Larkin Secures $81,000 Grant For O.c. Sheriff's Office

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) has secured a grant in the amount of $81,000 for the Narcotics Investigation Unit of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Goshen. The funding was awarded under the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program.

"I am pleased to have been a part of the effort to secure this grant for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office," said Senator Larkin. "These funds will serve a very specific purpose in the fight to keep our streets safer. I commend our local law enforcement officers who are out in our communities every day doing a tremendous job to protect our neighborhoods and our citizens."

Funding will be used toward the purchase of a surveillance van for the County. The van will target narcotics operations, and other operations including the investigation and arrest of individuals involved in gang activity and the illegal possession of weapons.

Orange County Sheriff Carl E. DuBois said, "As usual, we can always count on Senator Larkin to realize the needs of law enforcement in Orange County. The equipment purchased will enhance our County-Wide narcotics operations, and in turn continue to preserve the safety, security, and quality of life in our communities."

"Once again Senator Larkin has come through for Orange County," said County Executive Edward A. Diana. "These funds will go a long way towards strengthening our efforts to fight drugs and crime in Orange County."

Chief Criminal Investigator Gregory T. Gaetano said, "The grant allocations will be used to acquire equipment that will enable our Narcotics Unit to assist local municipalities with their narcotics enforcement initiatives, crime reduction strategies and intelligence sharing capabilities."

The Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program was created to help state and local law enforcement prevent and control crime and violence. Byrne supported programs have been instrumental in reducing crime levels, as well as the demand for drugs; improving public safety; increasing interagency collaboration; and enhancing offender treatment services.