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New Castle Police

New Castle’s First Responders

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

New Castle Police Department

The Town of New Castle Police Department is a full service accredited law enforcement organization of 37 sworn officers and 16 civilian employees under the leadership of Chief James Carroll. Chief Carroll recently took over as Chief after 25 years of ongoing and dedicated service; he began as a Police Officer in 1993, and worked next as a Field Training Officer, and then made Sergeant followed by Lieutenant before taking on the mantle of Chief. He and his entire force are dedicated to the safety and welfare of all New Castle residents. In addition to responding to 911 calls, the NCPD offers a full range of non-emergency services; some examples include: Child Safety Seat Inspection, Vacant House Check, Senior Watch Program, and Nixle Communication. Additionally, the New Castle Police Department partnered with Chappaqua resident and DORCs (Distracted Operators Risk Casualties) co-founder Ben Lieberman, to implement the now nationally-recognized “Hands off the Phone and On the Wheel” initiative. The Town of New Castle enjoys a high quality of life with low crime rates, and is well known as a great place to raise a family. mynewcastle.org/181/Police-Department

 

Chappaqua Fire Department

Chappaqua Fire Department procession at the 2019 Memorial Day Parade in Chappaqua. Photo by Grace Bennett/InsidePress

The Chappaqua Fire Department is the very definition of what it means to be a good neighbor. In fact, the department’s slogan “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 1910” was adopted in 2005 as their mission statement; a code-of-conduct promise to serve day-in and day-out 24/7/365. Chief John Maduras commands this municipal service, overseeing a fully volunteer staff of men and women, all of whom are highly trained in all aspects of Fire Suppression, Rescue, Fire Prevention and much more.

They ask little in return other than that residents do their part to prevent fires and stop them from spreading. To this end, the CFD website is full of helpful tips and information. It is also the place to become involved; the CFD is continuously accepting applications for membership. chappaquafd.org

 

 

 

 

 

Millwood Fire Company

The Millwood Fire Company, a 100% volunteer company of nearly seventy members, proudly serves and protects the citizens of Millwood, New York a hamlet of the town of New Castle, as well as large portions of Chappaqua and Ossining. Responding from two stations, the MFC protects a fire district of approximately 10 square miles; primarily residential, the area also includes a handful of commercial developments, as well as a regional electrical substation, a regional water filtration plant, several public schools and several group homes. Under the leadership of Chief Jan Schwark, the Millwood Fire Company is always looking for men and women who are willing to put forth the effort and take a step forward in community service. No prior experience is required, and full state approved training will be provided. Anybody over the age of 16 and in good health is welcome to fill out an application. millwoodfire.org

Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps

For more than 80 years, the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps, aka CVAC, has provided emergency care to those who visit, live, or work in New Castle. Volunteers are members of the community who can and do give freely of their time. Motivated by a combination of community spirit, a desire to give back, camaraderie, and an interest in emergency medicine, CVAC members share a common passion for helping the community. They respond to over 500 calls annually, attending to all forms of medical emergencies in the New Castle district. Whether it’s an at-home accident or illnesses, or an on-the-road vehicular accident, CVAC is quickly dispatched and equally quick to the scene. After triaging the situation, CVAC usually transports the patient to a local hospital Emergency Room for further medical care. CVAC also reaches out with programs to educate the community on First Aid and CPR. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into making sure CVAC is ready to respond to medical emergencies in the community. To find out more, and/or to volunteer (no experience or background in emergency care is necessary or required; training is free and provided by CVAC): chappaquaambulance.org

Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps

OVAC, the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, is comprised of both volunteer and career members who provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Currently, there are 25 active members, and more than 40 lifetime members who have all given over ten years of service to the Ossining Community. Members come from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life, and range in age from 16-year-old High School students to retirees. Though diverse, they are bound by their desire to be of service to their neighbors. Monthly training is part of the required duties of membership; EMT classes are offered in neighboring communities in conjunction with the Phelps Pre-Hospital Training Department. OVAC members also train others, offering First Aid and CPR courses as needed for anyone interested. In addition to the primary responsibility of answering emergency medical care calls, volunteers participate in community events such as parades, standbys at church bazaars and street fairs, and make presentations in community schools. ossiningvac.org

 

First responder contact info

If it’s an emergency, dial 911! For any non-emergency, keep this list handy.

