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COMMENTS
"); document.write(" unidentifed wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("The stolen plate alarm was generated by NYS DMV Investigations and verified as stolen that night by NYSPIN, New York State Police Information Network. Information on the NYSPIN alarm was verified by the Sheriff's Office. The operator of the truck was aware that there was a problem with the plate, was honest and polite. He was not not issued, tickets (though good have been), arrested nor handcuffed. The plate was confiscated as it should have been last November. The officer who took the plate along with the Chief of Delhi Police contacted NYS DMV Investigations on the following Monday when they opened, (they were closed for the weekend, and had the alarm removed and returned the plate. The operator of the truck later thanked us for not writing tickets. Had the owner of the plate contacted a law enforcement agency in the area when he first became aware of the alarm on his plate, none of this would have happened.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 7, 2009, 8:13 AM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Ralf wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("I've lived in Delhi for over ten years and had my own encounters with the Delhi police. But I never had any bad experiences with them. They always acted professional and even friendly. I would however take commissioner Moon's accusations with a grain of salt...Just my two cent's!");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 5, 2009, 3:40 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Anonymous wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("@Jane Doe:

This story did seem a bit one-sided(as have many in the Star as of late), but 'fabricated' might be going a bit far. The Daily Star prints the names, ages and town of residence for people who have been arrested but not yet convicted; why shouldn't they print a story about police officers accused of inappropriate behavior?

The license plate in question was not stolen. The DMV agreed that it was not stolen. This appears to be a problem with the license plate readers. The state trooper acted appropriately in not issuing a ticket.

The Delhi Village Police Officer, upon hearing that the problem was with the reader and not the plate, could have called the DMV (or the state trooper) to verify that the plate was not stolen. Isn't that how it works with departments that don't have these readers? It wasn't necessary to handcuff the guy, nor to confiscate the plate.

Perhaps now that there is a known problem with the system, officers using these plate readers could take the time to verify that there is an actual problem with the plate and not with the reader prior to taking action.

Law enforcement officials in this area certainly face the potential of placing their lives on the line; fortunately, our violent crime rate is low. We should all appreciate the service that they provide, but recognize that they are not infallible. Most officers are aware that they are subject to the same laws the rest of us are, and that they should be held to the same standards of behavior. Any officer whose beliefs and actions hold themselves above the law shouldn't be in a position to enforce it.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 3, 2009, 8:02 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Anonymous wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("In response to 'anonymous' who attempted to positively spin the situation with deputized DSS employees:

You are correct in that not all DSS employees are also Sheriff's deputies; I believe that the majority of deputized DSS employees work in the Investigations department (possibly one or two in Child Support Collections/Enforcement). It is my understanding that these deputized DSS employees spend most of their time investigating different types of welfare fraud.

DSS receives commendations and awards for reducing the number of people who receive assistance; the manner in which they are removed from these 'welfare rolls' is irrelevant. Since welfare fraud is a crime that is regularly prosecuted, this should be investigated by law enforcement officials who don't have a personal or professional stake in the outcome of these cases; this appears to be a serious conflict of interest.

To my knowledge, none of these employees work in Child Protective Services, which is the department charged with 'investigating unsafe situations for children'. You are correct when you say that DSS employees of other counties sometimes have a law enforcement official escort them. However (and again, to my knowledge) Delaware County DSS generally does not send a single deputized employee into a situation when there is reasonable suspicion of danger; they still bring two(deputized or not), so we are not saving money there, nor 'getting two for the price of one'.

DSS and the Sheriff's Department are two separate institutions. As far as I know, they are employed by each institution, meaning that the cost could actually be greater, particularly if benefits must be offered for each position. Rather than being 'fiscally responsible to us the taxpayers', it may be that this is one black hols that our money sinks into.

Up until a few years ago, Delaware County had a law in place preventing people from holding two paid county positions; things changed while Delaware County DSS Commissioner William Moon held both his DSS position and a position with the then county-owned infirmary (Countryside Care Center). That regulation was in place for a reason. If someone has created positions for which the job description includes working for two separate county institutions, this presents a whole new set of conflicts. From which budget are these employees paid? If there is a problem with these employees, to whom is the complaint made(seems as though it would be fairly easy for one boss to blame the other for giving orders leading to a problem)? Which positions can be held dually? Which can't? Does the Treasurer have to deal with issuing two paychecks for each deputized employee, or with ensuring that funds for each paycheck come from two different accounts?

Another conflict comes about when these deputized employees bring Sheriff's business to the DSS building under the guise of DSS business. Violent criminals(since convicted) have been interrogated at the DSS building about their crimes simply because they happen to also be receiving assistance of some type. Why should regular DSS employees and their clients be exposed to potential danger in the workplace? Why should they be forced to listen to shouting and threats and abuse and details of violent crime while trying to do their jobs or apply for necessary assistance? Why should they be in a situation which makes them potential witnesses? The DSS building is not properly equipped for interviews of this nature, and crimes like this should be handled by more appropriate law enforcement.

