Author: W. Timothy Luce

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce has issued a Travel Advisory. This travel advisory is issued as a result of the National Weather Service’s Hazardous Weather forecast for Seneca County.
This Travel Advisory is in effect from Friday, December 23rd through Saturday, December 24th. This advisory does not restrict travel. It is, however, a warning to motorists that hazardous driving conditions may exist. Law enforcement will be monitoring the road conditions throughout this period for changes.
Expect wind gusts of between 35 – 45 MPH starting this evening with rain. Expect artic cold, with temperatures dropping into the teens making subzero wind chill Friday early afternoon. With these conditions expect the roads to be slippery and possible power outages in the area.
For the safety of all residents, the general public is encouraged to consider the need to be on the roads during these times and to use extreme caution while traveling in and around Seneca County.

Seneca County Sheriff W. Timothy Luce has issued a high water advisory for Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake. The high water advisory includes a “no wake zone” within 500 feet of shore when traveling on the lake. Also the Seneca  County Sheriff Luce  advises to be aware of floating debris in the water. The high water advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Sheriff Timothy Luce is issuing a no unnecessary travel Advisory in Seneca County. It is recommended that citizens do not engage in unnecessary travel. Roads in Seneca County are open but are snow covered and slipper. Citizens are advised to drive slowly and allow extra time to travel if need be. Deputies are continuing to monitor the roadways and check for stranded motorists off the road or in the ditch. This no unnecessary travel advisory will remain in place until 9:00 A.M. Saturday 2/8/2020.

Also See the attached explanation of Seneca County Travel orders.

Seneca County Emergency Travel Restrictions

The first two restrictions can be issued by the County Sheriff or Emergency Management Director to warn the public of hazardous road conditions. (1) Travel Advisory; caution is advised since hazardous conditions could be encountered. (2) No Unnecessary Travel; Hazardous driving conditions exist and o unnecessary travel is recommended. This restriction is not mandatory and is left to the traveling public to decide their comfort zone on the roadways, however, if it is essential to travel, do so with caution in considering the changing weather conditions. The next two can be enacted by the following. The Sheriff may close the roads by declaring a State of Special Emergency under General Municipal Law (209-F), or the Chairman of the legislative board declares a State Of Emergency under Executive Law Article 2B when conditions are so hazardous they could threaten life and/ or property. (3) Road closed Except for Essential Travel; travel is limited to medical personnel, Fire, Law Enforcement, Emergency services and personnel essential to the emergency and those on their way to and from performing essential acts associated with the preservation of life and/or property. (4) Roads Closed Except for Emergency Travel; Travel is limited to emergency vehicles or vehicles on their way to and from performing emergency acts associated with the preservation of life and/or property.

Seneca County Sheriff W. Timothy Luce would like to advise the residence of Seneca County of the severity of the impending storm starting this morning and continuing into Saturday. Snow fall is expected to fall at a rate of 2-3 inches of snow per hour for a period of 4-6 hours. Roads will become snow covered and slippery throughout the day.

A travel advisory will be placed in effect from 7:00 A.M. today until 9:00 A.M. Saturday. The roads will be snow covered and slippery but passable with caution.

If you do not have to travel that is advised so plows can continue to clear the roads unobstucted.

On 06/28/2019 Adam T Bowen, age 25, of Geneva N.Y. was charged by the Geneva Police Department for:

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree &

Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree

Bowen is a Corrections Officer at the Seneca County Correctional Facility. He has been employed there since July 2015.

On June 11^th, 2019 the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office initiated an internal investigation into certain activities and conduct of this Officer. The law prevents any details of this investigation from being released. At this same time the Geneva Police Department was conducting a Criminal Investigation involving Bowen.

Internal Investigations are conducted by our Professional Conduct Unit and are separate from the Criminal Investigation. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office were detailed to assist Geneva Police Department with their investigation.

On 06/28/2019 at 7:00 AM. Bowen was taken into custody at the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office by Sheriff’s Investigators. He was immediately suspended without pay at which time he immediately resigned. He was then transported to the Geneva Police Department and turned over to their detectives.

It is a sad day when you have to investigate your own people but a necessary part of maintaining a transparent and credible Office. Adam Bowen is innocent until proven guilty but at the very least he appears to have committed acts that are a betrayal to the Sheriff’s Office and his sister and brother Corrections Officers.

It is with a saddened heart that I make this report. It’s a black eye to all of law enforcement and that’s what is most upsetting. Our goal is to make the Sheriff’s office a safe and fair place to work for everyone. We expect everyone here to follow the law. My hopes are that the public will continue to have confidence and trust in all enforcement in our area as do I.

.I would like to thank the Geneva Police Department, Chief Passalaqua and his team for their excellent and thorough investigation of this matter.

This case remains open and active. Anyone with information is requested to contact: the Geneva Police Department or the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff W. Timothy Luce

Sheriffs’ Marine patrols reporting that with the heavy rains this week combined with today’s downpour many creeks and gulley’s that empty into the Seneca and Cayuga Lakes have washed assorted debris into the lakes, and they can be a floating hazard to navigation. Boaters are cautioned to be observant of floating tree limbs, branches, logs, misc. debris in the water.

A reminder that it’s the NYS Navigation Law on Cayuga and Seneca Lake to be no more than 5 mph boating within 100 feet of shore. Any hidden obstructions will likely be inside those distances.

“The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office along with the Seneca County Office of Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory for Seneca County until 6pm tonight. Seneca County is currently under a Flash Flood Watch. Please use caution when traveling throughout the county due to flooded roadways. If you come across a flooded roadway, do NOT attempt to drive through it. Vehicles can float with a very insignificant amount of water. Remember the phrase, “turn around, don’t drown”. “

Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Luce is pleased to announce that his office has recently hosted a Marine Law Enforcement Training, held on June 10-12, 2019.

Instructors from Marine Services Bureau, a division of New York state Parks, came to Seneca County at the Sheriffs request.The Marine Services Unit gave instruction to Deputies and Officers from the Seneca County, Ontario County, Cayuga County and Steuben County Sheriff’s Offices as well as Officers from the New York State Park police. Members received classroom instruction in New York State Marine Law and its enforcement at the Seneca County Law Enforcement Center and practical Vessel operations were conducted on Seneca Lake and the Cayuga Seneca canal.