Senator Gallivan Announces Funding to Support Public Safety

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announced he has secured additional state funding to support various public safety initiatives throughout the 59th Senate District. The aid is being provided to community based agencies, police departments and fire companies to maintain existing programs and to purchase new equipment or technology upgrades for law enforcement and emergency services.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our citizens and the communities in which we live,” Gallivan said. “As Chairman of the Senate’s committee on Crime, Crime Victims and Correction, I know firsthand how important it is to make sure our police and fire departments have the resources they need to do their job and how programs that prevent crime or support victims of crime play a vital role in our neighborhoods.”

During the recently completed legislative session, Senator Gallivan secured a total of $408,871 through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, including $100,000 in funding for the First Time, Last Time program administered by the National Federation for Just Communities. The program is designed to assist youth between the ages of 16-21 who become involved in the criminal justice system, with a goal to reduce recidivism.

The Family Justice Center, which provides free services for domestic violence victims and their children, will also receive $100,000 in funding.

“The state funding secured by Senator Gallivan enables the Family Justice Center to provide critical and unique services to victims of domestic violence and abuse,” said Executive Director Mary Travers Murphy. “The dollars fund our Forensic Medical Unit which documents client injuries via digital pictures and electronic body mapping providing key evidence for the Erie County District Attorney’s office for victims who want to hold their abuser accountable. In addition, the dollars cover the cost of video conferencing from our centers directly to Family Court enabling clients to secure orders of protection without having to travel to court. We are forever grateful to the senator for his continued commitment, support and determination to let victims of abuse know we are doing everything in our power to help them secure safe havens, healing and justice.”

Elsewhere, $10,000 in funding is being provided to Chances & Changes, Inc., which provides confidential assistance to victims of domestic violence in Livingston County, including emergency safety services such as shelter and a 24-hour hotline.

“With the assistance of Senator Gallivan, Chances and Changes, Inc. has been able to partially support a preventive program where appropriate families receive a variety of services delivered by an experienced and licensed social worker,” said Executive Director Karen Tremer. “These services not only address current family violence and safety issues but also have the ultimate goal of not only significantly reducing further problems within the families we work with but also reducing violence and child abuse in the future as these children grow and have relationships and families of their own.”

Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled and Disadvantaged of WNY will receive $20,000 to support its ongoing program to provide civil legal services to seniors, the disabled and low income individuals throughout the area.

Several police and fire agencies will also receive funding to purchase equipment or to support training. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office will use $18,000 to purchase GPS locators for department vehicles.

“Public and deputy safety are my office’s top priorities and the installation of these locators accomplishes both priorities simultaneously,” said Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard. “These vehicle locators will enable our dispatchers to determine where the closest vehicle is and dispatch the deputy to the incident. The dispatchers will also have the ability to view other law enforcement agencies in the area that can be dispatched to the scene if the incident escalates and a deputy’s safety is threatened.”

The following agencies will also receive funding:

• Wyoming County Sheriff, $10,000 for training for its Mounted Division.

• SUNY Geneseo Police Department, $5,400 for new radio equipment.

• Morton’s Corners Fire Department, $15,000 to purchase an ATV.

• Avon Fire Department, $10,000 for an Access Control System.

• Depew Fire Department, $4,800 for an AED unit.

• South Wales Fire Department, $6,800 for a thermal imaging camera.

As previously announced, Senator Gallivan secured $108,871 in funding for the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, West Seneca Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office to support School Resource Officers at several local school districts.

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