By DIANE VALDEN
KINDERHOOK—Officials at the Ichabod Crane High School alerted School Resource Deputy Brian McSween that a threat was made against the school October 26 at 9:39 a.m., according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff Donald Krapf.
High School Principal Craig Schull told Deputy McSween that a person, who identified herself as Lori Costanzo, had contacted the school by telephone and allegedly made threats against it.
As a precaution, all Ichabod Crane Schools went into a lock out procedure at 9:57 a.m. and additional deputies were ordered to go to the schools. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Branch responded to the high school.
Ms. Costanzo was quickly located by Sheriff’s Office personnel at her residence in the Town of Kinderhook. She was detained and taken to the Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. The Ichabod Crane School lifted the lock out 10:58 a.m. and resumed a normal schedule.
Ms. Costanzo, 53, was arrested for the NYS Penal Law violation of making a terroristic threat (class D felony) and for aggravated harassment (class A misdemeanor). She was arraigned before Justice Barry Sack in Greenport Court and was released on her own recognizance. She was due back in court at a later date. The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office assisted with this investigation.
Greenport
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Dave Christian, Jr., 26, of Greenport for possessing drugs, October 25 at 11:29 a.m., according to a press release from Sheriff Donald Krapf.
Deputies first encountered Mr. Christian on Joslen Boulevard when he was operating a green 2021 Dodge Charger that did not have a front license plate. When Deputy Kolby Clegg attempted to stop the vehicle that Mr. Christian was operating, Mr. Christian fled at a high rate of speed. Deputies stopped the pursuit because Mr. Christian was driving south on Fairview Avenue at a high rate of speed and placing the public at risk.
Deputy Zachary Sohotra located the vehicle parked in the Columbia Plaza. Mr. Christian was located a short time later and taken into custody. He was found to be in possession of 40 Ecstasy pills and 49 Alprazolam (Xanax) pills.
He was charged with third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony; seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor; unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, a class A misdemeanor and the following unclassified misdemeanors of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reckless driving and many additional uniform traffic tickets.
He was arraigned before Greenport Town Justice John Porreca and was released on his recognizance, due to return to court November 6.
Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Drug Education and Enforcement Unit and the Criminal Investigations Branch assisted in the arrest.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
Sheriff rolls out ‘Wheels of Justice’ program
GREENPORT—Sheriff Donald J. Krapf announced a new Sheriff’s Office program called “Wheels of Justice.”
The new program will teach incarcerated individuals the fundamentals of bicycle maintenance; including how to change tires, brakes, chains and to make sure the bicycle is sound enough to be roadworthy.
Sheriff Krapf developed this program to give incarcerated individuals the chance to learn a new skill that they will be able to bring back to the community upon their release, according to a press release.
During the summer, the sheriff asked the community for donations of bicycles for this new program and the community responded in a substantial way. Bikes by the dozens have been delivered to the Sheriff’s Office and are just waiting to be fixed and then donated to those in need.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Berkshire Bike and Board on Healy Boulevard for this worthy cause. The shop has given their time to train a staff member of the Sheriff’s Office so they in turn can teach the incarcerated individuals the basics of bicycle maintenance.
“Keep a look out; you might see a bicycle you donated enjoying a second life with someone who would’ve been without had it not been for your donation!” Sheriff Krapf said in the release. For more information on Berkshire Bike and Board visit www.berkshirebikeandboard.com.
Change clocks, check batteries
GHENT—As New Yorkers prepare to set their clocks back an hour for the end of Daylight Saving Time, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) urges all New Yorkers to check the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Alarms with removable batteries should have their batteries replaced, those with alarms that have sealed-in batteries should ensure all alarms are functioning, and any detector over 10 years old should be replaced.
Working smoke alarms could make the difference between life and death in a home fire. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, the risk of dying in a home without working smoke detectors is 55% higher than in a home with fully-functioning alarms. Additionally, three of every five home fire deaths are in residences without working smoke alarms.
In 2019, New York State enacted legislation that required all new smoke detectors sold to contain 10-year, non-removable batteries that discourage tampering. If you’re not sure when you last replaced the batteries or bought a smoke alarm, FASNY encourages purchasing a new one.
When New York State enacted the state’s first smoke alarm laws in 1961, fire-related deaths fell by half. However, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, New York State currently leads the nation in residential fire deaths as we head into the colder months. This time of year typically brings an uptick in home fires due to issues with home heating equipment, portable space heaters, cooking, smoking, unattended open flames, holiday decorations and winter storms. FASNY wants to remind New Yorkers to be vigilant and follow home safety advice to prevent accidents during this fall/winter season.
Smoke alarms provide critical minutes to escape the home in an emergency. Another vital tool is a carbon monoxide detector, which can warn of a silent but deadly gas build-up in the home. As the weather gets colder and snow begins to fall, New Yorkers should conduct a home safety check to ensure that CO detectors are functioning.
Safety tips provided by FASNY and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
●Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing smoke alarms and replacing the batteries
●Vacuum or blow out any dust that might accumulate in the unit
●Never borrow a battery from an alarm to use somewhere else
●Never paint a smoke or CO alarm
●Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home, including the basement and in or near each sleeping area
●Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window because drafts could interfere with their operation
●In conjunction with alarms, families should also develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
