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Sheriff disputes claim of non-enforcement at Katrina Falls trailhead; residents say parking and safety remain problems
Summary
A resident’s complaints about parking and a nearby car accident at Katrina Falls prompted exchanges between the sheriff and committee members; sheriff’s office described towing and ticketing operations, while residents and a legislator urged follow-up and data verification.
Residents and county officials clashed over enforcement at the Katrina Falls trailhead and nearby public-access sites during the Public Safety Committee meeting in Monticello.
A local resident had told the Legislature at a prior meeting that no enforcement was taking place after large crowds began visiting a newly publicized trailhead. The sheriff’s office disputed that account during the committee meeting, saying enforcement and towing were in place when vehicles blocked emergency access.
“If cars are parked on the road, they get towed because we can't have it blocked for emergency vehicles to go down there,” the sheriff said, describing weekend ranger and county enforcement efforts at the site. He added that the DEC (the state Department of Environmental Conservation) had forest rangers present during weekends and that the town had posted additional signs and some overflow parking, though visitors often did not use the off-site lots.
A legislator who followed up on the resident’s claims said committee staff verified facts such as how many vehicles were towed and whether state police were present during incidents. That legislator said follow-up calls to the undersheriff and other agencies were made to corroborate the account provided at the earlier meeting.
Committee discussion acknowledged both sides: a member argued the resident’s remarks reflected frustration after a nearby car accident and urged care when characterizing public comment as misinformation; the sheriff responded that misleading statements were unfair if they ignored the documented enforcement he observed.
The committee did not take formal action on the Katrina Falls matter beyond the discussion and the assurance of follow-up; staff indicated they would continue to gather data and coordinate with state and town authorities.
Background: The transcript shows the sheriff reporting roughly 1,000 square miles in county patrol responsibility and noting similar overflow and litter problems at other summer access points, including a fishing access at Claryville tied to spillover visitation from a nearby site across the Ulster County line.
