Ryan Announces Funding for Orange County Public Safety

Last week, Congressman Pat Ryan joined Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta, and Orange County Emergency Services Commissioner Peter Cirigliano to announce their joint efforts to strengthen public safety in Orange County. Ryan selected the county government and the Department of Emergency Services for $1,808,405 in federal community projects funding for fiscal year 2025. The funding has already been approved by the Appropriations Committee and is expected to receive a final vote as part of the government funding bill this fall. $1,023,405 of the funding will be used to modernize the Orange County Emergency Operations Center, including converting the current dispatch trainee room into a real-time intelligence center with new integrated technology. The Orange County government will use the remaining $785,000 to purchase 200 body cameras for corrections officers at the Orange County Jail.

“I fight every day to strengthen public safety throughout the Hudson Valley, and that means working hand-in-hand with our local leaders to provide them with the resources they need, regardless of their political party. These investments in Orange County will significantly enhance public safety for residents,” Ryan said. “I want to give a special thank you to County Executive Neuhaus, Sheriff Arteta, and Emergency Services Commissioner Cirigliano for their partnership in implementing these apps. Together, we will ensure that Orange County is a safe community for all.”

“Emergency management is one of my top priorities and I am grateful to Deputy Ryan for helping me and my team continue to upgrade and improve our capabilities,” Neuhaus said. Sheriff Arteta added, “This funding from Deputy Ryan will be critical to supporting our members as they work. Body cameras are essential to gathering evidence and adding another layer of transparency to our office.”

Descriptions of the Ryan Project proposals are as follows:

Funding for the Orange County Emergency Operations Center will be used to upgrade the existing 911/EOC display wall and install a larger display to accommodate more video feeds, upgrade the technology and display wall in the County’s EOC Command Room, and convert the existing Dispatch Trainee Room into a Real-Time Intelligence Center with new integrated real-time technology to support the EOC during activations. The EOC was built in 2008 and these critical technology upgrades will increase first responder response time and improve public safety for Orange County’s 400,000 residents.

The Orange County Jail funding will support 200 body cameras for corrections officers. These body cameras will create a comprehensive accountability system for corrections officers employed at the Orange County Jail and will protect corrections officers and staff, in addition to individuals in the custody and custody of the jail.

Research has shown that body cameras in correctional settings improve relationships and communication between correctional officers and the people they are charged with monitoring. The use of body cameras will help reduce use-of-force incidents and injuries to correctional officers, staff, and incarcerated individuals, while ensuring the safety and accountability of all parties.