Things To Do This Weekend & Beyond | Retail & Foodie Therapy Guide 6/11/2021
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Moraya Seeger DeGeare Reflects On Black Joy Felt From Matcha Thomas - Code Switch Relaxed
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Editor’s Note: After ALBB began producing the first review of Matcha Thomas in a more traditional format, one reader was too excited not to write about Matcha Thomas after going there more than a few times, and especially after experiencing with a friend. She reached out to ALBB asking if she could write about her experience. We encouraged her to lean in, and looked forward to what she wrote. Below please find a review from an experience point of view of Matcha Thomas by Moraya Seeger DeGeare.
Written By Moraya Seeger DeGeare
I want to share with you a moment in time on Main Street. The Black joy that was created as the paths crossed of Black folx all converging in a search of delicately delicious Matcha, to pull up to support Black female business owners. I think a deeper thirst was quenched by having a moment of belonging as we spoke, our unique expressions of Blackness only gave us each deeper connection, instead of divide. If only for a few glorious minutes, instead of feeling othered, we found a place that welcomed us as essential as the air.
“Does she have Celiac also? Seeing gluten free Back folk always excites me. Food allergy people, you know what I’m talking about. ”
I both want to share my rainy afternoon with you and keep it hidden to protect it. I don’t want someone else’s opinion to spoil it. How do you capture Black joy in the written word? Probably the same way you put sunshine in a bottle...You can’t. I can’t capture it because the joy of today was in the simplicity. We are just existing out here having tea nestled between a Black barbershop and gentrification - expensive condos.
I walked down Main Street in Beacon, NY into Matcha Thomas, my five year old hopping, a wiggly, tired baby on my hip, and a dear friend slightly twirling in a purple, iridescent, rain poncho they just got from a new thrift store in town. We awkwardly hold up traffic as we make our way in and start reading the menu aloud. The Black woman who enters with us double checks that everything is gluten free. This is the first moment in my mind when I multi-task talking to my kid and acknowledging my people, a little tingle as I glance around. Does she have Celiac also? Seeing gluten free Back folk always excites me. Food allergy people, you know what I’m talking about.
As we take up space and order, we laugh with these Black women. Our laughter expands and yet that feeling of are we being TOO much never comes. I feel my body brace for the discomfort to happen anyway. It doesn’t. I’m okay. It’s the alertness I always carry for when I need to code switch to be safe, for when I need to tell my Black child to come closer instead of being curious. My brain starts to say that’s not needed here and part of my body doesn’t know what to do with this relaxed feeling. The woman who walked in with us smiles with their eyes behind the mask and shares, “as I was walking behind you down the street, I was like ‘are they going where I’m going?’”
I know those words sound simple, but it was the way she said it. It was the is this happy group of Black humans and giggle kids headed into the same direction as me? As we meet this wonderful, intuitive astrologer and tarot card reader, the energy and excitement only goes up. We laugh. My friend invites her to Beacon’s Juneteenth celebration, saying, “we are having a celebration of Black joy, will you come?” Business cards are exchanged. Yes, let’s gather community and organize on Black joy, not just Black pain and murder. I don’t want to trauma bond. I want to celebrate your existence.
“As we take up space and order, we laugh with these Black women. Our laughter expands and yet that feeling of are we being TOO much never comes. I feel my body brace for the discomfort to happen anyway. It doesn’t. I’m okay. It’s the alertness I always carry for when I need to code switch to be safe, for when I need to tell my Black child to come closer instead of being curious. ”
As we sit outside at an adorable green table and try all the new treats, moment after moment like this roll in with abundance. I turn to my friend genuinely curious: “Is this normal for you? The continual deep connection to strangers?”
We meet Black moms who quickly tell us their stories as they run to get kids from t-ball, about moving to Africa, IG handles are exchanged for future hiking playdates with our Brown children.
It’s not just that I saw the likeness of me reflected here. It’s that I truly, genuinely made new friends even if we connected for just a few moments. I also chuckle now because in the moment it doesn’t cross my mind that who Justice McCray and I are probably does impact the magic that is happening, not just our Blackness. We both love collecting people’s stories: I’m a therapist and Justice is many things including organizer, future city council member, writer, and storyteller. I’m sure our craving for understanding and healing the world around us added to how we befriended strangers, I know it adds to our friendship.
I grew up in Beacon, born at home in a cabin on the mountain my grandparents built in the 50’s. My parents met on the school bus in elementary school. My father, a high school basketball star. Beacon is a town that has had mixed families and kids growing up here for generations. That’s important. My Black grandmother was an artist and worked at Talix (what is now that big building with the Black fist and Pride flag currently). I say this tiny bit of history to say, this is my home town and yet what happened today I had not experienced here before as an adult raising a family here.
Growing up appreciating the closeness and connectedness of small town life, I spent much of my childhood with my grandparents. Grandparents that everyone knew: The Seegers. My childhood experience in Beacon was that everyone knows your family and says hi to you in the Post Office. I think many kids who grew up here would actually say the same, as you walk around town someone knows you or your aunt and they have an eye out for you. For me it was often my proximity to whiteness, to fame that would have someone saying hello. Today at Matcha Thomas, it was my Blackness.
The week before, I read an Instagram Story that Katie from A Little Beacon Blog posted saying, ”an MTA media relations spokesperson I’m speaking with while researching an MTA Police story, who lives in NYC and has visited Beacon as a tourist, responded to my mention of BLM protest marches: ‘There is a Black community in Beacon?’ I didn’t know how to respond execpt by saying ‘Of course there is a Black community here!’”
It truly gave me pause. Wow, this town that was historically, beautifully rich in diversity. I would say Beacon was even known as a Black town, especially compared to the nearby sundown town of Cold Spring. Now it’s known as a place Black people don’t exist? It made my whole body tense. Am I no longer welcome here? Is this not a place for my Brown children?
“For me it was often my proximity to whiteness, to fame that would have someone saying hello. Today at Matcha Thomas, it was my Blackness. ”
So to have this moment of pure joy of Black people just existing and living and clearly craving more connection to each other, I could not help but smile, breathe deeper, even laugh. As I sipped my Mango matcha boba, Brown baby nibbling a cookie, I watched with a deep appreciation as this friend, a queer non-binary Black human talks Juneteenth, Black joy, and running for city council. My 5 year old tucked next to them listening, experiencing the happiness of Blackness in community. It was this moment that I wish was captured on film, so I can go back and savor it.
The owners of Matcha Thomas have intentionally cleansed and called in a deep healing energy. They have cultivated a space that in the most delicious way gives room to celebrate the intersectionality of humans. I inhaled it instantly as I walked in the door.
Later that evening, we strolled down Main Street, my baby now snuggled in a carrier on my back waving and saying hi to folx as we passed. The rain started to mist down on us and my 5 year old son quietly catches raindrops on his face…
Singin' brown skin girl.
Your skin just like pearls.
The best thing in the world.
I never trade you for anybody else.
A Family-Owned, Black-Owned, Vegan And Gluten-Free Wellness Teahouse Opens With A Give-Back Board: Matcha Thomas
/Written by Teslie Andrade
New Matcha Cafe In Town!
