Ritchie Helps Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Update Technology

Brian Dwyer

September 26, 2019

To help the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office keep up with current technology, State Senator Patty Ritchie is announcing she has secured $15,000 in special funding that will allow the Sheriff’s Office to update computers inside its detective vehicle fleet.

“Whether it is an emergency situation or the need for immediate information, our law enforcement officers cannot be slowed down by inadequate technology. The information they get from their in-vehicle computers—and how fast they get it—can be the difference in making an arrest or even saving a life,” Senator Ritchie said.

“I want to thank all of our law enforcement officials for the work they do and I cannot think of a better way to do that than to ensure they have the tools they need to continue protecting all of us here in Northern New York.”

“Every year that our equipment ages, is another year we either have to make a significant investment into upgrades, use outdated equipment or frankly, go without,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Colleen O’Neill. “To ensure the safety of our communities, our detectives must have the tools they need. This funding is yet another example of Senator Ritchie doing what she can to make sure our brave detectives and deputies can not only keep people safe, but better protect themselves as well.”

This funding continues Senator Ritchie’s efforts to assist local law enforcement and other first responders protect our communities, including the delivery of hundreds of thousands of dollars for equipment upgrades across the 48th Senate District. In addition, Senator Ritchie teams up with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office each year to collect thousands of pounds of unwanted or expired medications from medicine cabinets during her Drug Take Back and Senior Health and Wellness Fairs.