Ryan has selected the Orange County government, including the Department of Emergency Services and the Jail, for nearly $2 million in federal Community Project Funding to invest in enhancing public safety across Orange County; funding has already passed through Appropriations Committee and will become law pending final passage of the FY25 government funding bill

 Funding will be used for critical upgrades to the Orange County Emergency Operations Center, as well as 200 body-worn cameras for corrections officers at the Orange County Jail

 GOSHEN, NY  –  Friday, September 6th, Congressman Pat Ryan joined with Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta, and Orange County Commissioner of Emergency Services Peter Cirigliano to announce their joint efforts to bolster public safety in Orange County. Ryan has selected the County government and Emergency Services department for $1,808,405 in federal Community Project Funding for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The funding has already passed through the Appropriations Committee, and is expected to get a final vote as part of the government funding bill this fall. $1,023,405 of the funding will be used for critical upgrades to the Orange County Emergency Operations Center, including the conversion of the current Dispatcher Trainee Room into a Real-time Intelligence Center with integrated new Real-Time technology. Orange County government will use the other $785,000 to purchase 200 body-worn cameras for corrections officers at the Orange County Jail. 

 “I’m fighting every day to bolster public safety across the Hudson Valley – and that means working hand-in-hand with our local leaders to deliver the resources they need, regardless of political party. These investments in the Orange County Emergency Operations Center and the Orange County Jail are going to significantly strengthen public safety for Orange County residents,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “I’d like to specifically thank County Executive Neuhaus, Sheriff Arteta, and Emergency Services Commissioner Cirigliano for their partnership in getting these applications in place, and I’m proud to announce both public safety projects have passed through the Appropriations Committee. Together, we are going to ensure Orange County is a safe community for everyone.”

 “Emergency Management is one of my top priorities and I am grateful to Congressman Ryan for helping me and my team continue to upgrade and improve our capabilities,” said Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus. 

 “This funding by Congressmen Ryan will be instrumental in aiding our members while they are working,” said Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta. “ Body cameras are instrumental in collecting evidence and adding another layer of transparency to our office.”

 “I applaud County Executive Steve Neuhaus for prioritizing the public safety of Orange County residents in fully supporting this project. Additionally, Congressman Pat Ryan’s commitment to securing over $1 million in grant funds for our new 911 Real Time Intelligence Center and improved Emergency Operations Center represents a significant enhancement to our emergency services,” said Peter Cirigliano, Commissioner, Department of Emergency Services. “His support guarantees that Orange County will benefit from advanced resources to protect our community.”

 Congressman Ryan selected and nominated Orange County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Orange County Jail’s body-worn camera program for federal Community Project funding for Fiscal Year 2025. The projects were passed out of the House Appropriations Committee on July 9, and will become law pending final passage of the FY25 government funding bill. Descriptions of the project proposals are as follows:

 Orange County Emergency Operations Center funding will go toward critical upgrades to the existing EOC/911 display wall and a larger screen to accommodate more video sources, upgrades to the technology and display wall in the County Executive’s EOC Command Room, and conversion of the current Dispatcher Trainee Room into a Real-time Intelligence Center with integrated new Real-Time technology to support the EOC during activations. The EOC was constructed in 2008 and these critical technology upgrades will boost first responder time and enhance public safety for the 400,000 residents of Orange County. 

 The funding for the Orange County Jail will be used to fund 200 body-worn cameras for the corrections officers. These body-worn cameras will create a comprehensive system of accountability for correctional officers employed at Orange County Jail and protect correctional officers and staff, in addition to those in the care and custody of the jail. Research has shown that body-worn cameras in jail settings improve relationships and communication among corrections officers and those they are trusted to oversee. The use of body-worn cameras will help to reduce use-of-force incidents and injuries to corrections officers, staff, and those incarcerated while ensuring the safety and accountability of all parties. 

 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.