Hudson
Besham E. Burgess, 45, of Hudson was charged with second degree endangering the welfare of a vulnerable physically disabled person, a class E felony, by Hudson Police, March 24. Hudson Police Department detectives received information from the State Police Investigation Unit (BCI) concerning a non-verbal, Coarc enrollee who sustained significant marks and bruising on his face during an evening respite session, March 17.
Detectives completed a thorough investigation and found that Mr. Burgess, who is employed by Coarc as a rehabilitation counselor, became upset with the physically disabled victim and allegedly struck the victim several times in the face causing bruising and swelling.
Mr. Burgess turned himself in at the Hudson Police station and was arraigned before Hudson City Court Judge John Connor. A full stay-away order of protection was issued against Mr. Burgess, who was subsequently released on his own recognizance. He will return to court at a later date.
The State Police—BCI unit, the New York State Justice Center and the District Attorney’s Office assisted HPD in this case.
“This was a difficult case given that the victim was non-verbal. I think our detectives did a superb job putting everything together. This is an unusual incident and should not in any way discredit the many caregivers living and working in our community who do a wonderful job looking after our sick, elderly, or disabled residents,” Hudson Police Chief L. Edward Moore said in a press release.
Kinderhook
Ryan J. Long, 33, of Hudson Falls was charged with drunk driving and fleeing from police, March 11 at 9:56 p.m.
Mr. Long was seen speeding on State Route 9H by Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jason Garvey, who activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop.
Mr. Long allegedly accelerated in an attempt to get away from the officer. Mr. Long turned off of State Route 9H and lost control of his vehicle, which crashed into a guardrail. He was not hurt in the crash but was found to allegedly be intoxicated.
Mr. Long was charged with: reckless driving, an unclassified misdemeanor; driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor; driving with a blood alcohol content greater than .08%, an unclassified misdemeanor; third degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, a class A misdemeanor; speeding and changing lanes, both traffic infractions. He was issued tickets to return to Kinderhook Town Court at a later date.
Copake
The state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Central Dispatch received a request from Columbia County 911 for forest ranger support at a wildfire, March 12 at 10:30 p.m.
County Control called Hillsdale firefighters and the Community Rescue Squad out for a brush fire in the area of 336 North Mountain Road and Millerbrook Road, Copake at 9:35 p.m.
Copake, Craryville, Ancram, Austerlitz, Millerton and Egremont firefighters responded to provide mutual aid.
County Fire Coordinators and Forest Ranger John Gullen also responded. The brush fire was about eight acres in size and fire crews were able to contain it by constructing a fire line with water support. Due to heavy winds, hot spots flared up on the hilltop, extending mop up operations. The fire was declared out and firefighters were clear of the scene, March 13 at 12:30 a.m., according to DEC.
In an effort to reduce the number of spring brush fires, New York State’s residential brush burning ban is in effect through May 14. For more information, go to: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/58519.html
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
•Margaret Klawson, 59, of Germantown was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, an unclassified misdemeanor, following a property damage auto accident on State Route 9 in Greenport, March 19 at 5:38 p.m. Deputy Matthew Leonard was dispatched to a two-car auto accident. He found that Ms. Klawson had allegedly rear-ended another vehicle that was stopped at a red light at Buckley’s Corners. No injuries were reported at the scene. Ms. Klawson was found to allegedly be in an impaired condition. She was issued tickets to appear in Greenport Court at a later date.
To contact Diane Valden emaildvalden@columbiapaper.com.
Impaired drivers taken off highway
LIVINGSTON—State Police in Troop K announce recent numbers of tickets issued and impaired drivers removed from area roadways.
*From 5 p.m. Friday, February 19 through 3 a.m. Monday, February 22, issued 978 vehicle and traffic law violation tickets, 450 tickets for speeding violations, 11 distracted driving violations, 8 child restraint violations, 7 move over violations, and removed 15 impaired motorists.
* From 5 p.m. Friday, February 26 through 3 a.m. Monday, March 1, issued 759 vehicle and traffic law violation tickets, 354 tickets for speeding violations, 9 distracted driving violations, 7 child restraint violations, 5 move over violations, and removed 26 impaired motorists from the roadway.
*From 5 p.m. Friday, March 5 through 3 a.m. Monday, March 8, issued 877 vehicle and traffic law violation tickets, 396 tickets for speeding violations, 6 distracted driving violations, 5 child restraint violations, 29 move over violations, and removed 17 impaired motorists from the roadway.
*From 5 p.m. Friday, March 12 through 3 a.m. Monday, March 15, issued 1040 vehicle and traffic law violation tickets, 576 tickets for speeding violations, 9 distracted driving violations, 5 child restraint violations, 10 move over violations, and removed 22 impaired motorists from the roadway. Troop K includes Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Columbia counties.