.” Davey stepped out of the car, then re-entered it and put on his seat belt, indicating an intention to drive away in a dangerous state. Police called for backup and put hands on Davey, while giving clear verbal commands, in an attempt to separate him from his car for safety. Davey became combative and non-compliant. Davey grabbed the officer with both hands and partially pulled him into the car. Backup officers arrived, opened the passenger door and successfully pushed Davey out of the car. Three officers then struggled with Davey to get him to the ground and put handcuffs on him. One officer fell and was injured in the process. An alco-sensor test confirmed the presence of alcohol in Davey’s body. Davey was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated (first offense), operation of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of at least .08 of one percent, resisting arrest, obstruction of government administration and second-degree assault. Following arrest processing, Davey was transported to Scarsdale Village Justice Court for arraignment by Judge Alemany. Alemany set bail at $2,500 cash / $5,000 bond. Unable to post bail, Davey was then transported to Westchester County Jail, and his car was impounded.

Burglary
A burglar entered an unoccupied Palmer Avenue house through an unlocked door at 7:12 p.m., Sept. 17. An alarm activated, and police were dispatched to the scene. There, investigation determined that someone had entered the house illegally with intent to commit a crime, and two bags of dog food were stolen.

A burglar alarm sounded at an Archer Lane house Sept. 21, and police determined a burglary had taken place. Stolen items included a safe and its contents. Police are investigating.

Stolen equipment
On Sept. 20, a Board of Education employee told police that 42 Dell Chromebooks valued at $8,000 went missing from Quaker Ridge School over the summer. Additionally, five iPads went missing from Greenacres School over the summer.

Stolen credit cards, bicycle
On Sept. 16, a Kent Road woman reported that credit cards were recently stolen from her car, and they were used to make unauthorized purchases on Sept. 13. The purchases amounted to approximately $500.00.

A Country Ridge Road girl reported her $100 bike had been stolen from the bicycle rack located in front of the train station on East Parkway.

Car break-ins
On Sept. 21, a Murray Hill Road resident reported someone entered two of their cars parked in their driveway overnight. Both cars were unlocked. Nothing was determined to have been stolen.

On Sept. 21, a Brookby Road resident reported his unlocked car had been entered overnight, and the perpetrator stole a change container from the center console.

On Sept. 21, a Sheldrake Road resident reported her unlocked car had been entered overnight and items were stolen, including two rolls of quarters at $10 each and a police surgeon badge.

Identity theft
On Sept. 16, a Post Road resident reported someone opened and closed a fraudulent bank account in his name in June. He learned about it after receiving mail from Key Bank regarding the account.

Scam
On Sept. 17, a Saxon Woods Road resident reported she was the victim of a phone scam in which she provided personal and banking information before realizing it was a scam.

Hacking
A Brewster Road woman told police she lost numerous emails from her AOL account and could not recover them Sept. 17. She suspected that her account had been hacked.

Suspicious
On Sept. 16, police stood by a suitcase with a raised handle left on Depot Place, waiting for MTA police to arrive.

Mail
A Herkimer Road resident reported seeing people looking through mailboxes on the street Sept. 20. The people were said to have come out of a blue Honda with gold rims. Police canvassed the area but did not find the people.

Assistance
On Sept. 19, an Aspen Road man asked police to help him with two of his mother’s legally owned firearms before her permit expired the next day. The son said his elderly mother no longer wanted the revolvers.

Civil matter
On Sept. 16, a Wynmor Road man reported he is doing landscaping work and his neighbor left him a note regarding the cutting of shrubs and plants near the property line. Police advised the man to consult with a surveyor to determine the property line and settle the civil matter.

Pedestrians hit
On Sept. 17, a 60-year-old pedestrian was stuck by a car at the corner of Mamaroneck and Park roads while she was crossing the street. Firefighters and police assessed the patient and rendered first aid. Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps loaded the pedestrian onto a stretcher and transported her to the White Plains Hospital Center for treatment of injuries and pain to her head, neck and left side. The driver was a 92-year-old Scarsdale resident who was making a left turn through the T-intersection.

On Sept. 19, a man was struck by a car near the Scarsdale Shell station on Scarsdale Avenue. It was approximately 7:30 a.m. when the accident occurred.

