Letter to the Editor:
It’s been a long journey but apparently things will come to
a head Monday, February 13, 2017 at the 2:00 p.m. meeting of the Allegany
County Board of Legislators. I’m
referring to the Sheriff’s plan to use a $45 Thousand dollar grant to purchase
a Drug K-9, License Plate Reader and Drone.
It’s been tabled a couple of times, discussed, researched and vetted
thoroughly with the following facts shining through:
1. The purchase and utilization of a dog by our Sheriff’s
Office is another duplication of a service already available to us via the New
York State Police. One dog is sheltered in Cuba.
2. The services these items address are normally provided by
police agencies that have a road patrol.
Our Sheriff insists he has none.
3. All three (3) Legislators with law enforcement
backgrounds presently serving on the Legislature are opposed to this purchase.
4. Competent authority advises that a K-9 is an overtime
generator and legacy nightmare. The
proposed handler last year (2016) earned almost 1,000 hours in overtime without
a Drug K-9 in his arsenal. He will be paid an automatic 8 hours per month just
to feed, groom and train the dog.
5. Although suggested that it is, there is no guarantee of
the renewal of this grant. It’s a one shot deal. No more, no less. That
information comes from Senator Young’s office.
6. Although repeatedly requested, Chairman Curt Crandall
refuses to allow the New York State Police to address our Board of Legislators
to explain what assets they can bring to bear should an incident happen here.
Not to argue or criticize or compete with our Sheriff’s Office, but to simply
explain – during these troubled times – how they can protect us.
7. Another take home vehicle will have to be assigned. This
will push the number of assigned vehicles up to 6. In addition, the vehicle
will have to be modified to accommodate the dog.
8. Support letters were obtained from school superintendents
regarding the availability of this new service. None were asked for a stipend
from their budgets to support this program.
None were advised that it takes 2 or more dogs, for technical reasons,
to properly clear a school building.
9. I’m told Cattaraugus County is using their $45 Thousand
for overtime. If we can’t buy a car
(Sheriff’s newest is a 2014) why not try to trim down the $1 Million spent on
OT?
My belief is that the Sheriff will not consider any changes
to this grant application because he has the support of Chairman Curt Crandall.
Without that support I believe this issue would have been settled a month or
more ago.
The new Public Safety Facility was built larger than
needed. The thought process was that we
could pay for it by housing in other counties inmates along with the
Fed’s. It’s been noted that this revenue
amounts to approximately $1.3 to $1.6 Million dollars. Now, in the hallways and behind closed doors
the suggestion is being made that we need to support the Sheriff and if we
don’t he might decide not to house in any inmates and then we’d really be in
trouble. Coercion at the least, blackmail at the worst. It makes me sick
to think that this would even be discussed or thought of as a possibility.
Research shows that a dog and a person in uniform is an
impressive thing. It’s a great public relations tool. In reality it’s a “want”
not a “need”. I’ve said this before and I will repeat it until I’m blue in the
face. Our taxes are too high. Our local economy suffers. Businesses are leaving. People are leaving. We need to stop duplicating services, we need
to make every aspect of our government as efficient as possible.
As our Chairman has the intervening time, between now and
then, to twist arms, make promises and garner the magic 8 votes he needs to
make this happen, I respectfully ask three things of you. First, if you are able, please attend our
full board meeting Monday, February 13, 2017 at 2:00 PM. You need to see how your county government
works. Second, that you contact your legislators and let them know how you feel
about this issue and ask them to vote NO! Third, this election year, when your
legislator comes looking for your signature on a petition, ask them how they
voted on this issue. You can find their contact information by visiting
www.alleganyco.com or by calling the Clerk of the Board at 585-268-9222.
Respectfully submitted,Karl E. Graves
District 4 Legislator
