Ritchie Delivers $75,000 to Improve Safety, Fight Drugs in Oswego, Jefferson Counties

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has secured $75,000 in special state funding for law enforcement and emergency service programs in Jefferson and Oswego Counties, which will help them to improve community safety and enhance their efforts in the fight against drugs.

Funding delivered by Senator Ritchie will allow local law enforcement agencies and other emergency responders to purchase equipment that will help them be better protected in emergency situations, improve efficiency and strengthen community safety.

“With an uptick in drug use across our region, we need to provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to stop the spread of heroin and other illegal substances into our communities,” said Senator Patty Ritchie. 

“I’m pleased to be able to provide these funds to help our police agencies and emergency service volunteers keep our communities safe, and would like to thank them for all the important work they do.”

Law enforcement agencies and rescue squad receiving the special funding are as follows:

Oswego County

$50,000 – Oswego County Sheriff’s Department

$10,000 – Phoenix Police Department

$5,000 – Pulaski Police Department

Jefferson County

$5,000 – Cape Vincent Police Department

$2,500 – Antwerp Police Department

$2,500 – South Jefferson Rescue Squad Inc. 

“We cannot thank Senator Ritchie enough for the funding she secured for our department,” said Oswego County Sheriff  Reuel Todd, “Not only is this funding vital to our ongoing fight to combat illegal substances in the county, but it will play a large role in our ongoing efforts against crime and violence and help keep our residents safe.”

“As everyone knows, it’s important to have quality and up to date rescue and safety equipment when we answer a call for help,” said South Jefferson Rescue Squad Executive Director Deborah Singleton. “We really appreciate Senator Ritchie’s efforts in getting this funding to help our organization.”

“Being a small town police department, funding for equipment can often be hard to come by as we work to keep our community peaceful and safe,” said Cape Vincent Police Department Officer in Charge Thomas Strejlau. “We are grateful to Senator Ritchie for this funding allowing us to purchase new radios and  protective gear for our officers.”

Previously, Senator Ritchie secured $20,000 in special funding for the Black River/Evans Mills Police Department for the purchase of a new police car as well as $70,000 in funding to assist with drug counseling efforts in  Oswego and Jefferson County school districts.