Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Brookhaven fire and police report busy January; department trainings, mutual aid noted
Loading...
Summary
Fire and EMS reported 60 calls in January with five building fires and an estimated $305,300 in losses; police reported 651 calls for service in January, two motor-vehicle thefts, and continued school-bus stop-arm enforcement with 16 violations in January.
Chief Montelai reported the Caveman Fire Company answered 60 calls in January 2026, including five building fires and multiple mutual-aid responses. Montelai provided damage estimates of $215,000 in structure loss and $90,300 in contents loss for a $305,300 total loss figure and said a heavy basement fire at 3702 Mount Vernon Avenue is under investigation by the borough fire marshal. "We had a busy month," he said, and described training and community service activities involving firefighters and EMS personnel.
Montelai also gave EMS figures: "We had 132 people transported to hospital," and he detailed the ALS/BLS dispatch breakdown and total ambulance calls for the month.
Chief Haddock reported on police activity: "For the month of January 2026, the officers of the police department initiated or were assigned a total of 651 calls for service," including thefts, two auto-thefts and various crashes and alarms. Haddock noted two motor-vehicle theft investigations (a motorcycle and a Honda Accord, the latter recovered within about 48 hours) and described solicitor-permit enforcement that produced citations for repeat offenders.
On school-bus stop-arm enforcement, Haddock explained the camera-workflow and civil-fine process: the bus camera records video and a plate photo that generates a $300 civil notice mailed to the owner; fines do not carry motor-vehicle license points, and a portion of revenue is shared with the school district and a safety fund. Haddock also told council the police department is scheduled for reaccreditation evaluation in February and expected assessors to conduct station reviews and short ride-alongs.
Council asked clarifying questions about evidence-gathering for stop-arm violations and revenue allocation; Haddock answered that the camera system captures both video and a plate image and that fines are civil. Both department chiefs and council thanked staff and volunteers for winter response during the recent snowstorm.