Chappaqua Police Department, 914-238-4422

Chappaqua Fire Department, 914-238-4205

Millwood Fire Department, 914-941-2222

Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 914-238-3191

Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 914-941-9196

New Castle Animal Control, 914-238-6889

Information Courtesy of the Chappaqua Fire Department, the Millwood Fire Company, the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps. and The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Filed Under: Discover New Castle Tagged With: Chappaqua Fire Department, Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps., First Responders, Millwood Fire Company, Millwood Fire Department, New Castle Police, Ossining Ambulance Corps., Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Welcoming James Carroll: New Castle’s New Police Chief

August 24, 2019 by Ronni Diamondstein

Police Chief James Carroll
PHOTO BY RONNI DIAMONDSTEIN

There’s a new Chief in town, but New Castle’s new Police Chief James Carroll is hardly new to New Castle. Carroll was sworn in on June 28th upon the retirement of Chief Charles Ferry. “We chose Jim Carroll based on his experience. Chief Carroll has more than 15 years of police supervisory experience. He has been, and will continue to be, an asset to the Town,” said Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein about the Board’s decision to promote Carroll.

Carroll lived in the Bronx until he was five years old and then moved to Dutchess County where he still lives. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Marist College and worked briefly as a claims adjuster until he began his law enforcement career in April 1990 as a Dutchess County Deputy Sherriff.

In October 1993, Carroll joined the New Castle Police Department as a police officer. He trained new police officers for five years, was promoted to Sergeant in 2004, and then Lieutenant in 2016. “I didn’t know that I wanted to be Chief. I always wanted to move up in the ranks because I thought I could help shape the department. The further I got up, the further I wanted to go,” says Carroll.

Vicki Bergstrom whose family owns Lange’s Little Store has known Carroll since he started in New Castle. “It’s nice to see him rise through the ranks. He’s always been a great part of the community.”

“Service is our goal and primary function,” says Carroll. “I’d like to make this town the safest, and provide the best possible police service in the County or anywhere.” He is proud of his accomplishments to date that include increased productivity of traffic enforcement and community checks. “I want people to know that if they have a problem they should call. I tell the officers that if the phone rings I want a police officer to go speak to the caller.  Sometimes it’s not a police matter, but we can talk to them and maybe steer them in the right direction, and that helps.”

Chief Carroll hosted his first “Coffee With A Cop” on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Lange’s Little Store in Chappaqua with plans for one soon in the west end of the town. (L-R): Lt. James Dumser, Caroline Wood, Chief James Carroll, Nate Wood and Lt. Estuardo Pazmino. PHOTO BY RONNI DIAMONDSTEIN

Strengthening Relationships in the Community

Carroll is pleased with his good relationships with fellow first responders. “Jim has always brought a sense of calmness to his role as a police officer and his presence at emergency scenes is not only comforting to the residents, but the first responders as well,” says Chappaqua Fire Chief Russell Maitland. “We are very lucky to have someone like Jim at the helm of our police department.”

Carroll has also developed a strong relationship with the school district. Amy Kaiser, a Chappaqua teacher met Carroll when she was Greeley’s faculty advisor for the annual Relay for Life.  “For the first time, we decided to hold the event at the Bell field, which we knew would require lots of support from our police department. Lt. Carroll was totally supportive and a true pleasure to work with.  He and his officers were on-site throughout the evening, ensuring the event was safe and successful.”

A priority for Carroll is to have full-time school resource officers, one in the high school, one in each middle school, or one for both middle schools, and he’s working with the school district to get that done.

“We’re here as a resource to help and guide. We want to have a relationship with students so they feel comfortable and can go talk to an officer. If you do it with the kids when they are young, it helps with their social and emotional growth.”

As Chief, Carroll’s increased responsibilities include personnel selection, promotions and the budget. “You’re responsible for things that no one else is, and for everyone in the department from detective sergeants to the civilian staff.” He knows he will face some challenges. “Recruiting and selecting officers are more difficult these days. Fewer people are interested in going into law enforcement as a career.”

On the Horizon for the Police Department

Going forward, Carroll wants to improve their social media presence on Facebook and Twitter to give the department more transparency. “There are a lot of things we do that people don’t know about. We have a brand new police car, and we’ve reunited lost dogs with their owners.” He’d also like to build relationships with the officers and the community. “I want to do ‘Coffee with a Cop,’ ‘Coffee with the Chief,’ have an open house, and bring back the bike and motorcycle patrols.” says Carroll.

Carroll is grateful to his predecessor. “Chief Ferry has been a great mentor, co-worker, leader and friend. I wouldn’t be here now without him. It’s exciting to take over and put my own stamp on it.”

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Chief Carroll, Chief Ferry, Coffee with a Cop, community, James Carroll, New Castle Police, Police Chief, police officer, relationships, Relay for Life

Vaping, Juuling and E-Cigarettes – What You Don’t Know Can Hurt Your Kids

January 14, 2018 by Inside Press

While our teens are well versed in vaping lingo, many are not well educated on the health risks those devices present. There is a further knowledge gap between what our kids know and what we parents do. Join us on January 18 at 7 pm in the Horace Greeley Auditorium for an informative presentation about vaping  featuring Robert Rhodes, HGHS Principal, Dr. Richard Stumacher, Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital, Carolyn D’Agostino, HGHS Student Assistance Counselor and Robert Greenstein, Town of New Castle Supervisor.

