GUN SAFETY, EDUCATION THE FOCUS IN COLLABORATION BETWEEN GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION TASK FORCE, ERIE COUNTY SHERIFF’S BEHAVIORAL THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM

Modified: January 25, 2023 11:56am

Latest News

  •  42 North Brewing Company, Resurgence Brewing Company Tap into Parks Excitement at Chestnut Ridge, Ellicott Creek, Wendt Beach, Como Lake, Emery, Sprague Brook Parks

    May 30, 2023 1:38pm
  • Members of local, county, and state law enforcement announced plans for increased enforcement and extra patrols as part of the state and national DWI Enforcement Campaign May 26 through May 30, 2023.  Dedicated DWI patrols and sobriety checkpoints await impaired drivers throughout the county.

    So far this year nearly 700 drivers have been arrested for Impaired Driving in Erie County. Those convicted of DWI can expect to pay an average of $10,000 in fines and other costs and are prohibited from entering Canada for 10 years. Motorists are encouraged to use the many safe, convenient, and low-cost alternatives to driving after drinking.

    Download New York’s ‘Have A Plan’ App http://stopdwi.org/mobileapp  for local options and to learn more about DWI consequences.

     

     THIS CAMPAIGN IS A COOPERATIVE EFFORT OF THE ERIE COUNTY CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION, THE NEW YORK STATE POLICE, THE ERIE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, AND THE CENTRAL POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF ERIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE MARK POLONCARZ.

    -xxx-

    May 26, 2023 11:35am
  • Three-year program allocates $25 million for cultural capital projects; small- to mid-size organizations encouraged to apply

     

    Applications due by close of business on Friday July 7; Officials Meet at Road Less Traveled Productions to Announce Round Two, Review Renovated/Expanded Lobby Space

    May 24, 2023 1:53pm
  • Erie County Executive Mark C.

    May 23, 2023 1:56pm
  • The Erie County Personnel Department and ASPA Buffalo Niagara Chapter, the local chapter for the American Society for Public Administration, will host a Public Service Job Fair on Wednesday

    May 19, 2023 9:08pm

For press releases from other years, please click on one of the following links:

Date: 
1/25/23

The Erie County Gun Violence Task Force (“the Task Force”) and the Erie County Sheriff’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Team (“the Team”) are collaborating to promote gun safety and education in Erie County, with the Task Force supplying one hundred gunlocks and accompanying gun safety information for the Team to use during interactions with the public. New York State penal law §265.50 requires that rifles, shotguns and firearms be safely and securely stored or locked when a person less than the age of sixteen could potentially access the firearm, or the firearm owner could face a fine of up to $250.

 

“Gun safety and education can always be improved and I thank the Task Force and the Threat Assessment Team for working together to keep our community safer,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Something as simple as a gun lock could save a life if that firearm fell into the wrong hands, so every measure, every action, every effort to better protect the public is worth it. Erie County is committed to preventing gun-related tragedies and partnerships such as this demonstrate that commitment.”

 

“With help from the Erie County Legislature and the County Executive, I established the Erie County Sheriff’s Behavioral Threat Assessment Team following the horrific mass shooting that occurred in Buffalo on May 14, 2022,” said Erie County Sheriff John Garcia. “This team’s primary focus is to keep our community safe by investigating and interrupting pathways to intended violence so we can prevent additional tragedies. Since its inception, the team has conducted twenty-two investigations. Of those investigations, firearms were a factor in 75% of the cases. Gun owners must be responsible and secure their firearms from those suffering from mental health issues and those who may have nefarious intentions.”

 

Task Force member and Executive Director of the Stop the Violence Coalition Murray Holman added, “The Task Force has been working in the community to lessen incidents of gun violence and we welcome partners in that effort. By supplying these gun locks it is our hope that more lives are saved and tragedies prevented, and we stand ready to supply more of these locks if they are needed. All of us should be concerned about gun violence in our community and we can all play a role in reducing it.”

 

# # #