Matcha Thomas officially opened their doors on May 21, 2021, for a soft launch featuring iced, creamy matcha lattes, strawberry milk matcha boba, and an assortment of treats (all 100% vegan & gluten-free). Those building their Beacon Business Trivia card deck will remember that this used to be the catering space of Homespun, the cafe of which remains across the street.
How Matcha Thomas Came To Be
Photo credit: MatCHA Thomas
”WE'RE THE "THOMAS" TO OUR "MATCHA"!”
The owners, the Thomas family of 4, have dreamt of this day for as long as they could remember. As avid matcha lovers, they would go around different towns to visit cafes, trying as many different matchas as they could. The 2 daughters, Haile and Nia, even created the concept of Matcha Thomas as a joke on Instagram sharing the matchas they would try. It was the one day that Haile and Nia decided to make their own matcha latte at home and thought “Wow…” Then, the planning for the storefront for Matcha Thomas began!
The Thomas family lives right by Woodbury, NY - where they have been for 5 years after moving from Arizona. They travel about 30 minutes to Beacon simply because they love Beacon so much! “When we first came to Beacon, we just fell in love and thought ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a shop down here?’” said Haile and Nia.
Well, all it took was one evening of picking up dinner on Main Street during the pandemic and spotting a “For Rent” sign at 259 Main Street. As an entrepreneurial family, the planning and collaboration was a success and Matcha Thomas is up & running with many people bustling in and out saying, “We saw what you posted on Instagram today and we want it.”
Why Vegan & Gluten-Free?
“We chose vegan because our entire family is Vegan. We have been for 7 years. It’s been a journey for sure,” said Haile. “After going through health issues with my dad, we all decided on a plant-based diet. With this, we also want to contribute to the world - the ethical & environmental side. Being Vegan and wanting to contribute to the world is also fun. It’s a space where you can be creative.”
Treats are made each morning and recipes are created right at their home. In fact, the delicious brownie recipe was created one night when Haile and Nia wanted brownies but didn’t want to search for a recipe and decided to whip up their own batter! Gluten-free flour/almond flour are used as substitutes for all-purpose flour, and sweeteners are refined sugar-free - coconut sugar, maple syrup, etc. “There’s just so much you can do”, said Haile.
You can also stop in and sample two different teas! The teas are brewed each morning in 9.5 Alkaline Kangen Water for maximum flavor extraction and nutrient absorption. Read more about alkaline here!
What Is the “Matcha For The People” Wall?
“The wall was inspired by the fact that we felt we had space where we could potentially offer an opportunity for people to tap into kindness and really acknowledge and affirm the people around us that make the world go round.”
How Does the “Matcha For The People” Wall Work?
“Basically,” explains Haile, “you come in and buy X for a person (someone struggling with mental health, having a bad day, a single parent, or whoever!) and write it on a sticky note and stick it to our wall. A person who comes in and identifies with a sticky note on the wall can then redeem it and get something free that was paid for by someone else.”
Good Vibes All Around!
When you walk in, a cinnamon scent will envelop you, which immediately makes your heart happy and your taste buds yearn. Matcha Thomas is a minimalist cafe with beautiful fiddle leaf figs in the window and a selenite crystal located on your way out. It’s the little things! The selenite crystal known for having the ability to purify energy - whether you believe in it or not - it feels like a good thing.
Both Haile and Nia lean into the selenite crystal, explaining: “Adding the selenite crystal was an idea from an amazing woman who owns a spiritual shop in Chester, NY. She came in and helped us assess the energy in our space and shared the idea of the stone with us. We loved it!”
The energy in Matcha Thomas is magic.
Pictured: Matcha Thomas - the signature latte! Recipe is a plant milk of your choice (oat, almond, or hemp) blended w/ premium ceremonial-grade matcha and coconut vanilla cream base. It is GOOD.
When Faced With The Choice Of Just One Drink, What Does Matcha Thomas Recommend?
“It depends! If you want a classic experience, definitely our signature Matcha Thomas. If you want to have some fun, any of our boba drinks!”
Always ask for recommendations if you’re torn! Haile and Nia are guaranteed to pick something delicious for you depending on your mood. As a first-timer, I wanted to try one of everything but was eager to try the Matcha Thomas Signature Latte. If I could describe it in three words, it would be, rich, creamy, and decadent. But not so rich that it was heavy. It is a light, creamy feel - a MUST try! Part of what creates the creamy sensation in the non-dairy latte is the matcha green tea itself. Known as a Japanese plant, the green tea leaf is crushed into a powder.
The Matcha Thomas Instagram is run by Haile Thomas who has been in an influencer space for years. Check out their photos but be prepared to drool!
Registration Open For Teen Podcast Workshop - From Howland Public Library and I Am Beacon
/WHAT: This is Beacon: Youth Podcast Workshop
HOSTS: Howland Public Library and I Am Beacon
LOCATION: Beacon Recreation, 23 West Center Street
DATES: 4 Fridays, July 9, 16, 23, 30, from 4:30-6pm
AGES: Grades 7 -12
Registration required
email Michelle at community@beaconlibrary.org
The Howland Public Library has partnered with I Am Beacon to offer another podcast workshop. The producers behind the podcast workshop are I Am Beacon Board Member Brandon Lillard, who works with kids of all ages to teach them how to produce a podcast.
From The Howland Public Library
Calling all teens! Speak Out and Be Heard! Did you ever wonder what it takes to create your own podcast? The Howland Public Library in Beacon has teamed up with Brandon Lillard, host of the ”This is Beacon” podcast for a 4-session podcast workshop for students in grade 7 and up.
In this cooperative learning experience, participants will learn by doing. Students will discover what it takes to produce their own podcast from start to finish, from writing scripts and conducting interviews to adding music and editing.
The This is Beacon: Youth Podcast Program is mentorship program that will provides teens the opportunity to explore of topics relevant to the challenges that they are facing and create and share their work with an audience as they learn about communicating through electronic media.
The free workshop will take place on 4 Fridays, July 9, 16, 23, 30, from 4:30-6pm at Beacon Recreation’s outdoor pavilion, 23 West Center Street, Beacon, NY. . To register or to learn more about this great opportunity, email Michelle at community@beaconlibrary.org. Registration is required as class size is limited.
HIRING! Homespun Foods is looking for a Sous-Chef
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Homespun Foods is looking for a Sous-Chef (preferably with pastry experience)
Key Duties
Team Player with experience
Reliable with great attention to detail
Positive attitude
Ability to teach & help lead a crew
How To Apply:
Email joe@homespunfoods.com
Beacon Schools Agree With NY State That Kids Can Remove Masks Outside On Campuses - CDC Doesn't Object
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The notification that kids could live mask-off lives outdoors during the final blazing hot school days came as jubilation to some parents and kids, and hesitation to others. As of today, June 7, 2021, New York State has issued guidance that kids do not need to wear masks outdoors while at school or camp, and that the decision is up to school districts.
