Protecting The Public: Ritchie Delivers over $155,000 To Combat The Spread Of Drugs, Improve Safety In St. Lawrence County

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has delivered more than $155,000 in special funding to help stop the spread of drugs in St. Lawrence County, as well as improve community safety in the North Country. 

Funding secured by Senator Ritchie will help bolster the efforts of the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department—including the Drug Task Force—as well as the City of Ogdensburg Police Department, Ogdensburg Rescue Squad and St. Lawrence County/Reachout for crisis intervention. 

“Each and every day, law enforcement and emergency responders are on the front lines of fighting crime—including dangerous situations involving drugs—and working to keep the people of our communities safe,” said Senator Ritchie. 

 “I am pleased to be able to provide this funding, which not only will help to ensure they have the resources needed to safeguard the public, but also will help make it easier for local government to balance its budget without placing an additional burden on taxpayers.”

A portion of funds allocated for the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department have been used to purchase two new patrol vehicles that will help increase the efficiency and safety of deputies.

“At a time when the county is struggling financially, our department is extremely grateful for the funding secured by Senator Ritchie that will not only help us in our normal, day- to- day operations but also will allow the drug task force to continue its efforts to end the infiltration of  heroin and other illegal substances being brought into our communities,” said St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells.

Law enforcement agencies and rescue squads receiving the special funding and their amounts are as follows:

$105,000: St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department;

$25,000: St. Lawrence County/Reachout

$22,886: City of Ogdensburg Police Department;

 $2,500: Ogdensburg Rescue Squad

The funding represents Senator Ritchie’s ongoing efforts to support local law enforcement, emergency responders and fire departments throughout Central and Northern New York. Over the summer Senator Ritchie also announced she secured $650,000 in funding to purchase radios and other emergency equipment for first responders and fire departments across St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties.