Albany, NY - Kiryas Joel Asked For Bill, That Their Public Safety Officers Could Use Flashing Lights And Sirens

Albany, NY - Kiryas Joel Village officials have outfitted five Chevy Impalas and a Jeep Cherokee with flashing red lights and sirens, as though they were police cars racing to calls.

But questions by the state police and a legal opinion from the state Attorney General's Office has led to legislation in Albany this year that would ensure Kiryas Joel's constables can use their lights and sirens.
The Attorney General's Office issued an informal opinion, telling officials in Brocton, a village of 1,500, that state law wouldn't allow its peace officers to operate flashing lights and sirens on their vehicles.

Because of that opinion and state police questions, Kiryas Joel officials asked their representatives in Albany - Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, R-Greenwood Lake, and Sen. William Larkin, R-Cornwall-on-Hudson - to introduce a one-paragraph bill declaring that Kiryas Joel's public safety officers could use flashing lights and sirens.
Committees were reviewing their legislation, it could be taken up when lawmakers return to Albany, although Kiryas Joel Administrator said it's unnecessary because the village attorney has persuaded the state police that existing law already permits the lights and sirens. The state police couldn't confirm that resolution.