Immediately following that guidance, Beacon’s School Superintendent, Dr. Landahl, issued an email to district families, stating that: “Effective immediately, the Beacon City School District will no longer require that masks be worn outdoors on our campus, for all individuals.”
The bringing down of the mask, after heavy conditioning to wear the mask during the height of the pandemic last spring (if you need a refresher on if mask-wearing is effective, read this from UCSF), has left some people anxious at first. Coupled with the fact that the guidance issued by the state has been erratic of late. Others are relieved to have the masks off outside on campus.
One thing is for sure: mask enforcement at recess is one less thing teachers need to worry about.
A May 19th New Mask Up Decision For Kids Ages 2-5, With An Immediate Reversal
Late in May, for kids ages 2-5, Governor Cuomo announced that the children needed to wear face masks at day cares. This was new guidance that young kids did not need to adhere to in the height of the pandemic last year at this time. Backlash resulted from day care owners, and on May 24, New York State reversed its new requirement.
Then On June 4th, NY State Seeks More Mask Down Measures
On June 4th, the New York State Department of Health wrote a letter to the CDC, requesting that mask policy for camps align with schools, so that kids had the option of not wearing a mask outdoors at school, as they are allowed to do at camps in the outdoors. The letter was written by Commissioner Howard A. Zucker, M.D., J.D. and Executive Deputy Commissioner Lisa J. Pino, M.A., J.D..
Immediately after the letter was sent, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro issued a statement championing the letter: “I’m happy New York State has seen what counties have known for months: The science has repeatedly shown there is little to no transmission of the virus in school settings. Today’s announcement, though long overdue, is further evidence the COVID-19 emergency has receded, and Dutchess County continues to encourage residents to choose to get vaccinated and we take steps to get back to living our lives fully!”
However, part of why transmission in schools has been so minimal is because of the amount of safety measures put into place, like wearing masks, social distancing, outside classes, no singing in music classes, eating lunch in classrooms vs the cafeteria, etc. During Beacon’s school year, most of the positive cases of students came from home or if an individual had already been isolating.
Beacon’s Dr. Landahl, who has worked with BSCD staff and the community to design safe practices in the schools to keep them open, issued a more cautious statement to families on June 4, asking for their patience as New York State made their final decision: “The proposal in the letter would waive the requirement to wear masks outside and only strongly encourage adults and children to wear them inside. NYDOH would like to make this change effective Monday, June 7th.”
A portion of the proposal from New York State Department of Health includes these points:
“The current CDC guidance for K-12 schools recommends a requirement for “consistent and correct use of well-fitting face masks with proper filtration by all students, teachers, and staff”. There is no distinction between mask wearing for indoor versus outdoor activities (except for a vague reference to sports) and it does not address vaccinated individuals.”
“On the other hand, current CDC guidance for youth camps “strongly encourages mask use indoors for people who are not fully vaccinated” while stating that outdoors, “people do not need to wear masks [irrespective of vaccination status]” although people who are not fully vaccinated are “encouraged” to wear a mask in certain higher-risk circumstances. In addition, it says “people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks” both indoors and outdoors.”
The proposal then goes on the outline how New York State would like to operate, which included masks off outside, and recommended masks for inside, but not required. In the end, after hearing from the CDC, the Governor issued guidance for masks off outside, and no-change for inside.
On June 7th, Masks Down When Outside Optional For All New York School District Campuses
On Monday (June 7th) during a press conference, Governor Cuomo announced that school districts can choose to lift the requirement that their students must wear masks outdoors. Guidance on mask use indoors remains in place. “This change aligns New York State's guidance on schools with CDC guidance on summer camps, where even unvaccinated students are not currently required to wear masks outdoors,” the state’s press release page states.
Said Governor Cuomo in his 6/7/2021 announcement: “The numbers show that the risk of transmission by children is extremely low, especially in this state, which has an extremely low positivity rate. We spoke with the CDC, and since they're not going to change their guidance for several weeks in New York State, we're going to modify the CDC guidance and allow schools to choose no mask outside for children," Governor Cuomo said. "We'll leave that up to the local school district and we spoke to the CDC, which has no objection. It's very important that people understand the logic between these decisions and that they're rational and based on the science and the data. We have a disconnect right now between the school guidance and the camp guidance, and it's important to rectify it because if people don't think the rules are logical, then they're not going to want to follow the rules."
Earlier in the pandemic, children were said to be silent spreaders of COVID-19, as they often went asymptomatic, or showed little or no symptoms.
The night before the Governor’s press conference on 6/6/2021, County Executive Molinaro issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s announcement made the following day. Said Molinaro: “New York intentionally misled people causing unnecessary confusion, conflict, and chaos. The State must end the confusion and restore local authority. This decision should be put in the hands parents who know their children and circumstances best.”
Beacon City School District Follows CDC and New York State With Masks Off Outside
Once New York State issued the guidance, Dr. Landahl communicated with families immediately after with his final decision for the district: “The Governor has lifted the requirement to wear masks outdoors on school campuses, coming in line with broader state guidance regarding masks in outdoor settings…Effective immediately, the Beacon City School District will no longer require that masks be worn outdoors on our campus, for all individuals. As a reminder, as the heat levels increase, we will continue to provide students with mask breaks and encourage students to lower masks to drink water while in classrooms. Thanks for your patience through this process. We will continue to update you if anything else changes.”
One 9-year old stated: “Maybe we will get to sing in Music Class soon.”
To be continued…
Weekend Guide Roundup For Beacon & Beyond | Retail Therapy | 6/4/2021
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Meyer's Olde Dutch (MOD) Opens After Planned Renovation - Patio! - New Order-From-Table App!
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Meyers Olde Dutch Owner/Chef Brian Arfnoff, standing in front of his newly renovated restaurant.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Meyers Olde Dutch, your favorite burger shop for beef and vegan burgers, has been seemingly closed during much of the pandemic (spoiler alert: it was open the whole time). Some saw the boarded up windows and assumed the worst - fire. Others saw the boards and assumed the whole place was closed. Not so! Die-hard fans read the sign out front and knew that MOD set up shop at their sister restaurant down the street, Kitchen Sink, never skipping a beat flipping those burgers and dirtying those fries.
Was the renovation planned? Was the pandemic the perfect time to break ground? Yes and yes, as we discovered in our interview with Owner/Chef Brian Arnoff, who bought the little building in 2017 from the prior burger joint owner, Paul Yeaple of Poppy’s.
As did all restaurants in Beacon and the nation, Brian worked hard to figure out new ways to keep serving customers using an order-by-table app so customers can dial in their food/drink order straight to the kitchen/bar, keep his staff employed, keep live music every now and then, and keep the air healthy for when the doors could open again to the public.
We love hearing stories from the people themselves, so read how Brian tells it below:
ALBB: After you bought the building in 2017, had you always considered renovating it?
The new HVAC unit to improve air quality when the doors and windows are closed, lifted in before the big opening.
Photo Credit: Meyers Olde Dutch
Yes. There were a number of issues with the building that always needed to be addressed, like a leaky roof and very outdated/undersized HVAC system among other problems.
