POUGHKEEPSIE – Congressman Pat Ryan joined with Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino, and Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi to announce their joint efforts to bolster public safety in Dutchess County.
Ryan has nominated the County government and Sheriff’s Office for $2,386,00 in federal Community Project Funding for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). $1,184,000 of the funding would help the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office overhaul its Analysis and Real Time Crime Intelligence Center with cutting edge technology, improving the efficiency and responsiveness of local law enforcement and increasing the security of Dutchess County communities. The Dutchess County government would use the other $1,184,000 to develop a consolidated two-way public safety radio system, allowing for enhanced communication across emergency response departments and improving coordination and efficacy of emergency responses throughout the county.
“Supporting law enforcement and our first responders shouldn’t be partisan – it’s about delivering for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe. The Real Time Crime Intelligence Center and new two-way public safety radio system will be absolute game-changers for Dutchess County, said Congressman Pat Ryan. “For months, I’ve worked with Sheriff Imperati, County Executive Serino, and District Attorney Parisi to get these applications in place, and I’m proud to announce both public safety projects are now officially nominated for federal funding. Together, we’re going to cut down on crime, shrink response times, and continue to make Dutchess County a safer community for everyone.”
“At a time where neighbors are feeling less and less safe in their community, it’s on all levels of government to come up with unique and out-of-the-box solutions that will address this challenge head-on,” said Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino. “By being able to react in real-time and ensuring that our communication systems are effective and reliable, we can ensure that our community feels confident that our first responders and law enforcement officials are working together to respond to emergencies. I applaud our Department of Emergency Response, Sheriff Kirk Imperati and District Attorney Anthony Parisi for their innovative thinking and thank Congressman Pat Ryan for recognizing the importance these projects will play in Dutchess County and for his support.”
“On behalf of the men and women at the Sheriff’s Office I would like to thank Congressman Ryan, County Executive Serino, and District Attorney Parisi for all of their hard work and dedication towards improving public safety in Dutchess County,” said Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati. “ Providing more resources for law enforcement is a top priority for me as the Sheriff, and it is made possible by the commitment from those who stand before you today. Thank you, and I look forward to strengthening our partnerships well into the future to continue making Dutchess County one of the safest places to live in all of New York State.”
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Congressman Pat Ryan for making the safety of the residents of Dutchess County a priority,” said District Attorney Anthony Parisi. “ He has played a crucial role in our endeavor to obtain funding for a cutting edge Real-Time Crime Center. The collaboration with Congressman Ryan, Sheriff Imperati, County Executive Serino and the District Attorney’s Office truly demonstrates the strength of cooperative efforts, in serving and protecting our community. The unwavering commitment and teamwork shown by all parties is not only commendable but absolutely necessary to bring this project to fruition. Together, we can assist law enforcement by responding to crime events more efficiently, more deliberately, with improved operational intelligence, and with a proactive emphasis on officer, citizen and community safety which is of the utmost importance to us all.”
“Thank you to Congressman Ryan for nominating Dutchess County and the Sheriff’s Office for this necessary public safety funding,” said State Senator Rob Rolison. “These assets will go a long way toward providing real-time information sharing and better interoperability among local law enforcement. As a retired former police officer who served his community for 26 years and the father of a cop currently on the job, it is critical that we adequately fund the brave men and women who keep us safe. I am grateful to Rep. Ryan for fighting to secure these much-needed appropriations for Dutchess County.”
“Public safety is a priority, and it’s critical that our Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and DA have the resources they need to keep our communities safe,” said State Senator Michelle Hinchey. “I thank Congressman Ryan for fighting to secure this investment, which will enhance our local law enforcement’s ability to serve and protect.”
Congressman Ryan nominated the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office’s Analysis and Real Time Crime Intelligence Center and the Dutchess County government’s consolidated two-way public safety radio system for federal Community Project funding for Fiscal Year 2025. The projects were passed out of the House Appropriations Committee on July 9. Descriptions of the project proposals are as follows:
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office’s Analysis and Real Time Crime Intelligence Center upgrades would elevate the efficiency and responsiveness of policing in the county through the procurement of cutting-edge intelligence gathering, analysis, and sharing equipment, in addition to communication equipment. The improvements will aid police in reducing violent crime and creating a safer community for law enforcement officers, residents and visitors.
Dutchess County’s consolidated two-way public safety radio system consists of investing in 440 new law enforcement radios, replacing dated systems while streamlining and consolidating communication across local law enforcement entities. The project will dramatically improve public safety communication infrastructure, ensuring stable communication and real-time response across the whole of the county.
The House Appropriations Committee’s Community Project Funding initiative allows Members of Congress to target federal funds towards projects and programs that will address the most significant needs facing the communities they represent. Only state, local, and tribal governments; publicly owned entities (e.g. ports, universities, PUDs, etc.) and eligible non-profits are permitted to request Community Project Funding.
Ryan is a firm supporter of local law enforcement and first responders. He has delivered landmark federal funding to local departments, including $400,000 for the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office crisis intervention team ORACLE to help combat the opioid crisis, $375,000 for the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department to start a new Community Policing Unit and hire three new officers, and $300,000 for the Middletown Police Department to bolster its technology investments.
Only weeks after taking office in 2022, Ryan voted for the Invest to Protect Act and joined with local law enforcement leaders to announce over $2.6 million in federal funding was secured for local law enforcement departments and public safety initiatives through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
Congressman Ryan introduced the Public Safety and Community Support Act to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funds for deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs to help local law enforcement combat drug addiction. Congressman Ryan cosponsors extensive legislation supporting local law enforcement, including the Invest to Protect Act of 2023, Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act, Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act of 2023, Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act, 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023, National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act, and Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023.
Congressman Ryan has long advocated for increased funding for law enforcement and first responders, including making repeated calls for increased funding to combat fentanyl trafficking and introducing an amendment to the House’s Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to increase the funding for the COPS grant programs by $5 million. The additional funding would help allow the COPS Office to increase its grant programs that support local law enforcement and community safety initiatives across the country.
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