LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring New Paltz Police Department Police Offi-
cer Calvin Halstead upon the occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Asso-
ciation of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service - Investigation
Award on May 5, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished officers and citizens who devote themselves to
public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing
for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York, there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor New Paltz
Police Department Police Officer Calvin Halstead upon the occasion of
receiving a Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County's Meritorious
Police Service - Investigation Award at its Law Enforcement Awards
Banquet which was held at the Diamond Mills Hotel and Tavern in Sauger-
ties, New York on May 5, 2013; and
WHEREAS, On December 29, 2011, New Paltz Police Officers responded to
a reported burglary at a local cafe in the Village of New Paltz, New
York; upon arrival, officers found that a burglar had forced his way
into the locked store and stolen cash, rattling the victims and scaring
other business owners in the vicinity; and
WHEREAS, Over the next month, twenty more businesses would fall victim
to successful or attempted break-ins, all in New Paltz and all using
darkness as a cover; as evidence would soon begin to show, it was
thought all were conducted by the same person and New Paltz Police began
to suspect they were dealing with a serial burglar who would likely not
stop until he was forced to; and
WHEREAS, Often difficult cases to solve, they sometimes result in a
game of cat and mouse; a few days go by with no reports and then they
start up all over again; the burglar seemed to be targeting specific
businesses he believed did not have alarms and which could be accessed
easily; and
WHEREAS, The burglar's M.O. seemed pretty consistent; he would force
entry into the business through a window or door and steal cash; and
WHEREAS, A burglary investigation task force was created which
consisted of squads of plain clothes officers whose objective was to
saturate the Village and Town in search of the burglar; and
WHEREAS, Assisting the New Paltz Police Department were officers from
the Ulster County Sheriff's Department and the SUNY New Paltz University
Police Department since cases like these call for a lot of manpower and
plain old police street work; and
WHEREAS, On January 26, 2012, New Paltz Police Officer Calvin Halstead
was assigned to one of these plain clothes details to identify and/or
apprehend the burglar; during his foot patrols in the back alleys of New
Paltz, he encountered Adam K. inside one of the laundromats in the
Village; and
WHEREAS, The two began speaking and when Officer Halstead mentioned
the ongoing investigation he noticed Adam just didn't seem right; he
seemed very nervous and began to tremble; it is not unusual to encounter
homeless people in laundromats which are open 24/7, but it was more than
that; Adam gave Officer Halstead the impression that he knew more, but
would not talk; Officer Halstead knew not to push it any further and
immediately notified New Paltz Detectives of the encounter; and

WHEREAS, Armed with information provided by Officer Halstead, detec-
tives identified Adam as a person of interest in the case and over the
next several weeks were able to link evidence to him which had been
collected at numerous scenes; and
WHEREAS, Dozens of street interviews were conducted, but Officer
Halstead's interview with Adam and his assessment of the information he
obtained were the deciding factors which ultimately led to Adam's
arrest; during Officer Halstead's interview with Adam, Adam made several
incriminating statements which confirmed to the Detectives that they had
their man; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that dedicated
public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation
of order and the protection of others are worthy and due full praise for
their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor New Paltz Police Department Police Officer Calvin Halstead upon
the occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County's
Meritorious Police Service - Investigation Award on May 5, 2013; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to New Paltz Police Department Police Officer Calvin Halstead.