ALBB: Did the pandemic shutdown push you over the edge to take the time to dig into the renovation?
“Basically yes. We had been working on the plans, which went though several iterations for a while. As you know, going through the Planning Board process takes time especially when you’re in the Historic District and need variances. After the initial shock of COVID-19 passed, it started to become clear this was basically an ideal time to try and complete this renovation.”
The new covered patio and fan at Meyers Olde Dutch, a COVID-friendly improvement made during the pandemic.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
ALBB: What improvements did you make to make it COVID-friendlier?
“We updated our HVAC system with Merv-13 filtration. The system turns the air over more often and filters significantly more of the particles COVID-19 is known to float on. Additionally, we added some windows that can be opened for more fresh air, and covered our patio to give guests the option to sit outside all the time.”
ALBB: Were you able to retain some of your staff team?
“I’m very lucky to say yes! We have many staff who have been with Meyer’s Olde Dutch for a long time, including our kitchen manager Adam and bar manager Jesse, both of whom started at Kitchen Sink before MOD even existed, as well as Emily our lead bartender who has been with us at MOD since basically the first month we were open back in 2017, among many other staff.”
ALBB: What did you grow appreciative of during the pandemic shutdown?
“My time. I started working for myself in November of 2010 when I opened a food truck in DC and haven’t had a lot of down time since. The pandemic definitely gave me a different perspective on that and how I want to ‘protect’ my time and use it wisely.”
ALBB: Did any new offering emerge from the pandemic shutdown when you were in survival mode?
“Delivery for one. But also an increased focus on making new specials at MOD because we wanted to keep the menu fresh for our local customers who were so supportive during COVID.”
ALBB: What has been a huge struggle during the shutdown?
“Obviously there were many struggles, and those changed over time, but the energy at times enforcing masking last summer was really tough. No hospitality-minded person wants to constantly tell their customers to do things, and then occasionally have to fight with them about it. That was hard on our staff.”
ALBB: We are hearing from other restaurants that there have been struggles with 3rd party apps and delivery. What do you want people know about delivery? As convenient as it is, there are a lot of people involved from the ordering of the food, to the delivery, and the problems are aren’t always coming from the restaurant. What struggles have you faced there?
“So many things! Every restaurant has a different story and perspective on this, as we all used and did different things. Overall, I would just say, if you can avoid ordering through a third party app and instead order direct through the restaurant’s website, that is the most helpful/supportive thing the general public can do. Also, get vaccinated and just go sit at restaurants because more than anything, hospitality people want to have your real life presence back in the restaurant.”
ALBB: There was recently a report on Marketplace that one of the ways restaurants streamlined to survive was to introduce ordering-by-table, where a unique QR code is placed on the table, and a person can scan it with their camera app, and the menu pops up - for their table only. The customer can order a cocktail, beer or burger without telling a server, but the server brings it out and makes sure it’s OK. I see you have unique QR codes on your tables - how has this been going?
“Good! It cuts down on the wait time for the customer a lot. I was bar-tending the other night, and people who were outside were able to order drinks without me having to leave the bar to check on them. People are basically opening tabs for themselves. If they are in a group at one table, each person can open their own tab, and pay down when they are done.”
ALBB: Genius! This solves the problem of splitting the check 10 different ways!
“Yes (Brian laughs sheepishly). It’s all so new, we as staff aren’t used to guiding people to use it. But it is going well!”
Photos of the New MOD:
Editorial Note: Meyers Olde Dutch is an advertising client of ALBB, and a branding client of Katie James Inc. This article was produced independently of that partnership.
Rental Application Assistance (Ayuda) Offered By Community Action For NY State Emergency Rental Assistance Program
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The flyer for assistance with rental relief distributed by Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County in English.
June 1, 2021 was the first day that the Emergency Rental Assistance Program opened in New York State. Money is on the table to help those who meet income thresholds, and within the order of priorities. Getting that money can be confusing, as you wade your way through applications. Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County, with an office on Main Street in Beacon, says they are here to help. Their Beacon office is on 10 Eliza Street, which is in the Rite Aid parking lot behind Antalek and Moore Insurance.
To help you apply: call Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County at 845-452-5104 or email info@dutchesscap.org. You can also visit www.dutchesscap.org and click “Apply for Services.”
How Community Action Helps With The Application:
The flyer for assistance with rental relief distributed by Community Action Partnership For Dutchess County in Spanish.
We asked Samantha Riley, Director of Family Resources for Community Action, to walk us through how Community Action helps with the applicaation process, and what kind of issues people have come up against. Here’s what she told us:
“We are available to help screen for eligibility and to assist with families with applying for the program. This looks different for every person depending on their ability. The application must be completed online by both the tenant and landlord. Some families just need to be talked through the process and can apply on their own, and others can’t do it on their own for various reasons.”
Samantha continued: “Our first priority for assisting families with applying is to assist those who do not have internet access at home. For those families, if they just need access to a computer we have a computer at each of our locations for the public to use. If families need help filling out the application, we can assist them 1:1 either in person or over the phone; preferably by appointment.
“The required Documents need to be uploaded to the online application. We mostly right now are getting calls about families needing help with that process, which we can help with.”
To help you apply: call Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County at 845-452-5104 or email info@dutchesscap.org. You can also visit www.dutchesscap.org and click “Apply for Services.”
About New York State Emergency Renal Assistance Program (ERAP)
The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance, and utility arrears assistance.
Eligibility
New York residents are eligible for ERAP if they meet all of the following criteria:
Household gross income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). These income limits differ by county and household size. A household may qualify based on current income or calendar year 2020 income that is at or below 80 percent AMI.
On or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The applicant is obligated to pay rent at their primary residence and has rental arrears (rent overdue) at their current residence for rent owed on or after March 13, 2020.
The household must be at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which can be demonstrated by having rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020.
Benefits
Households approved for ERAP may receive:
Up to 12 months of rental arrears payments for rents accrued on or after March 13, 2020.
Up to 3 months of additional rental assistance if the household is expected to spend 30 percent or more of their gross monthly income to pay for rent.
Up to 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears payments for arrears that have accrued on or after March 13, 2020.
Apply
Program open as of June 1, 2021. Applications are now being accepted. Apply here >
To help you apply: call Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County at 845-452-5104 or email info@dutchesscap.org. You can also visit www.dutchesscap.org and click “Apply for Services.”
El dinero está aquí para ayudar a aquellos que están económicamente aplastados por la pandemia, pero solicitarlo puede ser un trabajo de tiempo completo, además de ser difícil de entender. ¡La Asociación de Acción Comunitaria del Condado de Dutchess tiene un programa para eso! Samantha Riley de Community Action se ha acercado al Blog de A Little Beacon con la esperanza de hacer correr la voz de que están aquí para ayudar. Así es como funciona: El Programa de asistencia de emergencia para el alquiler del estado de Nueva York (ERAP) proporcionará un alivio económico significativo para ayudar a los hogares de ingresos bajos y moderados en riesgo de quedarse sin hogar o inestabilidad de la vivienda al proporcionar asistencia para el alquiler atrasado, asistencia temporal para el alquiler y asistencia para el pago de servicios públicos.
