Croton's Police Advisory Committee packed a wide-ranging agenda into its June 18 meeting, covering everything from body camera deployment timelines to planning for National Night Out, with committee members pressing forward on several initiatives aimed at strengthening community-police relations.

Body Cameras Nearing Deployment

Body cameras are edging closer to reality. Components are arriving, and Police Chief John Nikitopoulos reported the program should be operational by the end of September or early October, according to draft minutes of the meeting, which await committee approval. The PBA will need to sign off on all camera policies, which are being written now. Body camera footage will also add to staff workload due to discovery requirements, the chief noted. The village is also expanding its camera footprint beyond body-worn devices. Cameras are being added to some local parks, and Nikitopoulos planned to brief the Board of Trustees on camera usage and data storage at an upcoming work session. The PAC agreed to add camera-related questions to its 2026 community survey and to write public information materials once the cameras go into effect.

Policy Manual and Accreditation

Accreditation will now be a standing item at all PAC meetings, per Village Manager Bryan Healy's request, tying the committee's work to the Police Reform Task Force report submitted to the Board. The policy manual is mostly complete, the chief reported. Lt. Tramaglini and Nikitopoulos spent roughly eight months rewriting the policies. Officers are given approximately five policies per month to read and sign off on — a pace recommended by Lexipol, the policy management provider. Full officer sign-off is expected to take another 12 to 24 months, as officers must complete the reading while continuing their regular duties.

Police Consultant Search

The Board has approved hiring a police consultant, and an RFP has been issued. Nikitopoulos said he hopes to have a firm hired within one to two months, with a final report issued by the end of 2026.

Blue Envelope Program

Detective DiTomasso, who joined the meeting for the first 30 minutes, explained the Blue Envelope Program, which was instituted in Croton last year to assist drivers with autism spectrum disorders during traffic stops. Only one person has signed up to date. Committee member Carolyn Whiting will write a letter to the *Gazette* and coordinate with the Croton special education program to distribute abbreviated cards to nonverbal children. Nikitopoulos will ask the village to provide additional publicity.

Corrections from March Meeting

Healy sought to clarify several points from the committee's March 12 meeting. Contrary to what may have been discussed, Healy did not object to flowers at the municipal building for Police Week — he had concerns only about additional flowers at the flagpole due to staffing needed to maintain them. He was fine with flowers in the planters. Healy also clarified that his office posts the police blotter online within one week of receiving it from the police department. He does not censor the blotter but makes it more user-friendly by clarifying police jargon. Committee member Ian Murtaugh said he was agnostic about publishing the blotter but suggested adding a brief information section at the top, noting that residents read it with great interest.

School and Youth Programs

Officers spent approximately 400 hours in the schools from September 2025 through June 2026. While the committee called the number significant, the minutes noted that a dedicated school resource officer would have far more one-on-one contact with students and better information about safety needs. Officers currently do not participate in all safety meetings with the school security company. The Youth Cadet program had approximately 24 participants, with about five expected to graduate this year. Cadets assisted at the village's flag-raising ceremony and were described as professional and helpful. Officer Edwin Jandres, who was not at the meeting, has approached the school about reading to elementary students in Spanish. School officials expressed interest and will follow up in the fall. The library may also host a Spanish-language reading event.

National Night Out Planning

National Night Out is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the committee discussed several enhancements. Nikitopoulos has ordered 500 fingerprint cards so parents can take home photo IDs and fingerprints of their children. Police cadets will man a dunk tank. Jeremy Davis is working to hire a student band, with a DJ as a backup. The chief also explored using the village shuttle bus to attract upper-village residents, placing banners at the municipal building, and using the department's message board for promotion. A possible raffle of a basket with donated items from village businesses was also discussed.

Other Items

Red light cameras are not yet on the Board's agenda. The PAC will send its memo about signage once the Board takes up the matter. The committee also discussed a "blue light drill" at the schools, with Nikitopoulos suggesting that the school communicate to parents that walking around the building during such drills is unhelpful and could hinder police response. The committee's next community survey planning meeting was set for July 16. Trustee Maria Slippen, the Board liaison, attended the session, which was held at the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building.