Sheriff approved to buy new vehicles, a drone, and replace TASERS

Erie County, NY – At the April 29^th session of the Erie County Legislature, Legislator John Gilmour, Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee, voted to approve two resolutions submitted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.

One resolution allows for the purchase of a new vehicle for the Narcotics and Intelligence Unit and a new ROPE vehicle for the SWAT Team. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office most notably uses this equipment for rescues in Zoar Valley and other parts of the county where natural landscapes present a potential danger to the public. The same resolution also acquires a drone for use by the Sheriff’s Office, for use in large public gatherings and at Zoar Valley and along Lake Erie and the Niagara River.

Legislator Gilmour stated, “I was happy to support the passage of these resolutions after discussions with the Sheriff’s Office and testimony from sworn personnel at our Public Safety Committee meeting. Our police do a tough job especially when they are in dangerous or hazardous conditions; I think it’s imperative we give them the tools they need to succeed, and I’ll always stand by that. I am a long standing supporter of our local police force and will continue to be.”

A second resolution allowed the purchase of replacement TASERS and provided for de-escalation training for deputies. Axon Enterprises, who also supplies body cameras to the Sheriff’s Office, will be contracted to provide 100 new TASERS and 5 years of instructional training on less lethal methods of mitigating dangerous situations where use of force may be necessary. Multiple classes will be conducted to address issues faced when dealing with suspects who are autistic, hearing-impaired, or suffer from mental health conditions.

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