This event is presented in collaboration between ew Castle United for Youth (NCUFY), the CCSD, the Chappaqua PTA and Northern Westchester Hospital Center. For more information about vaping, visit the “vaping, juuling and e-cigarettes” link in the Parent Toolkit.

Chief Charles Ferry is pleased to announce that the New Castle Police Department conducted alcohol compliance checks at 17 licensed establishments and that all businesses passed. These compliance checks were supported by New Castle United for Youth, a federally funded community coalition whose mission is to create a supportive and interconnected community for New Castle youth and their families by building relationships and addressing challenges that our youth face, including alcohol and other drug use, for the purpose of promoting a safe and healthy environment for our young people.

The department’s Alcohol Compliance Unit performed the checks during the month of November.  All establishments followed state laws and prohibited the sale of alcohol to a minor. The establishments visited include:

Hilltop Wines and Spirits

Chappaqua Wine and Spirits

Rite Aid

Walgreens

DeCicco & Sons

Dodds Liquor City

Rocky’s Deli

Millwood Market

Pizza 238

Chappaqua Station

Spoon Asian Fusion

Quaker Hill Tavern

Le Jardin Du Roi

Chappaqua Tavern

Aesops Fable

Old Stone Trattoria

Spaccarelli’s Italian Restaurant

Working in cooperation with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the New Castle Police accompanied underage buyers who attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages.  Each location refused to serve buyers when they failed to present identification verifying that they were of legal drinking age.

Chief Ferry stated that a town wide alcohol sales compliance check was overdue and thanked the New Castle United for Youth Coalition for funding the initiative and for the work they are doing to keep alcohol and drugs away from New Castle youth. 

New Castle United for Youth’s vision is a community where youth can thrive and lead happy, engaged, and healthy lives without the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.  According to David Johns, NCUFY Coalition Coordinator, “In order to make that vision a reality, the Coalition, which is a volunteer driven organization, takes a comprehensive approach to preventing underage drinking.  Our hope is to not only increase awareness regarding the dangers and consequences associated with underage drinking, but to also greatly reduce youth access to alcohol and to encourage healthy lifestyle choices.”

Filed Under: New Castle Releases Tagged With: drug and alcohol abuse4, New Castle Police, New Castle United for Youth Coalition, Northern Westchester Hospital, Town of New Castle, Vaping

Nine Ways Chappaqua Might Change as a Two-President Town

October 21, 2016 by Stacey Pfeffer

After casting their vote at Grafflin during New York’s primary day in April. Grace Bennett Photo
After casting their vote at Grafflin during New York’s primary day in April. Grace Bennett Photo

The excitement in Chappaqua has been building for months ever since one of our most famous residents, Hillary Rodham Clinton, announced her candidacy for President. No matter how you cast your vote this November, it is undeniable that our small town’s larger than life profile throughout the U.S. and beyond will simply continue to expand. Although it is impossible to predict the election’s exact impact on our town, here are an array of predictions of what may be in store should Chappaqua become a two-president town:

1. An even higher profile for our town–as if that were even possible. “The Clintons helped put Chappaqua on the national map when they moved here in 1999,“ said State Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Mount Kisco), and a member of Hillary for New York Leadership Council. Echoing Assemblyman Buchwald’s sentiments, Grace Bennett, publisher/editor of Inside Chappaqua noted that “in truth, Chappaqua has been on the world stage for many years now; I’ve tried to convey a sense of their influence here since launching Inside Chappaqua in 2003, shortly after the Clintons arrived. The powerful presence of this world famous couple has become part and parcel of our town’s identity, and I think that phenomenon will only be enhanced and solidified if Hillary Clinton becomes the nation’s first woman president.”

2. Cultivating a culture of concerned citizens in Chappaqua across all generations. Hometown advocacy groups for Hillary were established even prior to her official announcement to run for President. These Hillary supporters from groups such as Chappaqua Friends of Hill (and Tim) have local members that span across all age groups and are involved in activities such as canvassing and voter registration near and far. Many of these supporters have never been involved before in political advocacy but felt inspired by her. Chappaqua 4 Clinton/Kaine NOW offers a steady stream of campaign news on Facebook and Twitter.

3. Increased media presence. Last month, when Hillary Clinton abruptly left a September 11th ceremony, it was later announced that she had pneumonia. For several days, several TV crews were camped outside Walgreen’s on King Street and her Old House Lane residence hoping to catch a glimpse of her.  There’s no doubt the media will be back in town on Election Day to secure footage of her and former President Bill Clinton voting at their polling place, Grafflin Elementary School. The good news is that most likely the media presence will be short-lived and will only be palpable when she is in town.

