Law Enforcement Agencies in Chautauqua County and the City of Jamestown Slated for State Funding

Albany, NY – Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – 57th District) has announced that $100,000 is on its way to Chautauqua County law enforcement agencies to assist in their drug interdiction efforts. The funding, $75,000 for the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force in Chautauqua County and $25,000 for anti-drug and crime prevention in the City of Jamestown, was secured by Senator Young in the 2017-18 state budget.

“Our local law enforcement agencies have the enormous responsibility of protecting our communities and citizens from crime and all manner of threats to public safety. With the emergence of the heroin and opioid crisis, the challenges and dangers faced by our dedicated law enforcement officers have never been greater. This funding will support their critically important work, ensuring extra resources are available to help combat this epidemic,” said Senator Young.

The $75,000 in funding for the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department supports the cost of a deputy sheriff position within the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force. The Task Force brings together the New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies for regional drug investigations. A focus of the Task Force is to identify, arrest and prosecute high level dealers and secure maximum prison terms. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration office in Buffalo and the U.S. Attorney’s office are also part of this coordinated approach.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace said, “Senator Young understands the gravity of the drug crisis we are facing and has worked time and again, to secure funding that will help us in our battle against the heroin dealers who are perpetrating this devastating epidemic and destroying many young lives. She has always been an advocate for our law enforcement community and we are very grateful.”

The City of Jamestown is slated to receive $25,000 which will support the purchase of equipment for the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force. Chief of Police Harry Snellings said, “In the fight to make our streets safer by putting drug dealers and criminals behind bars, we need all available resources. This funding will help us ensure our officers have the tools they need to combat the drug epidemic plaguing our community. I would like to thank Senator Young for this latest support, as well as her ongoing commitment to our law enforcement community.
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