Speaking of law enforcement, how many departments do we need for one small town? We are subject to the authority of the Delaware County Sheriff's Department; the State Police; the officers of the NYC Watershed(while within the watershed area); the SUNY Public Safety Officers, and apparently, the police force of the Delaware County DSS. Seems like crime should be zero. Not that it excuses any misbehavior, but is it any wonder if officers of the various police forces become territorial?

How much authority do we really need? What type and how much training have these deputized employees received? For that matter, what type of training has Bill Moon received, if he has command of his 'own law enforcement officials' who carry guns, investigate violent crimes and interrogate potentially dangerous criminals within the DSS offices? How many additional changes to standing laws and policies are flying under the radar to benefit a few?

I'm completely comfortable with Sheriff Tom Mills, the head of the State Police and the Chief of Delhi Police giving orders to people who carry guns. I'm not at all comfortable having the same orders given by the head of the Department of Social Services, NYC or a SUNY President.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 3, 2009, 7:37 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Charles Mazurak wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("I held the position of Code Enforcement Officer recently for four years and then resigned. Most every day I had some working involvement with the Delhi Police Department. I know the above mentioned officers. The accusations against them appear inconsistent and completely out of character with the dedication and professionalism I have always observed with these men and the entire department. For those of you who don't know these officers and the particular situations, please refrain from derogatory judgements. BTW, some of them are retired NYC cops.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 2, 2009, 6:43 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Jeremiah wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("Many years ago I was driving an ambulance into Delhi going to the hospital. My assistant in the back who had little experience, had me stop as the young boy had stopped breathing. A Delhi cop (does this sound familiar) gave me a hard time but I managed to get the boy breathing and on to the hospital. After several hours of talking to the judge, sheriff and others, the cop resigned to take another job. If necessary, send a letter, email or call the judge or anyone necessary to get rid these rats.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 2, 2009, 1:59 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write("Anonymous");document.write("

");document.write("It's really amazing how when people don't know the whole story they start flinging accusations around. The DSS have select officers that are deputized by the Delaware Sheriffs office, only a handful not all. These officers of DSS are allowed to be deputized due to the nature of their work. These are the people going out and serving warrants issued in family court and investigating unsafe situations for children, including child abuse. By being deputized and able to carry weapons they are helping to keep our taxes down and the population they serve safe. In many other counties when DSS workers go out to possible unsafe situations they take a regular deputy off the road to escort them to make sure every thing is OK. Now instead of having to send 2 people (DSS and a Deputy) and take the deputies off the road, (which then are unable to help us when in need)they have someone who handles DSS investigations and issues and when needed are acting as deputies as well. These DSS positions would exist either way deputised or not. The way things are now we're getting 2 for the price of one. I believe DSS and the Current and past Sheriff's should be commended for their solution that is fiscally responsible to us the tax payers.

As for the real issue of this article there is always 2 sides to every issue and the truth is always somewhere in the middle. Unfortunately there always has been and always will be good cops and bad cops. Kudos to those who sent in complaints when they felt they were treated unfairly. Unfortunately if there is no backing from higher ups about those complaints the problem is with the officials we elect to represent us and they don't belong in office if they can not do that unbiasedly. If your not happy with outcomes remember that when election time roles around and get out there and vote accordingly. If you did not vote in the first place you have no room to complain with unhappy outcomes. On the same hand if you feel this is an issue that needs to be addressed why not go to village board meetings and make a suggestion of getting cameras in the police cars to record traffic stops and such this way the actual incident can be called up and appropriate action taken.

The incident with the medical call also really bothers me, I completely and totally understand why law enforcement respond to medical calls. One reason is to provide initial first aid until the ambulance crew can arrive and the second is to look out for the safety of the responding ambulance and crew. At the same time its not right for the officer to make the patient feel uncomfortable. If officers are constantly badgering a patient when they are trying to receive medical attention especially with no law issues, by doing things of that nature people are going to stop calling for help when they really need it. Also with that incident in the DSS building there are many different offices in that county building and 911 has no way of knowing if law enforcement is in that office let alone the building or available to help. If 911 has a protocol to send a Cop to all medical calls in the village then they should send the Delhi cop. If his services are not needed he should step out of the way but wait to see if his help could be needed, but definitely not making the patient feel uncomfortable to the point of being afraid to get in the ambulance.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 2, 2009, 1:38 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Walter S. Farter wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("Why does Delhi even have a police Dept. I think the State Police, and Sheriffs dept could more than amply provide police services to this small town.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 2, 2009, 10:47 AM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Robert Keever wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("The law isnt dictated by how an officer is feeling that day, regardless of what they seem to think. If im wrong, ticket me if not stop harrasing me. Seriously anytime there's a real crime in this area, the police beg for any leads or help they can get. But they can sure hand out a traffic ticket with ease. Thats why i always keep a video camera with me at all times. You wouldnt believe how quickly a trooper changes his tune when he cant lie about violations.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 2, 2009, 7:12 AM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Joe wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("Let's remember that you are only hearing one side of the story which is far from the truth!");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 2, 2009, 2:58 AM"); document.write("
"); document.write("Anonymous");document.write("