Elegibilidad
Los residentes de Nueva York son elegibles para ERAP si cumplen con todos los siguientes criterios:
El ingreso bruto del hogar es igual o inferior al 80 por ciento del ingreso medio del área (AMI). Estos límites de ingresos difieren según el condado y el tamaño del hogar. Un hogar puede calificar según los ingresos actuales o los ingresos del año calendario 2020 que sean iguales o inferiores al 80 por ciento del AMI.
A partir del 13 de marzo de 2020, un miembro del hogar recibió beneficios por desempleo o experimentó una reducción en sus ingresos, incurrió en costos significativos o experimentó dificultades financieras, directa o indirectamente, debido a la pandemia de COVID-19.
El solicitante está obligado a pagar el alquiler en su residencia principal y tiene atrasos en el alquiler (alquiler vencido) en su residencia actual por el alquiler adeudado a partir del 13 de marzo de 2020.
El hogar debe estar en riesgo de experimentar falta de vivienda o inestabilidad de la vivienda, lo que puede demostrarse si se adeudan pagos de alquiler a partir del 13 de marzo de 2020.
Beneficios
Los hogares aprobados para ERAP pueden recibir:
Hasta 12 meses de pagos atrasados de alquiler para alquileres acumulados a partir del 13 de marzo de 2020.
Hasta 3 meses de asistencia adicional para el alquiler si se espera que el hogar gaste el 30 por ciento o más de sus ingresos brutos mensuales para pagar el alquiler.
Hasta 12 meses de pagos atrasados de servicios públicos de electricidad o gas por atrasos que se hayan acumulado a partir del 13 de marzo de 2020.
Solicitar
Programa abierto a partir del 1 de junio de 2021. Ahora se aceptan solicitudes. Aplicar aquí>
Dutchess Community Action Partnership is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Contact them by phone: 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368)
For the hearing impaired, TTY phone number: 1-833-843-8829.
Beacon Chamber of Commerce Kicks Off Regular Business Call With City Administrator Chris White For Businesses To Call In
/Starting Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 8am, the Beacon Chamber of Commerce with Chamber President, Ron Iarossi (owner of Beacon Creamery) will host a Zoom call-in with Beacon’s City Administrator, Chris White. Said the Chamber in an email to members: “This will be the first of an ongoing monthly series. The meetings will be designed to update you on what’s happening in Beacon.” According to the Chamber, the first meeting will cover such items as parklets and upcoming TV and film projects. The Chamber encourages businesses to voice their opinions during the call.
City Administrator Chris announced the call during the May 24, 2021 City Council Meeting, where he mentioned the call as an opportunity to speak directly to businesses to get their feedback on future decisions made by the Council, such as allowing different events to come to town.
The City Administrator also mentioned wanting feedback on the growing number of film productions being filmed in Beacon. “Some of the businesses,” Chris recalled, “the last time we filmed, they loved it and made some money. Others weren't so happy.“
The City Administrator alluded to the Cupcake Festival as an example of an event he knew not to have. While some businesses like an art gallery were not happy for the large crowd, restaurants and some retail businesses did very well when the Cupcake Festival came to town, produced by Pamal Broadcasting, the home of K104.7. Beacon Bath and Bubble was one of the biggest critics of the event, but the day after it left town, the owner reversed her opinion after her sales yielded “Christmas numbers,” which means she sold a lot and was happy. Here is ALBB’s economic study of the festival on businesses.
Parking was a problem, and regular tourists and residents were not able to walk down a large section of Main Street as it was closed for the festival. Said K104.7 the year they did not return to Beacon and instead moved to Stormville: “We were hoping to come back to Beacon this year, but given the growing attendance and space/parking constraints, we had to look elsewhere. We’re looking forward to keeping it in the county and growing the festival in new and exciting ways.” One Beacon boutique, La Mere, followed the cupcakes to Stormville in her La Mere Mini trailor boutique on wheels, and had a good sales day.
The City Administrator Chris said during the 5/24/2021 City Council Meeting that he hopes to “activate” the parks, declaring his desire to start “activating the parks and have something cool going on,” as if the parks are underutilized and underenjoyed by locals, which they are not. They are treasured by locals. The City Administrator Chris continued: “The money is not the reason to do it. The reason is to bring people and businesses to Beacon. People think ‘Wow, I want to bring my business here.’”
The first event of the season post-pandemic in one of Beacon’s parks was a Makers Market hosted by Hops on Hudson. The event occupied part of the Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, and required tickets to get in. While the City Administrator saying that Pete & Toshii Seeger Riverfront park was open to the public despite the large event, police were down by the entrance near the lily pads blocking the opening, under instruction when hired to provide event-duty. People wanting to enter the park needed to speak to the police officer to request permission to go beyond their blockade or state their intent. Police were directing traffic to parking areas from as far away as Beekman Street near the MTA Police barracks.
How To Join The Business Call
The business meeting will be on Zoom, and attendees can join by following this link:
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Meeting ID: 882 4189 0659
Passcode: 031504
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Memorial Day Weekend | Retail Therapy & Things To Do Guide 5/28/2021
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Sounding of Taps, by Dani Masterson
Memorial Day Ceremonies in Beacon:
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City of Beacon Police Respond With Detail Of New May 25th Incident Involving Mentally Ill Man In Question
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RELATED LINKS:
MTA Responds With Details Of Tasering Of Mentally Ill Man on May 19th, On Main Street In Beacon (5/25/2021)
Coverage Of The Gathering To Speak Against Force Used By MTA Police In Beacon (5/26/2021)
PLEASE NOTE: this article series is discussing 2 different incidents of a man who has been in Beacon for some time, harassing people, which has escalated after he was Tasered on Main Street by MTA Police on May 19, 2021. Later, he was Tasered again on May 25, 2021 by a New York State Trooper. This response from the City of Beacon Police deals with the May 25th incident. It does not address the May 19th incident because the City of Beacon Police Department was not involved.
During the research for the story on the man who was Tasered by MTA Police on Main Street on May 19, 2021, in response to an alleged complaint of threats, ALBB learned that a new incident occurred on Main Street on May 25, 2021 that involved City of Beacon Police and New York State Police. On that day, we reached out to the City of Beacon Police for confirmation and any detail they could provide.
Today, Lt. Figlia from the City of Beacon Police responded to ALBB with detail from the City of Beacon Police. The detail is provided in full below:
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The following message has been written by Lt. Figlia of the Beacon Police:
We believe that the nature of this incident is, at least to some extent, related to the mental health of an individual. In order to protect that individual’s privacy, we will not be releasing any identifying information about the individual, nor will we comment on any incidents that did not involve City of Beacon Police Department members. However, the matter you are inquiring about is of considerable public concern, so we want to provide the public with as much information as we can responsibly share.
