Senator Fred Akshar announces public protection funding across the 52nd Senate District

Senator Fred Akshar joined local officials from the Broome and Tioga County Sheriff’s Offices, the City of Binghamton, City of Norwich and the Village of Johnson City and the Crime Victims Assistance Center to announce public protection state grants to aid local municipalities, police and fire departments purchase equipment, expand services and strengthen community outreach.

“Our community is fortunate to have a strong and supportive relationship with law enforcement and emergency services,” said Senator Fred Akshar. “I want to make sure I do my part as state senator to help strengthen that relationship, increase transparency and give our police and emergency services the tools they need to better protect and serve our community.”

Twenty-four grants totaling over $300,000 will be spread across local agencies in Broome, Tioga, Chenango, and Delaware counties. Each grant’s purpose is unique to the department, with uses ranging from substance abuse counseling for the Broome County Sheriff’s Office to body cameras for the Norwich Police Department to technology upgrades for the City of Binghamton and Village of Johnson City police departments.

“The Binghamton Police Department will utilize this grant to bolster our community outreach programs and invest in new technology to improve crime scene investigations in the field,” said Mayor Richard C. David.

“The Norwich Police Department will use this grant funding to acquire the necessary equipment to implement a body-worn camera program,” said Norwich City Police Chief Rodney Marsh.

“The Village of Johnson City Police department will use these funds to upgrade our in car technology and to launch our body camera program,” said Johnson City Mayor Greg Deemie.

“This grant will assist our continuing fight against opioid abuse in two very important ways,” said Broome County Undersheriff Eric Janis. “It will help us provide additional substance abuse counseling in the jail in an effort to break the pattern of substance abuse that leads to re-incarceration. It will also let us improve the naloxone kits our Deputies carry on patrol.”

“With this funding, we’ll be able to move forward in purchasing much-needed evidence collection equipment and an evidence vehicle,” said Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard.

The grants also include funding for the domestic violence and legal services through the Crime Victims Assistance Center and A New Hope Center.

“Today, Senator Akshar has stepped up to help victims of domestic violence and their children,” said Crime Victims Assistance Center Executive Director Raini Baudendistel. “Because of his efforts, the Crime Victims Assistance Center, is able to continue providing necessary services and support to any Broome County resident who reaches out to us.”

“These grants are about helping protect our families, but they also help keep taxes low by easing the burden on local government,” said Senator Fred Akshar. “That savings is passed on to the taxpayers across the 52nd Senate District.”

Grants are administered through the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services.

The full list of grants is as follows.

Police Grants: City of Norwich Police Department $50,000 – Body Cameras; Village of Johnson City Police Department $50,000 – In-Car Technology Upgrades and Body Cameras; Broome County Sheriff’s Office $25,000 – Substance Abuse Counseling, Narcan Nasal Spray and Community Outreach; Chenango County Sheriff’s Office $25,000 – Prescription Drug Drop Boxes and Child ID System; City of Binghamton Police Department $25,000 – Handheld Digital 3D Scanner for Crime Scenes and Overtime for Community and Minority Outreach Program; Tioga County Sheriff’s Office $25,000 – Evidence Collection Vehicle and Supplies; Village of Hancock Police Department $5,000 – Radio Communication and Video Recording System Upgrades.

Fire Department Grants: Afton Hose Company $5,000 – Utility Truck for Towing, Brush Fire and Traffic Control; Berkshire Fire District $5,000 – Radio Equipment; Coventry Volunteer Fire Co. $5,000 – SCBA Bottles and Fire Equipment; Genegantslet Fire Company, Inc. $5,000 – Structural and Woodland Firefighting Hoses; Glen Aubrey Fire Company, Inc. $5,000 – Updated Fire Police and Communication Equipment; Guilford Fire District $5,000 – Emergency Shelter Improvements; Lisle Fire Company $5,000 – Equipment; Nichols Fire Department $5,000 – EMS Equipment; Ouaquaga Fire Co., Inc. $5,000 – Thermal Imaging Equipment; Preston Fire Department $5,000 – Extraction Equipment; Richford Fire Department $5,000 – Radio Equipment; Triangle Fire Co., Inc. $5,000 – Safety Equipment; Village of Deposit Fire Department $5,000 – A.E.D. & Rescue Equipment; Village of Whitney Point Fire Department $5,000 – Replacement Motor on Fire Rescue Boat.

Crime Victims Support Grants: Crime Victims Assistance Center – $20,000 – Civil Criminal Domestic Violence Legal Services; A New Hope Center – $15,000 – Domestic Violence Services; Crime Victims Assistance Center – $10,000 – Domestic Violence Services.