Sen. Alesi & Rochester Delegation Announce $10 Million For New Crime Lab

The New York State Senate delegation representing Monroe County today announced that they have secured $10 million in funding for the construction of a new Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory.

The announcement was made at a news conference in Rochester by State Senators Joe Robach, Michael Nozzolio, Jim Alesi, and George Maziarz, who were joined by Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, as well as by Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and Monroe County Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn.

The funding announced today will be used for capital costs associated with the construction of the new crime lab. The Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory is a regional resource that serves law enforcement agencies in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates Counties. The laboratory provides scientific analysis of forensic evidence for law enforcement and other public safety entities.

"I’m excited to join my colleagues in announcing the $10 million in funding for the construction of a new Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory, which furthers our commitment to helping law enforcement professionals protect our community," said Senator Jim Alesi. "With this state-of-the-art safety laboratory, criminals will be brought to justice and law abiding citizens can be assured of a higher level of protection."

"I am proud to join with my State Senate colleagues, County Executive Brooks and Sheriff O’Flynn to announce this very important funding to support the Monroe County crime lab," said Senator Joe Robach. "We remain committed to ensuring the safety of our residents in the Rochester area and throughout this region. This new crime lab will greatly assist our men and women in law enforcement in solving crimes, protecting our citizens and taking violent criminals off our streets."

State Senator Michael Nozzolio said, "This state-of-the-art facility will provide our local law enforcement with 21st century technology to solve crimes and put violent felons behind bars. Collecting and studying forensic evidence is the future of law enforcement and the work done at the crime lab will help to convict the guilty while sparing the innocent. It was a pleasure to work with Maggie Brooks, Sheriff O’Flynn and my Senate colleagues in making this wise investment to reduce crime in our region."

Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) said, "Capital projects like building the new crime lab require a team effort. Monroe County’s team in the State Senate worked together to find these key financial resources and bring the money back home. I can’t think of a more worthy purpose for this aid than to make it possible for our law enforcement and public safety communities to do their important work."

"The new crime lab is a critically important project, not just for Rochester and Monroe County, but for the entire region and I applaud Senators Robach, Nozzolio, Alesi and Maziarz for working with local officials to identify this need and making it happen," Senator Bruno said. "I also want to thank Senators Dale Volker, Cathy Young and George Winner for their support. The regional crime lab will bring the latest, state-of-the-art technology to help solve crimes, catch criminals and, ultimately, protect the public."

"The new crime lab is a critically important project, not just for Rochester and Monroe County, but for the entire region and I applaud Senators Robach, Nozzolio, Alesi and Maziarz for working with local officials to identify this need and making it happen," Senator Bruno said. "I also want to thank Senators Dale Volker, Cathy Young and George Winner for their support. The regional crime lab will bring the latest, state-of-the-art technology to help solve crimes, catch criminals and, ultimately, protect the public."

"We are very grateful to our local Senate Delegation for this much-needed funding for the new Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory," said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. "This project is a critical public safety tool for Monroe County and the City of Rochester, as well as for other counties in our region. With this funding, we are one step closer to building a modern forensics lab. This project clearly would not have been possible without the generous support of our State Senate delegation."

"On behalf of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and our local law enforcement community, I thank the State Senate for helping us move forward on the crime lab project," said Monroe County Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn. "An up-to-date, well-equipped crime lab can quickly and efficiently carry out forensic testing, fingerprint analysis, ballistics testing, and much more. This will ultimately improve public safety in our area, making our region an even safer place to live, work, and raise a family."

"The Monroe County Crime Lab is one of the finest facilities in the entire state and has significantly provided law enforcement professionals with cutting edge technology to solve crimes, improve prosecution efforts, and contribute to the region's crime stopping initiatives," said Senator Dale M. Volker. "Technologies and protocols must evolve as crime evolves. This infusion of state financial resources into this facility is a regional investment that will allow law enforcement to remain technologically advanced and suited for future crimes and the evidence that is left behind."

"New York State local forensic laboratories have been challenged in recruiting, selecting and retaining the best forensic scientists," said Senator Cathy Young. "This funding is essential for program costs at the DNA Academies and will provide needed skills and NYS Forensic licensure that will be maintained by annual professional development programs."

"I’m grateful for the chance to join my Monroe County colleagues to secure this critical state investment in regional public safety and law enforcement. It’s part of our ongoing, fundamental commitment to local law officers and community safety across New York," said Senator George Winner. (R-C-I, Elmira)

Established in 1961, the Crime Lab moved to its current facility on the fifth floor of the Monroe County Public Safety Building in 1963. The Public Safety Building has not undergone major renovations since then, resulting in a lack of space at the facility as well as many building systems needing replacement.

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks created a Crime Lab Task Force in January 2005. The task force developed a draft report for the County Executive including recommendations for the location, design, and functions of a new crime lab. In January 2007, with the approval of the Monroe County Legislature, the County hired LaBella Associates to develop a master plan for the project based on the recommendations of the task force.

The Crime Lab Task Force will reconvene in June to review the master plan, which will include site recommendations, capital and operating cost estimates, and conceptual design drawings for the laboratory.

Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin at the end of 2009, and will be completed in 2011.

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