On 5/25/21 at approximately 10:48 AM the Beacon Police Department received a call for male, who was identified by name, inside of a business on Main St. screaming, “fuck you bitch” at a female employee and refusing to leave. When officers were dispatched to the call, MTA PD advised BPD over the radio that they had an active warrant for individual. BPD officers then located him on Main St. and took him into custody without incident. He was then transported directly to MTA PD’s Beacon HQ where he was turned over to them. Any questions about the nature of the warrant should be directed to the MTA PD.
At approximately 1:25 PM the same day the Beacon Police Department received three separate calls about the same individual on Main St. yelling at people and being involved in an altercation. BPD officers responded and approached the individual, who was now in need of psychiatric evaluation at a hospital under New York State Mental Hygiene Law, as it had become apparent from his actions that he was presenting a danger to himself and others. As officers approached, the individual fled on foot before they could speak to him. BPD officers pursued him with the intent of taking him into custody for transport to MidHudson Regional Hospital. During that time a passing New York State Trooper observed this and self-initiated joining the pursuit. The trooper utilized a taser on the individual. BPD officers then took the individual into custody without further incident and transported him to MidHudson Regional Hospital for psychiatric treatment. As of approximately 12:30 PM on 5/26/21 the individual was observed to be out of MidHudson Regional and back in Beacon. Any questions about the use of force and the taser should be directed to the New York State Police.
On 5/26/21 someone came into BPD HQ to file charges against the same individual for allegedly threatening to kill them. This year, from 2/28/21 to 5/26/21 the Beacon Police Department has had 42 contacts with the individual in question. Of these contacts, 36 have been due to calls from the public. They have primarily been for threatening or harassing behavior, walking in front of vehicles and very aggressive panhandling. The individual in question has been approached by our co-housed Mental Health America of Dutchess County Behavioral Health Specialist on numerous occasions and has continuously refused many attempts at assistance and services.
Coverage Of The Gathering To Speak Against Force Used By MTA Police In Beacon
/RELATED LINKS:
MTA Responds With Details Of Tasering Of Mentally Ill Man on May 19th, On Main Street In Beacon (5/25/2021)
Coverage Of The Gathering To Speak Against Force Used By MTA Police In Beacon (5/26/2021)
PLEASE NOTE: this article series is discussing 2 different incidents of a man who has been in Beacon for some time, harassing people, which has escalated after he was Tasered on Main Street by MTA Police on May 19, 2021. Later, he was Tasered again on May 25, 2021 by a New York State Trooper. This response from the City of Beacon Police deals with the May 25th incident. It does not address the May 19th incident because the City of Beacon Police Department was not involved.
During the summer of 2020, when the nation was marching against the standards used in policing in the name of Black lives mattering more, Beacon was marching as well. The focus was on the City of Beacon Police, a department which had undergone major reform after a Federal investigation that concluded in 2017.
To ALBB’s knowledge, City of Beacon Police Officers did not participate in those Marches (please write in to correct us if you were an officer who participated - even if anonymous!), with the exception of Lieutenant Figlia, who is still active with the City of Beacon Police, and contributed his story after one of the marches at an open mic session. During that experience, he shared his story of domestic abuse by his father towards himself and his mother, and how it inspired him to become a police officer to serve and protect others.
Otherwise, the then Chief Kevin Junjulas did not participate, was terse during City Council Meetings when asked questions about process by the Council, and retired shortly into the racial reckoning awakening in June 2020.
This week, a protest was held by Beacon4Black Lives after a young man known locally for mental instability and aggression was tasered by MTA Police on Main Street on the sidewalk. Details of the incident are here. This use of force act prompted some in the community to gather together to march to the MTA Police District 7 barracks, a sleepy little house-like structure on Beekman Street that normally nobody pays any mind to.
Over the past year, the people of Beacon have been successfully working with the City of Beacon’s Police and City Council to build relationships at the leadership level and community level for form a state mandated Police Reform plan. This incident from the MTA Police was out of character with what has been discussed within the community, which included a heavy focus on mental health and policing. Therefore, the tasering action of a mentally unstable, albeit unpleasant person on the surface, shocked many people into focus on MTA Police and learn more about them.
When the community members marched from Chase Bank on Main Street, to the MTA Police barracks on Beekman Street, they were met by 7 MTA Police Officers standing in front of the barracks at 8:45pm on the evening of Tuesday, May 25, 2021. One officer standing in front of the barracks wore a white shirt, and the rest of the officers were in dark uniforms. The officer in the center had his hand near his shirt collar, while others stood by, arms folded, and eventually leaned on the building columns and relaxed their postures.
Two other officers in white shirts approached up the hill to the south of the barracks near the police parking lot. Community members in this protest were escorted by City of Beacon Police, who had maintained a moving blockade down Main Street, and closed Beekman Street at the District 7 barracks to divert cars while the community members stood in the middle of the road, asking the MTA Police Officers questions.
This was the first time in a year that police officers had come out to meet community members demanding their attention. While the moment was awkward - as the officers and the community members did not know what to say to each other during this unexpected turnout - it was refreshing. Questions were asked of the officers, to learn more about them. All officers remained silent. Questions included:
Do you communicate with the City of Beacon Police on people known to this area? On the platform and on Main Street, as the people go back and forth. How does the communication work?
Do you come to this District 7 each time? Are you are other Districts? Or are you familiar with Beacon? Or are you in Long Island and other areas and sometimes here?
PARTIAL ANSWER: We have since learned from the community that MTA Police Captain Pisanelli at District 7 in Beacon is a generational Beaconite - Hello!How are you feeling right now?
When you tase someone, does it also affect your body? Does the electricity also go into your body? We wanted to hear from you on the experience, rather than read about it in newspapers.
When the officers did not respond, one community member stated: “We’re the people they are supposed to protect and serve, and they don’t want to talk to us.”
When the police did not respond, one of the group leaders, who is Black and whose dad is a corrections officer, spoke to the officers via his megaphone:
“We’re sad of seeing Black and Brown lives being hurt.”
A woman from the community broke in to say: “You’re doing your job, and we respect that.”
The march organizer continued: “And we want things to change. We want answers. We want solutions. We want things to change. We want things to get better. I don’t want to drive down the street and be afraid of being pulled over. I could be killed. And that’s the fact of the matter. My dad’s a Corrections Officer, and he still tells me to do a certain thing and act a certain way in front of police, because if they don’t know me, they can kill me at any point. And it really saddens us. It makes us so sad, that we have to do this. The reality is, even when we do this, and we come down here, and try to have an actual conversation with y’all as people, as people of your comunity, and you still won’t have enough respect for us to talk to us. And that’s terrible. You know what I mean?”
With questions asked and statements made, the protest ended. One of the organizers used a curse word to express his feelings, and the other organizer gently shepherded everyone home.
Gathering & March Tonight Against MTA Police Tasering Mentally Ill Man On Main Street During Mental Health Month
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The MTA Police Station in Beacon, NY.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
RELATED LINKS:
MTA Responds With Details Of Tasering Of Mentally Ill Man on May 19th, On Main Street In Beacon (5/25/2021)
Coverage Of The Gathering To Speak Against Force Used By MTA Police In Beacon (5/26/2021)
PLEASE NOTE: this article series is discussing 2 different incidents of a man who has been in Beacon for some time, harassing people, which has escalated after he was Tasered on Main Street by MTA Police on May 19, 2021. Later, he was Tasered again on May 25, 2021 by a New York State Trooper. This response from the City of Beacon Police deals with the May 25th incident. It does not address the May 19th incident because the City of Beacon Police Department was not involved.