");document.write("I used to be a student at SUNY Delhi just last year, and the way some of the police treated me and my friends was unbelievable.Not all of the officers, but the few that did were unbearable! How can ppl like that become police? What makes it worse is it's us, a couple of city kids vs. officers that are SUPPOSED to do the right thing. Rediculous how our system fails to pick up on these things. HOPEFULLY this will be the start of something. Delhi police couldnt take a week in NYC. For real!!");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 2, 2009, 12:59 AM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Jane Doe wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("I think that it is really poor that the readers jump the gun and instantly believe what a person is saying. As a person that lives, sees, and hears things in the Delhi Community, I am ashamed of the people for reporting such a fabricated story. Why is it people can not just tell truth, regardless if they are in the wrong or in the right. If you made a mistake own up to it. These mistakes were made by the offenders, not the Officers. The people that got the tickets are just mad and angry citizens. Looking for something to complain about and looking for any fault in the Officers. Grow up, move on. These Officers defend our community from wrong doing, they put their life on the line on a daily basis. They take drunk drivers off the road, drugs, and any other law breaking person. The Delhi Officers did not make the law, but they are doing their job by up holding it. If you do not want to get into trouble with the law then do not break it. It's that simple. As for the license plate, that person should of turned the plate in and just got a new one. He could of went to the Delhi Police and checked after he spoke to the DMV to make sure that it was not coming up stolen still. But he decided not too. His problem. As for the State Troopers not giving you a ticket right then and there in the first place, that makes me feel that the State Troopers are not doing their jobs.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 1, 2009, 10:15 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Anonymous wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("It seems to me that the 911 call would be considered a request for response, that DSS employees did not believe that 'their own law enforcement officials' were adequate to address the situation (as someone made the 911 call in the first place), and that if an ambulance was required, I doubt that the trained EMTs (employed by DSS to perform functions unrelated to their medical training) bring thir ambulances with them to work.

Any negative behavior on the part of a law enforcement official should be reported, but the motivation behind complaints should also be reviewed. With regard to the complaint by Commissioner Moon, the complaint appears to be more about the fact that the law enforcement offical dared respond to a 911 call at the building than anything else.

One question that should be asked is why Delaware County DSS needs their 'own law enforcement officials', how DSS came to have them and why Commissioner Moon seems to think that their authority should exceed that of the local police. Moon's law enforcement officials are also employed by the Delaware County Sheriff's Department. This presents an interesting conflict, as we apparently have Sheriff's deputies operating under instructions not from the duly elected county Sheriff, but from the Commissioner of the Delaware County Department of Social Services.

We have entrusted local law enforcement operations to the Sheriff, the Chief of our local police departments, and to the state troopers. How did Bill Moon and the Delaware County Department of Social Services insinuate their way into the hierarchy of local law enforcement? Why is this necessary, and why is it allowed? I hope to read the answers to these questions in a respectable piece of investigative journalism in a forthcoming issue of the Daily Star.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 1, 2009, 10:08 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Colleen Church wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("I think that it's about time that the local p.d. is doing something about the crap that goes on in this town. It's about time that we started respecting our officers. Some of these kids and people need to realize that they cannot get away with things anymore. Especially those who think that they are above the law because of who their family is.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 1, 2009, 9:30 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Curious wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("If 911 was called than the officer's presence WAS asked for. I hardly think that the trained EMTs that may work at DSS keep their ambulances in the parking lot. I also find it strange that an agency that is supposed to exist for the purposes of providing services to the poor has 'its own law enforcement officials', and that Moon apparently believes that their authority should exceed that of the official Delhi Village Police. Perhaps we should be asking why Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies (also employed as DSS investigators) are taking their orders from the DSS Commissioner, how this practice came about, and why it is allowed. I don't know about you, but I'd love to read this story in the Daily Star.");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 1, 2009, 7:52 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Walter F. Wouk wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("Give a bully a badge and a gun and you get a bully with a badge and a gun, who will demand that people 'Respect My Authority!'");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 1, 2009, 2:44 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" pat ostrander wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("Just another case of Good Ole Boys better put small town DIRTY COPS..");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 1, 2009, 2:15 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" ted koeppe wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("i would think delhi could pick ,and use more common sense, when these cowboys are put to work , they carry a gun,they think they are god, id love to see them on the nyc force, they would learn real fast, id throw them out, before good people do get hurt. or they get hurt, have a great day , p/s id be walking around with a camcorder,");document.write("

"); document.write(" July 1, 2009, 7:58 AM"); document.write("

");