Police received a call of a man with his leg pinned between two cars on Kent Road at 7:45 a.m., Sept. 19. The man had been standing behind his car changing clothes for work when a car behind him rolled forward and pinned him before the driver could reach inside to turn off the car. The man was lying on the ground when police arrived. He explained one of the cars had already been moved following the accident that allowed him to release his legs.

Cars and roadways
On Sept. 16, police notified the highway department about tree branches blocking a stop sign on Bradley Road.
Police removed a fallen cable wire from Post and Chase roads Sept. 16.
A water main cover was missing on Lincoln Ave. Sept. 17. Police put caution tape around it and notified the water department.
Police advised roadway workers on Butler Road to set up traffic cones in a way that did not disrupt traffic flow Sept. 18.
Patrol helped a pedestrian cross the five-corners intersection Sept. 18.
Patrol called a tow for a disabled car on Claremont Road Sept. 19.
On Sept. 20, police stood by a driver with a defective alternator in his car while the driver waited for a tow on Hutchinson Ave.
Con Edison was notified about a leaning utility pole on Leatherstocking Lane Sept. 21.
A large tree branch fell onto a parked car on Walworth Avenue, causing the windshield to shatter, Sept. 21.
Police placed a traffic cone over a loose manhole cover on Olmsted Road Sept. 22.
Eleven car accidents were reported in the village this week.

Animals
Police provided contact information for animal trappers to a Wildwood Road woman who reported seeing a raccoon that “looked odd” Sept. 17.

Police provided contact information for animal trappers to a Berwick Road resident who reported a small animal had been interfering with traffic Sept. 18.

A sick raccoon was observed in a Leatherstocking Lane backyard Sept. 21. It died while police were on scene, and the sanitation department was informed for pickup.

On Sept. 21, a Brewster Road resident reported his dog was attacked and bitten by a loose Sage Terrace dog in the neighborhood. The bite did not break the dog’s skin. Police spoke with the Sage Terrace dog’s owner and issued the owner a summons for having a dog at large.

Village code
Police issued landscapers summonses for using gas-powered blowers on Kingston Road Sept. 16, Brewster and Kingston roads Sept. 17 and Heathcote Road Sept. 19.

Police rounded up a group of kids out walking after dark on Secor Road and drove them back to the house of an adult in charge of them Sept. 20.

A bulldozer was being used on Colonial Road before 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21. Police issued the operator a village code violation summons.

Lost and found
A Con Edison worker left his iPad on the roof of his car after performing an inspection on Greenacres Ave. Sept. 17. He drove away and lost the iPad, which resulted in a report of the iPad as missing.

A passerby found a set of keys, consisting of a lanyard and three keys, on Colvin Road Sept. 18. Police vouchered them for safekeeping.

Firefighters

The renovated Popham Road FirehouseFollowing extensive renovations, the firehouse on Post Road at Village Hall is open for business. "The Popham Road Firehouse, also known as Station 1, was originally constructed in 1923. A ribbon cutting was held on September 25 to mark completion of an extensive renovation that targeted critical structural deficiencies and modernization of key elements of the structure's design that had become obsolete over time. Among others, Mayor Marc Samwick and Volunteer Company 1 President, Oliver Goldstein, delivered public comments to mark the occasion. The Popham Road Firehouse is now a 21st century asset."

A Tesla parked inside a Lincoln Road garage was emitting battery fumes Sept. 17. Firefighters traced the odor to an overcharged Tesla battery. Firefighters contacted the homeowner and explained the situation. Police secured the interior garage door and left the exterior door open to ventilate.

On Sept. 18, firefighters assisted Con Edison and ensured residents’ safety at the site of a gas leak due to workers accidentally striking the line.
Firefighters assisted at a head-on, rollover collision with airbag deployment, involving a wrong-way driver on the Hutchinson River Parkway near the Weaver Street exit Sept. 19. One young man was taken by SVAC to Jacobi Medical Center for injuries. Three additional people were also taken to the hospital for injuries.

On Sept. 21, firefighters assisted at a car accident on Post Road, at Wayside Lane.

This report covering police and fire department activity from Sept. 16-22 has been complied from official information.

This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.