ALBANY – Funding secured through the recently adopted state budget has resulted in $1.5 million headed to Putnam County’s law enforcement agencies.
Assemblyman Matt Slater called resources needed to protect communities a top priority. “By investing in the latest technology and equipment, we are addressing the needs of law enforcement agencies as they work to safeguard the future of our state.”
The funds will enable police departments and sheriffs’ offices to purchase new technology and equipment while modernizing their operations. The grants cover a range of equipment and technology, including license plate readers, mobile and fixed camera systems, computer-aided dispatch systems, software, unmanned aerial vehicles, gunshot detection devices and smart equipment for patrol vehicles and police officers.
Funding received in Putnam includes: $81,500 for the Brewster Police Department; $408,840 for the Carmel Police Department; $119,412 for the Putnam Sheriff’s Department; $150,290 for the Kent Police Department and $255,000 for the Putnam Bureau of Emergency Services 911 Center.
Kent Police Chief Kevin Owens said Lt. Alex VanderWoude applied for much-needed computers, cameras, scanners and other equipment through the DCJS Law Enforcement Tech Grant.
He said the equipment will be used in everything from daily patrols to long-term investigations and for documenting crime scenes and automobile incidents. Sheriff Kevin McConville explained that his department relies on “evolving technology to augment and enhance public safety. These funds will provide valuable support to some of our existing programs.”
Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffman said his department will use its new funding to upgrade its computer aided dispatch and records keeping software, as well as to acquire a new unmanned aerial drone to aid in suspect and missing persons searches, a 3D laser vehicle accident and crime scene mapping scanner to aid our detectives and computerized traffic data collection equipment to help keep town roads safe.