4. Enhanced notice of our downtown merchants. There’s a definite “up side” to all the media exposure. “Seeing Chappaqua’s store fronts on a national TV newscast or in a top daily newspaper is not only thrilling for all of us who live and work here, but it serves as a very effective means for promoting our town and its businesses,” noted Dawn Dankner Rosen, president of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

“I can say that this continuous media interest and focus on the Clintons in our town’s shops and restaurants couldn’t be better for our branding and for creating awareness of Chappaqua as a destination town for shopping and dining. These  opportunities for national (and global!) exposure can only increase exponentially once we become–historically and uniquely–home to two U.S. Presidents! That’s an extremely special identification for any town/community to have!”

5. Warm welcomes from the community when they are back at home. “When Hillary becomes president, I’m sure the duties of her office will keep her in Washington and abroad even more than before. And when the Clintons find themselves back in Chappaqua, they will be warmly welcomed, as they are now,” said Robert Greenstein, Town Supervisor.

Gray Williams the town historian agreed, noting that “the Presidency is an ephemeral thing” lasting eight years at most and that the couple’s White House duties will keep them traveling a lot.

But there’s little doubt that the Clintons will continue to visit and keep annual traditions such as marching in the town’s Memorial Day parade or shopping in town.  “Since moving here both Bill and Hillary Clinton have been wonderful, loyal supporters of our business community and frequent shoppers and diners in town,” added Dankner Rosen. “No matter how many sightings or selfies we’ve all taken, their unexpected shopping trips are always met with unprecedented enthusiasm and excitement throughout the community.”

With Varda Singer, owner, ICD Contemporary Jewelry, during an impromptu party at Crabtree’s Kittle House to celebrate Hillary Clinton’s historic nomination.
With Varda Singer, owner, ICD Contemporary Jewelry, during an impromptu party at Crabtree’s Kittle House to celebrate Hillary Clinton’s historic nomination.

6. Occasional traffic issues/road closures. When Bill Clinton was President, he occasionally used the Westchester Airport. As a security measure, the roads were closed so that his motorcade could pass through.   Chief Ferry of the New Castle Police noted hat the department would help with “traffic flow” and residents can expect that from time to time Hillary may also use the airport.

The police department has put additional funding in the budget for additional officers for next year to help assist with this and Ferry noted that when Bill was President much of this funding was actually reimbursed by the Federal Government. Additionally the police department recently changed Old House Lane and neighboring Green Lane to “local traffic only” streets as a security precaution.

7. A huge impression on our younger residents. The cover story essays in this very edition offer a sense of how Hillary’s “first woman nominee” status has impacted the imagination of younger residents, especially girls,” noted Bennett. “Her influences on all our childrens’ futures is absolutely phenomenal to consider, too. You can never underestimate the ripple effects of a broken glass ceiling!

The Clintons have helped build awareness about national and international issues right in our backyard, among young and old alike. Hillary, in her campaign, is inspiring activism both on her behalf and on a multitude of issues. We might otherwise just be a sleepy suburb in northern Westchester!”

8. A sense of permanence. The recent purchase of the house next door to the Clinton’s current property is ample evidence of a commitment to Chappaqua from the Clintons for the foreseeable future.

News outlets have already speculated that the property will be used as a weekend retreat by Chelsea Clinton and her family.

Memorial Day Parade 2015, Grace Bennett Photo
Memorial Day Parade 2015
Grace Bennett Photo

9. Creating a legacy in our town for years to come. Williams noted that Chappaqua may well be the only town in the US that boasts two Presidents and a third Presidential candidate (Greeley).  Although it is impossible to tell if the Clinton’s home will one day be a museum or if a statue of Hillary will be erected in downtown, “the bottom line for me is that, every bit as much as Horace Greeley became the signature historical hero of our town, I believe the Clintons are forever part of our past, present and future folklore, too. And in the best possible way, summed up Bennett.

Commenting on the possibility of a statue of Hillary, Director of the Chappaqua Library Pamela Thornton said, “I don’t think they  [The Clintons] are the kind who want a statue. I think they’d rather see a community center or teen center named after them as their legacy.”

Williams agreed stating with a chuckle, “I don’t expect a ten-foot statue of Hillary.  I’m not sure exactly where we’d put it.”

Stacey Pfeffer lives with her husband and three young children in Chappaqua. She has written for New York Family Magazine, Kveller.com, Westchester Parents and Inside Armonk.

Filed Under: 2016 DNC Tagged With: Chappaqua, Chappaqua Friends of Hill, Chappaqua library, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, David Buchwald, Dawn Dankner Rosen, First woman nominee, Gray Williams, Greeley Statue, Hillary Clinton, Memorial Day, New Castle, New Castle Police, Robert Greenstein, Two President Town

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