Yesterday, A Little Beacon Blog reported that a Black man reportedly known by MTA Police for mental illness was pursued from the MTA train station in Beacon and was tasered last Wednesday, May 19, 2021. The MTA Police told bystanders that the man harassed a woman, compelling them to pursue him and detain him Main Street, which is no longer MTA property. MTA Police then tasered the man after they detained him on the ground.
UPDATE 5/25/2021: We have since learned that MTA Police jurisdiction covers the Hudson line, and that they can go into the communities along the train. One reader wrote in to say that she received a ticket for expired registration on her car on the road while passing Boscobel, which is on 9D. We have also learned that the man was not chased from the platform to Main Street. According to MTA Media Relations, a complaint was made about him by “a pair of women” after he verbally harassed them and then he walked away from them. After the man walked away from them, the women made the complaint. The MTA Police Officer put the complaint over the wires, and about 20 minutes later, according to MTA Media Relations, two other MTA Police Officers detained him on Main Street just a few storefront shops in from Wolcott Avenue.
The organization Beacon4Black Lives has organized a March and gathering to speak against the actions taken by the MTA Police tonight (Tuesday) at 7:45pm. Beacon4Black Lives state: “Meet at Chase Bank at 7:45pm. We are going to March to the MTA Police Station (on Beekman Street, across Wolcott) for a peaceful gathering. Bring signs, megaphones, and flashlights! Share this and invite friends, family and anyone or everyone in the area who is willing to stand up and say this can’t go any further. They can’t hurt a Black life in our town or anywhere. I hope as many people who came out last year when Black Lives Matter was trending and said they support us come and help us get justice. We cannot allow the police to hurt us anymore.”
View of the train platform at Beacon’s MTA train station, from the MTA Police Station. According to MTA Media Relations, the man was apprehended and tasered 20 minutes later on Main Street in Beacon outside of storefronts.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
EDITORIAL NOTE 5/25/2021: The MTA Media Relations has responded with detail since this publishing, and this article has been updated to reflect what they say happened.
According to a bystander at the scene of the tasering, when the MTA Police apprehended the man and pushed him up against storefront glass windows on Main Street, where one bystander said they thought the window would break. After getting him to the ground, according to a bystander, the MTA Police Officers told the man they were going to taser him, and then did taser him at least 3 times, according to the bystander.
The reaction to this story in Beacon has been similar across the board:
“I didn’t know that the MTA Police were real. I thought they were like mall security guards.”
“I hope it’s not that guy who I think it is. He’s a Black man not too tall and clearly has some mental health issues. I see him walk between the train and town all the time.”
One bystander described to ALBB how the MTA Police Officer answered when asked why the man was being tasered: “He held and rubbed his jaw a bunch of times saying that the taser shook him up (referring to himself the officer as being shaken from taser) and that the man was threatening people on the street and he keeps getting worse. They have been dealing with him for years,” the bystander said they heard the MTA Police Officer say.
Upon listening to the video, some readers are recognizing the man’s voice. If it is the same man, one female reader said: “I am making red mad faces for the way the MTA Police detained him. I’ve seen him be calm and kind and I’ve seen him be irritable and aggressive. He approached me on Main Street not long ago asking for money. He had his mask down so I asked him to put it up and he did. I told him I didn’t have anything to give him (I didn’t) and he moved along. I see him walk from the train talking to himself sometimes. Over the winter, he would walk up with a blanket wrapped around himself. I have no idea where he lives or if he is houseless.”
Where Does The City Of Beacon Police Fit Into This?
Questions were emailed to Beacon Police Chief Sands Frost, Mayor Lee Kyriacou (technically in charge of the Police in Beacon), City Administrator Chris White (works closely with every department), Colin Milone (assistant to the Mayor), Dan Aymar-Blair (Councilmember who co-authored Beacon’s Police Reform Resolution and has questioned Beacon’s inventory of tasers, even though this was MTA Police action), Air Nonken Rhodes (Councilmember who co-authored Beacon’s Police Reform Resolution), and Terry Nelson (Councilmember representing Ward 1, which is where this incident happened).
So far ALBB has not received a response from the City of Beacon, but if one comes in, this article will be updated. MTA’s Media Relations team did respond to us within 24 hours after questions were submitted. The questions emailed to the above mentioned City of Beacon group are as follows:
How does jurisdiction work between MTA Police and Beacon Police?
If a person is accused of doing something at the train station, and then runs up the hill and into Beacon via Main Street or other street, are the MTA Police allowed to pursue and apprehend that person?
Do the MTA Police call Beacon Police when entering Beacon?
Readers are beginning to comment that they are familiar with the man who was electrocuted. That he is known to walk between the train station and Main Street often, who is known to have mental health issues. One of the MTA Police Officers also said the man is known to have mental health issues, and is “getting worse.” Is electrocuting him the recommended way to help him?
With the new Mental Health professional, Lashaveous Dicker, working for Beacon alongside Beacon Police, would this be something he would be called for?
Does the MTA Police know that Lashaveous Dicker is working in Beacon?
Do the MTA Police and Beacon Police communicate as to how to handle people that they both encounter on a regular basis?
The pictures below show one of the paths up from the train station to Main Street. The walk involves the long and winding road of Beekman Street, which is where the MTA Police Station is, past the Beacon Police Station which is built into a hill, and then across Wolcott Avenue, where Main Street starts.
MTA Responds With Details Of Tasering Of Mentally Ill Man On Main Street In Beacon
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RELATED LINKS:
Mentally Ill Man Tasered On Beacon's Main Street; Allegedly Pursued By MTA Police From Train Station (5/25/2021)
A Little Beacon Blog reached out to the MTA to confirm or clarify details of the Tasering of a mentally ill man on Main Street on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. ALBB sought the details of how the MTA Police were alerted to the initial issue to cause them to pursue the main in question.
A reader submitted partial video of the incident, along with testimony of what that person recording video said they saw. Other people who were on the street that day, and other days, have chimed in with additional details. These details are being included here if they cross referenced each other.
According to the MTA, the man in question was harassing people on the train platform at the Beacon station, shouting obscenities, and threatening. Prior to this, an MTA Police Officer who was just walking on patrol at the Beacon station saw this man behaving erratically, saying curse words.
The man in question then left. After the man left, a pair of women reported to the MTA Police Officer that he had been threatening them, saying “I am going to kill you,” and cursing. Once those threats were made clear to the officer, the officer informed - aka “put it over the wire.” ALBB has not pursued video footage of the platform to confirm the activity. ALBB is awaiting answer from the MTA on if its officers wear body cameras.
Roughly 20 minutes later, a pair of other MTA Police Officers responded by finding the man in question, who at that point was at the beginning of Main Street. That is where they sought to detain the man. That is when he resisted arrest, and the Taser came out and was used on the man on Main Street outside of storefront shops.
