It has been reported in the Middletown Times Herald-Record that County Executive Ed Diana's Chevy SUV has been outfitted with government emergency radios, emergency lights and a siren. Upon further examination it has been found that other County Executives in the Hudson Valley have the same. Dutchess County Executive Bill Steinhaus and Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef do not. While Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano does.
If you travel to New York City you'll find that quite a few vehicles have red lights and sirens in use. You have to wonder if they are really going to an emergency or if they are just going to a meeting. Last month, New York City's Transportation Commissioner was pulled over and ticketed by a NY State Trooper on the Thruway for speeding and unauthorized use of emergency lights. Why does this Commissioner even have lights and a siren?
New York State vehicle and traffic law states quite specifically who can emergency lights. The law does not mention vehicles of elected or appointed non-emergency related officials. The law does address when and how a blue [fire fighter] or green [EMS] light can and can not be used. The law also addresses how loud a siren can be and where and how big lights can be positioned on a vehicle.
Those who possess and use emergency lights and sirens should use them for lawful purposes. If they are being used lawfully we all hope that those in the vehicle can administer emergency aid once they get to their destination.
If you travel to New York City you'll find that quite a few vehicles have red lights and sirens in use. You have to wonder if they are really going to an emergency or if they are just going to a meeting. Last month, New York City's Transportation Commissioner was pulled over and ticketed by a NY State Trooper on the Thruway for speeding and unauthorized use of emergency lights. Why does this Commissioner even have lights and a siren?
New York State vehicle and traffic law states quite specifically who can emergency lights. The law does not mention vehicles of elected or appointed non-emergency related officials. The law does address when and how a blue [fire fighter] or green [EMS] light can and can not be used. The law also addresses how loud a siren can be and where and how big lights can be positioned on a vehicle.
Those who possess and use emergency lights and sirens should use them for lawful purposes. If they are being used lawfully we all hope that those in the vehicle can administer emergency aid once they get to their destination.
7 comments:
I saw Town of Ulster Supervisor Nicky Woerner with a red light too.
Supervisor Woerner's vehicle is not a Town Vehicle. Futhermore, Supervisor Woerner is the Police Commissioner and under a state of emergency in the Town he is the Chief Executive Officer in charge of the Town. I doubt you saw the Supervisor display a red light. Lastly, with the pice of Gas in our Country the taxpayers of Ulster Should be thankful that the Supervisor uses his personal vehicle for all of his Town Business unlike the other elected officals in this County, ie. the District Attorney, Mayor, and other Town Supervisors.
to: 2:06pm
Yes, Woerner is Chief Executive. So is Diana and Spano, if I believe the blog post.
By the way, what police training does Woerner have? Does he pack a gun as commissioner?
I do agree with you to a point that using your own vehicle is better than using an "official" vehicle. However, private or official, it does not give him the right, within the law, to carry a red light.
To: 4:16pm
While I some what agree with your agreements I want to point out several facts. I don't believe that the Supervisor is issued a Town firearm for his use as a Police Commissioner. Mr. Woerner is certainly old enough to own and carry a firearm if he has obtained a proper permit. Second, Town law of New York State is unique as it provides a Town Supervisor has complete control over all town personnel, equipment and resources in the event of a state of emergency. So the argument as to his possession of a red emergency light is really mute especially when there is a state of emergency which generally happens every year, i.e. flooding. As I said earlier what does the District Attorney need a red light in his County Car for? Or for that matter what does he need a County Car for?
Good topic!
Hey, Dr. Wag. Great blog.
does he claim mileage and get reimbursed? ill bet he does!
To the May 27th poster... The Supervisor only claims mileage once a year for the Association of Towns Meeting in NYC. Which cost the Town $ 97.00. Big deal compared to how much money Barbara Wise cost the Town on lawsuits. It is all FOILable.
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