Sheriff Joseph Wasser meets with
Monticello Human Rights CommissionBy TOM RUE
MONTICELLO - It was a quiet meeting of the Village of Monticello Human Rights Commission, on January 21, when Sullivan County sheriff Joseph Wasser met to provide commissioners with an overview of the services provided by his department.
Before delving into the 1000-year history of sheriffs in English common law, and structure of county law-enforcement in Sullivan, Wasser urged the commission to refer to the Monticello village attorney a complaint filed in November by Trina Jackson of Monticello, "rather than referring it to someone who's not familiar with the law."
HRC chair Clifford Moore of Woodbourne, a gym teacher at Monticello High School, reported that he investigated Jackson's allegation that she was denied the opportunity to rent a dwelling in Monticello because she is black. Uncertainty was expressed over whether a security deposit is required for Section 8 federal housing. Moore said he was unsure, as did vice-chair Greg Feicht. Despite Wasser's suggestion, the HRC took no further action on the matter.
"This is an excellent group," Wasser told the commissioners, proceeding to describe the work and makeup of the sheriff's department.
Wasser said he oversees a staff of 149 police officers, peace officers, and others. Police officers receive 470 hours of academy training, he said, and have jurisdiction throughout the county. Comparing his officers to New York State Police, whose department benefits financially from each citation troopers issue, Wasser pointed out that proceeds of traffic fines issued locally go to the towns. "We'd rather not give a ticket and help someone out," he said.
Sheriff's deputies patrol over 1000 square miles in Sullivan, Wasser said.
The county jail presently houses 168 inmates, including an all-time-high of 18 females, Wasser stated. Commissioner Jesse York noted that he corresponded recently with Wasser about conditions for visitors waiting outside the jail in the cold. Wasser pledged to set up a tarp or other temporary structure for visitor comfort. The capacity of the visitor's room, at 20, is nearly three times what it before facilities were expanded. Still, Wasser said, people are sometimes required to wait outside.
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