POUGHKEEPSIE – Sarah Salem, the chairperson of the Poughkeepsie Common Council, was in city court on Thursday for another hearing on her February 26, 2020 DWI arrest. Salem’s case has been delayed as a result of the pandemic-related court closings for several months.
City of Poughkeepsie police arrested Salem after they responded to a two-car accident on the night of February 26 involving the city lawmaker. During their investigation, officers determined that Salem had been operating her car while under the influence of alcohol. Further investigation indicated that Salem ran a red light and struck another vehicle. The operator of the second vehicle has undergone lengthy medical treatment since the accident.
During Thursday’s proceeding in front of Judge Frank Mora, one of the attorneys advised the judge that Salem, who identifies herself as ‘non-binary’ prefers the pronouns of ‘they or them’. Judge Mora responded, saying “I will not be using a plural pronoun for a singular person.”
City of Poughkeepsie Police Officer Simmons was called to the stand to give testimony regarding the collision and subsequent arrest of Salem. Simmons was the arresting officer and is well-versed in the processes involved in a DWI arrest. Asked how he determined that Salem was intoxicated, the officer said that he initially detected “a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the mouth area,” referring to Salem’s mouth.
Simmons also testified that Salem failed parts of the Standardized Field Sobriety Test established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The test consists of three segments; horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk and turn, and one-leg stand tests. Simmons testified that Salem failed the walk and turn portion. The test requires the suspect to take nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line and then turning and repeating the process in the other direction. According to Simmons, she failed to maintain contact between the heel of one foot and the toe of the other.
Salem was taken into custody and transported to the police station where a breathalyzer was administered and indicated that Salem’s BAC was .08 percent.
The next court appearance is scheduled for November 13.
Subsequent to the public being made aware of Salem’s arrest, several city residents have taken to protesting in front of Salem’s residence, place of employment, and other public places where Salem has been sighted.
On Saturday, Jamar Cummings located Salem on Academy Street while she was in line for early voting. Cummings took to the street to let the hundreds of people in line know that Salem was there. With intermittent chants of “Hey hey ho ho, Sarah Salem’s got to go,” the protester called for Salem’s resignation. “If she would just resign, I wouldn’t have to do this,” said Cummings as he told those on line that they need to “hold your politicians to a higher standard – don’t let them get away with their criminal behavior.”
