The New York State Police announce the arrest of Aidan Chun Loong Chan, age 19, of Hicksville, New York, following an extensive investigation into a fraud-related grand larceny that occurred in the town of Williamson, Wayne County. On August 1, 2025, State Police responded to a complaint from a Williamson resident who reported being the victim of a scam involving individuals posing as bank fraud representatives. The victim was deceived into withdrawing $20,000 in cash under the false belief that their accounts were compromised. The victim was instructed to provide the money to an individual who arrived at her residence to collect the funds. Through investigation conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in SP Williamson, the suspect who retrieved the money was identified as Chan. Investigators determined that Chan traveled to the victim’s residence, took possession of the cash, and subsequently transported the proceeds to another individual downstate. On March 22, 2026, Chan was arrested by the New York State Police and charged with: Grand Larceny 3rd degree (D felony) Chan was processed at SP Williamson and arraigned in Wayne County CAP arraignment. The New York State Police were assisted in this investigation by the New York State Police Intelligence Center (NYSIC), Troop L BCI, Troop NYC BCI, and the Cellular Analysis Response Team (CART).

Latest News | March 20, 2026 Legendary martial artist, actor, and cultural icon Chuck Norris has passed away at the age of 86, according to statements released by his family. Norris died on March 19, 2026, following what has been described as a sudden medical event. His family shared that he was surrounded by loved ones and at peace at the time of his passing. A Larger-Than-Life Legacy Born Carlos Ray Norris in Oklahoma, Chuck Norris rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most recognizable action stars in the world. Before Hollywood, Norris built a dominant reputation in martial arts, becoming a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate Champion.  Remembering Chuck Norris Chuck Norris leaves behind his wife, children, and a legacy that spans martial arts, film, television, and global pop culture. His life was defined by discipline, resilience, faith, and strength. Both on and off the screen.

Trooper Scott P. Enser, 58, died on March 20, 2021, as a result of cancer stemming from his assignment to the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Following the events of 9/11, Trooper Enser was assigned to aid with the search and recovery efforts in New York City as part of the New York State Police Detail. Trooper Enser entered the State Police on October 2, 1989, and retired on October 6, 2009. He served the New York State Police for 20 years. Trooper Enser is survived by his mother and sister. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1248346600822385&set=a.153499116973811

A routine traffic stop in the Town of New Hartford escalated into a physical confrontation Tuesday evening, leading to the arrest of a 47-year-old Utica woman. According to the New Hartford Police Department , officers observed a vehicle operating with a suspended registration on State Route 12 on March 17, 2026, at approximately 8:18 p.m. Police initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Amira Zukanovic, 47, of Utica. Investigators determined the vehicle was not legally permitted to operate on a public roadway due to a suspended registration and lack of insurance, as confirmed by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Officers advised Zukanovic that the vehicle would need to be towed and issued multiple lawful orders for her to exit the vehicle. Police report that Zukanovic repeatedly refused to comply and indicated an intent to flee, at one point moving the vehicle forward and creating a risk of injury. As officers continued to explain the situation, Zukanovic allegedly attempted to leave the scene. When an officer reached into the vehicle to remove the key from the ignition, police say Zukanovic struck the officer in the face and became combative. She reportedly pushed, kicked, and resisted officers as they attempted to place her into custody. Additional officers responded to assist, and Zukanovic was ultimately taken into custody without further incident. She was evaluated by medical personnel at the scene and later transported to police headquarters for processing. Zukanovic was subsequently arraigned in Oneida County Centralized Arraignment Part Court and remanded to the Oneida County Jail , where she is currently being held. She faces the following charges: Obstructing Governmental Administration (PL 195.05) Resisting Arrest (PL 205.30) Harassment in the Second Degree – Physical Contact (PL 240.26) Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (VTL 511-a) Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended Registration (VTL 512) Unregistered Motor Vehicle (VTL 401) Unlicensed Operation (VTL 509) Failure to Produce License or Registration (VTL 510) Insurance Violation (VTL 319) Failure to Return Plates (VTL 340) Operating with a Suspended License or Registration (VTL 355) Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle (VTL 1144) Police noted that the incident could have remained a routine traffic enforcement matter had the driver complied with lawful orders and addressed the violations through the court system. The Utica Police Department  assisted New Hartford officers at the scene. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02MYzur3hMrbnD4XgAARp71SzT9SUafHT9NDbY9bg43kwwwaqQaQM19CUoHQgnHV7Zl&id=100064364722662