According to a witness, the MTA Police Officers pressed the man in question up against storefront windows in order to apprehend him. The witness on Main Street told A Little Beacon Blog: “The officer said he was resisting arrest, but they had him in a hold, so the other cop said: 'I’m going to taser you’ like 3 times. And they did. Several times, and he screamed.”
A witness on Main Street said: “They told me the man they apprehended has a long history of arrests and is mentally ill, but they Tasered him a lot…There were caps all over the place. The cop cleaned up some after.”
As seen in the video, after being Tasered, the officer delivering the electric charge tells the man to “stand up.” The man is held by the second officer from behind, and the man states: “Help me get up.” According to the MTA, after the officers placed the man in the car after he was Tasered, and they took him to a hospital, where he was checked to make sure he was fit enough for discharge after being Tasered. He was processed at the MTA District 7 Headquarters (aka “barracks”) on Beekman Street. He was given an appearance ticket for court, and released. He was charged with 3 charges:
Aggravated harassment
Menacing in the 3rd Degree
Resisting arrest
According to the City of Beacon Officer Reynolds on Beacon's information desk, the Beacon Police were not called for this incident.
The man in question is in his early 20s, and may have an address in Poughkeepsie. He has been arrested 22 times by the MTA Police, with several arrests happening in Beacon. Within this month - Mental Health Awareness Month - the man in question had another incident in the middle of Main Street with officers. There was a warrant out for his arrest on a trespassing case, where he had not shown up to court. It is not known if he is houseless, or if he is functional enough to open the mail, or write down a court appearance date in his calendar. It is not known at this time if he carries a calendar.
Beacon Police were dealing with him on Main Street recently. The man has been attempted to be Tasered before in a separate incident by New York State Police, but the taser didn't “stick.”
ALBB has not pursued the number of arrests, if any, made by the Beacon Police or New York State Police. New York State Police also have jurisdiction in Beacon and throughout the state. Here is New York State’s Arrest Without A Warrant criminal procedure that explains where an officer can go throughout the state to make an arrest.
How Does A Taser Work?
According to this New York Times article, a Taser has 2 prongs that are discharged from the Taser to the person. According to the article, for each charge (or discharge), 50,000 volts of electricity are pulsed into the person’s muscles for up to 5 seconds. The goal is to render the muscles frozen. According to the New York Times article, “the shock can cause pain that has been described as excruciating.”
According to this DIY Taser Maker web page, “this gadget generates substantial voltage pulses which can disrupt muscle tissues and neurological system, forcing any individual who touches it into a condition of mental bewilderment.” You can also read about the effects on a person’s body here at ABC News.
Are Tasers Recommended For People With Mental Health Conditions?
According to the New York Times article, “The devices can bring an abrupt halt to a confrontation and disable an uncooperative person, but if they are discharged and don’t work — or even when they do — sometimes the effect can be to make things worse.”
“If a person is angry, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or has a mental illness, the use of a Taser can exacerbate those conditions and inflame a situation, said Joel Feinman, the chief public defender in Pima County in Arizona.”
The man in question in Beacon is known to MTA Officers. The situation that involved this particular Tasering happened after the man allegedly cursed and made threats to the people on the train platform, and had left. It was on Main Street that he was apprehended, resisted, and was Tasered.
This man is one of several mentally delicate people who walk up and down Main Street on a daily basis. He does mumble to himself, curse to himself, and approach people for money. People like himself have been known to walk into storefronts and places of business - or to parking lots - to encounter people with an ask or demand. The experience of when he does that can be jarring and frightening.
Dutchess County prides itself on providing several Mental Health services. During Beacon’s City Council Meetings, several Mental Health presentations have been made this year alone, including information about why hiring a Mental Health professional from Mental Health America of Dutchess County was a good idea. According to the Mid Hudson News: “The addition of a mental health intensive case manager was highlighted as one of the initiatives called for the City of Beacon’s newly adopted police reform plan.
It is not known at this time if that professional thinks it a good end game to continue Tasering this man in question in order to bring peace to his life, and to residents, visitors and businesses owners in Beacon. It is also not clear if Beacon’s new Mental Health professional was consulted by MTA Police on their tactic for dealing with a known mentally unstable person who regularly behaves the same way.
Perhaps they think that electric therapy delivered on the sidewalk is the best treatment. Perhaps Tasers are just protocol, and perhaps MTA Police Officers aren’t encouraged or trained in other ways of dealing with a regular person in the community after in non-violent situation 20 minutes after an alleged incident.
Tasers Mentioned In Beacon’s Police Reform Report
After the murder of George Floyd and the reckoning that awakened after that across the nation, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 203 that all municipalities must deliver their visions of how to police in their communities. At this time, it is not clear if that Executive Order 203 includes MTA Police, other train police, and New York State Police.
The MTA Police, which the MTA says has roughly 30 officers working from the barracks just below the City Of Beacon Police Station who can patrol up and down the region of the Hudson line all the way into Long Island, were not factored into public discussions on Police Reform, but do drive regularly through Beacon, and are authorized to do police work in Beacon.
According to the Highlands Current, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (MTAPD) was formed in 1998 when the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North Railroad Police Departments merged. "After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the department expanded and dramatically expanded its counter-terrorism capabilities," the article reports. In 2005, the department expanded when the Staten Island Railway Police Department also became part of MTAPD.
The MTA Police are used as “mutual aid” with the City of Beacon when necessary, much like how neighboring Fire Departments cross municipalities and county lines during a fire to help each other.
The City of Beacon worked very hard on its Police Reform plan, with input from the community, and submitted it to New York State in March 2021. It includes mention of Tasers and how officers are trained. An excerpt from the City of Beacon’s Police Reform and Modernization Collaborative Report is below:
The Beacon Police Department has a recent history of progressive training. All patrol officers are trained in a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training(“CIT”) course, which helps to train officers to help persons with mental disorders and addictions to access medical treatment rather than place them in the criminal justice system.
This evidence-based strategy has been found effective in reducing the risk of injury or death during emergency interactions between police and persons with mental illness. In addition to the CIT Training, the Department conducts regular in-service training on topics including Workplace Violence, Sexual Harassment, Use of Force Policy and Law, De-escalation Techniques, Administration of Narcan (to address opioid overdoses), CPR/AED, Defensive Tactics, Active Shooter Response, Blood-borne Pathogens, and Taser and OC spray (pepper spray) use.
The Department is adding eight hours of Procedural Justice training and eight hours of Implicit Bias training for all officers for 2021. Procedural Justice training focuses on how the police interact with the public. Procedural justice is based on four central principles: "treating people with dignity and respect, giving citizens 'voice' during encounters, being neutral in decision making, and conveying trustworthy motives." Research demonstrates that these principles contribute to relationships between authorities and the community in which 1) the community has trust and confidence in the police as honest, unbiased, benevolent, and lawful; 2) the community feels obligated to follow the law and the dictates of legal authorities, and 3) the community feels that it shares a common set of interests and values with the police.
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The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
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