“Invest to Protect Act” Funding for Public Safety

NEW PALTZ – Congressman Pat Ryan joined local law enforcement to discuss the crucial funding for public safety included in the “Invest to Protect Act.”

“Our police departments protect our communities but often lack the resources necessary to carry out the enormous responsibilities entrusted to them,” said Representative Pat Ryan. “This bill addresses that problem directly, providing funding to small and midsize police departments across New York’s 19th Congressional district so that they can continue to keep our communities safe. Sometimes the politicians down in DC make things more complicated than they have to be. But this one is a no-brainer. We’re gathered today with a simple message: we need to get this bipartisan bill to the President’s desk and signed into law.”

“Our local law enforcement plays a critical role in keeping our upstate families and towns safe,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery Smith. “The funding from this legislation is an investment in our officers and will help them better protect our communities. I am happy to support Congressman Ryan in this bipartisan effort and look forward to working together to ensure local law enforcement agencies have the training and resources they need.”

“I commend Congressman Pat Ryan for supporting the “Invest to Protect Act,” said Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa. “The passage of this bill is a crucial step towards making our communities safer while ensuring a more transparent relationship between law enforcement and the people they serve. An investment in our police departments with training and mental health services is an investment in the overall well-being of communities. This is a win-win situation.”

“When legislators and law enforcement work together, the community benefits,” said Columbia County Sheriff Don Krapf. “This is an exciting time in history, one where we, in the public service profession, can work collaboratively with Government officials to effect positive change in the quality of life in the geographical areas we serve.”

Congressman Ryan also announced over $2.6 million in federal funding for local law enforcement and public safety initiatives, provided through the federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

“This funding for the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office and the Hyde Park Police Department is a critical investment in public safety,” said Representative Pat Ryan. “Together, it represents more than $2.6 million in federal support for programs like body worn cameras, law enforcement diversion programs for substance abuse disorder, and community-based treatment to combat the opioid epidemic. I’m looking forward to working directly with communities across New York’s 19th Congressional District to implement these important initiatives and help keep New Yorkers safe.”

“I am very excited about the Town of Hyde Park Police Department receiving this important funding for a much-needed program,” said Hyde Park Chief of Police Robert Benson. “An often forgotten benefit of body worn cameras relates to combating domestic violence. With this investment, we will be able to document the injury and condition of victims on site, which has been shown to significantly decrease case processing time. This grant will be a huge help to both the District Attorney and anti-domestic violence advocates.”