Phishing Expeditions Seek to Trick Customers into Handing Over Personal Information Texts Falsely Claim New Yorkers Owe for Tickets and Need to Pay Immediately The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is warning customers to be aware of the latest efforts to scam them into sharing personal information. The culprits design websites and phishing text messages to look legitimate, hoping some of the recipients will be fooled into providing information that can be used to commit identity theft and fraud. Some of the scam messages claim to be from DMV and that a driver’s license is about to be suspended. An extremely short window of time is then given for payment. “These text messages tend to come in waves. They will stop for a while only to start up again,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “You should know that DMV will never send a text like this, threatening you to make payments within days or risk suspension. That should be a glaring red flag that the message you are receiving is not actually coming from us.” There are several giveaways that the texts are a fraud. They include email addresses that are not official DMV accounts and often contain individual names and strings of numbers or are from Outlook,Gmail, Yahoo or other nongovernmental email systems. They link to seemingly official websites that are not the real DMV website. The official DMV website is dmv.ny.gov. If you did share your personal information, you should check your credit reports regularly. You can contact any of the three credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) to place a credit freeze or fraud alert on your account. You should also change your passwords, check your computer or devices for viruses, and notify your bank and other companies that you have accounts with. Phishing texts and imitation websites are designed to obtain data or sensitive personal information to be used to commit identity theft or trick the recipient into installing malicious software onto a computer or mobile device. DMV created a page on its website on these phishing attacks. Another page on the website is regularly updated with examples of the text messages. The New York State Department of Information Technology Services offers advice on avoiding these phishing attacks. Be cautious about all communications you receive, including those that claim to be from "trusted entities." Be careful when clicking any links contained within those messages. If in doubt, do not click. Do not send your personal information via email. Legitimate businesses will not ask users to send sensitive personal information through email. Keep an eye out for telltale signs: poor spelling or grammar, the use of threats, or the URL does not match that of the legitimate site. Be wary of how much information you post online. The less information you post, the less data you make available to a cybercriminal for use in developing a potential attack or scam. For more information about DMV, visit the DMV website, or follow the DMV conversation online at Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. Sources: https://dmv.ny.gov/news/dmv-warns-new-yorkers-about-latest-barrage-of-scam-texts

Press Release Shortly after 5:00 a.m. on March 15, 2026, two New York State Police troopers were conducting a traffic stop on a 2025 Mercedes sedan operated by Siiyer W. Walker, age 52, of Connecticut, along the right shoulder of the Thruway in the town of Mamaroneck. Troopers were standing near the Mercedes when a 2007 Chevy Suburan, operated by Kevin Ariel Cunache Moyolema, age 24, of Connecticut, rear-ended the patrol car, which was then pushed into the Mercedes, which then struck one of the troopers. The trooper was transported to the Westchester Medical Center for minor injuries and later released. The other trooper was not struck. Moyolema was transported to Westchester Medical Center for minor body pain evaluation. Walker was evaluated by EMS on scene and declined transport. The investigation is continuing. Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/trooper-struck-during-traffic-stop-thruway-mamaroneck

On March 14, 2026, at approximately 2:45 p.m., New York State Police at Poughkeepsie responded to a report of a head-on motor vehicle crash involving a three-wheeled motorcycle in the area of Salt Point Turnpike and Van Wagner Road in the town of Pleasant Valley. A preliminary investigation conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Poughkeepsie and Troop K’s Collision Reconstruction Unit revealed that a 2025 Can-Am Spyder motorcycle, operated by William G. Coulston, 59, of Millbrook, New York, was traveling westbound on Salt Point Turnpike when it crossed the double yellow center line and struck a Mercedes-Benz head-on. The occupants of the Mercedes were not injured. Coulston succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital. The investigation remains ongoing.  Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-investigate-fatal-motorcycle-crash-pleasant-valley

