Mamaroneck police report: calls top 7,700; department secures $75,000 training grant

Chief Paul Crihaso presented the police department’s activity report for Jan. 1–Sept. 30, 2024, telling the board the department handled 7,733 calls for service, including 159 criminal cases, 151 motor‑vehicle accidents and 464 medical‑service calls. He said identity theft and check fraud continue to account for “the majority of our criminal complaints” and urged residents to safeguard personal information.

Crihaso highlighted training and community outreach: department personnel completed annual firearms qualification, legal‑update and use‑of‑force training, de‑escalation training and active‑shooter response practice; officers participated in school events and community programs such as Coffee with a Cop and the law enforcement torch run that benefits Special Olympics.

The chief announced the department has secured a $75,000 grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to help implement virtual‑reality scenario training. The grant is intended to provide ongoing scenario training throughout the year and to support supervisor and instructor development tied to the state accreditation process.

Board members asked about local burglary trends and a repetitive crash location on Boston Post Road. Crihaso said burglaries that had earlier involved transitory groups have subsided recently, and he noted several crashes at the Post Road site share weather and speed as possible contributing factors; he recommended having a highway engineer evaluate the location when feasible and said the department will resume selective enforcement in problem areas.