Press Release On March 13, 2026, at approximately 5:31 p.m., New York State Troopers from the Narrowsburg barracks responded to a reported structure fire on Banaut Road in the Town of Fremont (corrected from Ulster)Sullivan County, New York. The preliminary investigation determined that a passerby contacted emergency services after observing a residence on Banuat Road on fire. The individual attempted to approach the residence but retreated due to the intense heat. Nearby residents subsequently called 911. Fire departments from multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Callicoon Fire District, Jeffersonville Fire Department, Roscoe Rockland Fire Station, Callicoon Center Firehouse, Hortonville Fire Company, North Branch Volunteer Fire Company, Hankins Fire Department, and the Sullivan County Fire Department. Upon arrival, troopers were advised that a resident might still be inside the single-family home. After the fire was extinguished, responders located a deceased male inside the residence. The victim was identified as Dennis R. Banuat, age 77, of Roscoe, New York. The preliminary investigation indicates the fire originated in the vicinity of a wood-burning stove. At this time, no evidence of criminal activity has been identified. The investigation remains ongoing pending the results of a final fire analysis. Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-investigate-fatal-structure-fire-town-fremont

Press Release The New York State Police at SP Horseheads report the arrest of a Horseheads woman following an investigation into the theft of funds from a local nonprofit organization. On March 9, 2026, Karen L. Curtis, age 58, of Horseheads, NY, was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny 3rd degree (D felony). The investigation began on February 13, 2026, after members of a local nonprofit organization reported suspected fraudulent financial activity involving their organization’s treasurer. An internal financial audit conducted by organization members revealed that more than $11,000 had been taken through unauthorized checks and credit card transactions beginning in 2023. On March 9, 2026, Curtis voluntarily responded to State Police at Horseheads, where she was arrested and processed without incident. She was subsequently arraigned in the Town of Big Flats Court and released on her own recognizance. Curtis is scheduled to return to Big Flats Town Court on April 6, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. The investigation remains ongoing. Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/horseheads-woman-arrested-stealing-over-11000-local-nonprofit-organization

Meet Captain Angela Holmes. Captain Holmes has proudly served the Syracuse Police Department for over 21 years. She has wanted to be a police officer for as long as she can remember... Captain Holmes was hired in 2005. She steadily worked her way through the ranks, earning promotions to Sergeant in 2015, Lieutenant in 2019, and, most recently, Captain in 2026. For Captain Holmes, Women’s Appreciation Month is especially meaningful. She hopes it shows that a woman in a male-dominated career field can succeed and lead with strength, dedication, and professionalism. Her career is a testament to perseverance, leadership, and the impact women make every day in law enforcement. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1369421701887797&set=a.217797457050233

State Comptroller Urges Increased Use of Outreach Data to Improve Shelter Placements and Outcomes March 11, 2026 In a report released today , State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli examined New York City’s expanded efforts to address the rise in its unsheltered (street homeless) population. The report recommends the city use the data it has collected through its expanded outreach, placement and services for the homeless to better explain where it has been most successful at moving people into permanent housing. Improving the efficiency of shelter placements is particularly important in the current budget environment as funding for street homeless programs is currently projected to remain relatively flat after Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the report noted. “The number of people living on the street in New York City has continued to grow, even as the city has been effective at providing shelter for the majority of the homeless population,” DiNapoli said. “The escalation in spending driven by the increase in the unsheltered population, however, merits greater focus on where resources are going and what services are working. Street homelessness is a chronic problem that requires collaborative efforts to help bring vulnerable New Yorkers into shelter and out of the cold.” As the only U.S. city legally required to provide emergency shelter to those who ask for it, New York faces unique challenges in addressing homelessness. Providing shelter to close to 97% of a homeless population that has grown 78% since 2019 to about 140,000 individuals, according to the city’s count — nearly double the homeless population in Los Angeles — is a notable achievement. The city’s approximate 3% rate of unsheltered homeless in 2024 (most recent data) is down from 5% in 2019 and second lowest among the 48 localities tracked by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). But even as the city provided shelter for more people, street homelessness continued to rise from 3,588 in FY 2019 to 4,504 in FY 2025. The city’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Street Homeless Solutions (SHS) division is tasked with overseeing outreach and related services to counter street homelessness. Spending on these efforts has more than tripled from $102 million in FY 2019 to $368 million in FY 2025, and is expected to reach $456 million in FY 2026, with planned spending declining to $442 million by FY 2029. Lowering Barriers to Shelter  The city has created “low-barrier” options – Safe Haven and stabilization beds – along with drop-in centers with showers to appeal to individuals who might otherwise be reluctant to go to shelters. These low-barrier options are meant to be a transitional first step toward more stable, independent living situations. Accounting for spending on these services is difficult, however, because DHS has consolidated its costs with outreach and other expenses. DiNapoli’s report estimates the city spent $72.3 million in FY 2019 and $285 million in FY 2025 on services that potentially contain low-barrier beds. This included $106 million for 900 new Safe Haven beds, which would raise the low-barrier bed capacity to 4,900. From FY 2023 to FY 2025, the average monthly low-barrier census has increased by 484 people, or 18% (annual data begins in FY 2021). Measuring Outcomes  DHS tracks progress in reducing the unsheltered population using three performance indicators in the Mayor’s Management Report (MMR): 1) its annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) count of unsheltered individuals, which is required for certain HUD funds; 2) quarterly reports on how many people outreach teams referred to placement into permanent housing, transitional housing, or other settings; and 3) the average number of clients in low-barrier beds. All three indicators have been on the rise, but each has limitations. The city’s annual HOPE count is often questioned because it only represents a point in time for a population that is constantly changing, and only counts homeless people in visible locations. Some critics have said it undercounts the population by as much as 40%. Greater utilization of HOME-STAT data and information on the geographic location of individuals counted may help identify areas with less coverage and improve outreach. The number of people placed into permanent or transitional housing has increased by more than 400% from 2,146 in FY 2017 to 10,841 in FY 2025. Referrals to shelter increased significantly after outreach programs were expanded in FY 2023. DiNapoli’s report notes that while tracking the number of placements is useful, the public data does not differentiate between placement in permanent vs. transitional housing, and it does not follow up to record how long an individual stayed after placement. This additional data would help give a clearer picture of outcomes and their success. The population in low barrier shelters averaged 2,100 a month in FY 2022 and grew to just over 3,000 a month in the first quarter of FY 2026. The report recommends the city publicly report pre-2022 numbers, before the unsheltered population began to rise, to allow better long-term tracking of outreach and placement efforts and their relative success in moving people toward permanent housing. While outreach has increased, engagement and outcome data is not nearly as detailed as it is for those who exit shelters. Among its recommendations, DiNapoli’s report suggests the DHS and the city: Increase information on the share of people who are engaged by outreach and refuse service to better understand the effectiveness of outreach strategies. Track outcomes for people who accept referrals and are placed into housing, including how long they stay and the share who transition to permanent housing and remain housed over time. Provide metrics on contract performance so the public can better assess how well DHS’ outreach and service vendors are doing, as well as the strength of the agency’s oversight. Ideally, this should include contract costs, timeliness of services after they are requested, DHS’ contract reviews and identified incidents of noncompliance with contract terms. Show unit costs for hotels, low-barrier beds, drop-in centers and other shelter options to facilitate an assessment of the cost effectiveness of each option. Currently the MMR blends unit cost data. Similarly, DHS could provide more details on the specific type of housing people are placed into and specify in quarterly reports the average number who are in low-barrier beds and which type (Safe Haven vs. stabilization). Report   NYC Government Services: Services for the Unsheltered Related Work   NYC Dept. of Social Services: Administration of the CityFHEPS Program for Homebase Clients (Jan. 2026)  Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance: Monitoring of Homeless Data (May 2025)  New Yorkers in Need: Homelessness in New York State (Jan. 2025)  NYC Dept. of Social Services: Administration of the CityFHEPS Program for Dept. of Homeless Services Shelter Residents (Oct. 2024) Original Post: https://www.osc.ny.gov/press/releases/2026/03/dinapoli-report-analyzes-increases-nycs-unsheltered-population-and-spending

February 27, 2026 The long-term decline in the number of individuals in state prisons has led to a demographic shift towards an older incarcerated population, and necessitates increased attention to policies and costs associated with this population, according to a report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today that examines post-COVID trends in the state’s aging prison population. “The share of older people in New York’s prisons has grown over time,” DiNapoli said. “We need careful evaluation of policies related to sentencing, parole, compassionate release, geriatric and health costs, and reentry support for this older population to determine an approach that ensures public safety and protects taxpayers, while reducing incarceration where warranted.” DiNapoli’s 2022 report on the prison population revealed that demographic changes in the state’s prison population over the last two decades led to an increasing share of older incarcerated individuals (aged 50 and over). The decline in the overall prison population accelerated with a drop of 26% (10,861 individuals) between March 2020 and March 2021, which included a decrease of 1,603 individuals aged 50 or over (17%). The share of older incarcerated individuals peaked at 24.3% in 2021. Since 2008, the average age of New York’s incarcerated population has risen by four years (40.2 years). One contributing factor is that a greater number of older incarcerated individuals are meeting their conditional release date in prison instead of being granted parole. Pre- and Post-COVID Shifts in Age Groups In 2022, there was another slight decline in the state’s prison population, but the three most recent data years (2023-2025) show a rise of 1,957 individuals in state prisons. The older prison population has remained relatively steady since 2022. As the overall prison population declined, the percentage of incarcerated individuals who are 50 and older increased. In 2019, this older population made up 21% of those incarcerated in New York, up from 12% in 2008. Between 2022 and 2025, as the size of the overall prison population increased, the share of older incarcerated individuals dropped from its 2021 peak to 22.3%. This is still 1.3 percentage points higher than it was in 2019. Since at least 2008, incarcerated individuals under the age of 50 account for more than 75% of the state’s prison population and more than 90% of its overall decline. The number of incarcerated people between the ages of 50 to 59 grew by 10% between 2008 and 2020, but declined 32% between 2020 to 2025. In contrast, those ages 60 to 69 years old and 70 years old and over have grown in number and as a share of the total population. Together, they were nearly 9% of the overall prison population in 2025. Prison Release and Recidivism for Older Incarcerated People As the prison population has declined, so has the overall number of releases per year. In 2024, older incarcerated individuals were released from prison at a lower rate (23.1%) than the total population (28.5%). Between 2019 and 2024, the share of conditional releases grew by 14 percentage points for the older incarcerated population to 48.6% of all releases. The share of releases for those aged 50 and over based on a discretionary Board of Parole decision has declined from 57.2% in 2019 to 48.9% in 2024. When older individuals are released into the community, data published by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) show they present lower rates of recidivism. For releases that occurred between 2008 and 2021, the rate of recidivism within three years for a new felony offense is 3.3% for those ages 60 to 69 and 1.7% for those age 70 and over. Costs for Older Incarcerated Individuals As healthcare costs have risen and New York’s incarcerated population has shrunk, the per person cost of health services spent by DOCCS has risen from $5,850 per person in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013 to $13,923 in SFY 2025, a 138% increase. More granular data that would allow for analysis of health care expenses for the older incarcerated population is not publicly available. As of SFY 2025, overall DOCCS’ healthcare spending has risen to $450.6 million, $53.9 million higher than the previous peak in SFY 2017. Recent Policy Changes Since 2017, New York has enacted and implemented a series of criminal justice changes, such as Raise the Age, limits on pre-trial detention, limits on parole revocations, and the legalization of cannabis. These changes may not have had as much of an impact on older incarcerated individuals as they did on younger individuals. Medical Parole and Compassionate Release are also available for people in prison who have serious medical conditions and pose no reasonable danger to society. DOCCS’ most recent annual report on Medical Parole indicated that, of the 138 medical parole applications submitted to the Board of Parole from 2018 to 2022, 84% (116) were for individuals aged 50 or older. Compassionate Release provides the board discretion to release an incarcerated individual who has already served the minimum period of their indeterminate sentence, has previously appeared before the board and been denied, and later is medically certified as so debilitated (terminal or significantly incapacitated) that they pose no reasonable danger to society. Other initiatives have been introduced in the state legislature that would allow some people aged 55 or older to be considered for parole, would expand merit time for earlier release of incarcerated individuals, or would provide a second look at long sentences. Report Post-COVID Trends in New York’s Aging Prison Population Related Reports:  New York State’s Aging Prison Population Original Post: https://www.osc.ny.gov/press/releases/2026/02/dinapoli-report-examines-post-covid-trends-new-yorks-aging-prison-population