With a slight breeze in the air, Senator James Skoufis presented the City of Newburgh Police Department with a $100,000 grant for upgrades to the city camera system and a new response vehicle purchase.

On Wednesday, Sept. 29, Skoufis arrived at the City of Newburgh Police Department on Broadway, greeting officers and other guests in attendance. Making his way to the podium, Skoufis was joined by City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey, City of Newburgh Police Commissioner Jose Gomerez, City of Newburgh Police Chief Anthony Geraci, several city council members and city officers.

“It is imperative that not only we have police that are fully comprehensively responding to crimes when they happen but we also have a police department and technology infrastructure that is able to monitor situations before they happen and be proactive and ensure the city is safe,” Skoufis said.

Skoufis noted the usage of the camera system Shot Spotter used to track and prevent crimes before they happen. Shot Spotter’s technology assists the City of Newburgh department and various other organizations with real-time surveillance to assist in investigations, responses and preventing crimes.

Skoufis then wanted to thank the police department and rank and file by presenting a New York State Senate proclamation honoring and commemorating the heroic work the department did during the course of the pandemic. Skoufis also presented to the department citations from the New York State Senate recognizing each member.

Following the remarks by the senator, Mayor Harvey made his way to the podium. His words of gratitude echoed, the thankful words of the Senators thanks to the department and his work with the senator.

“Senator Skoufis has always, from day one, been a great partner in state government, to the city government. Collaborating partnerships are very meaningful to us,” Harvey said. “I can’t say thank you enough to our public safety department in general but more specifically to our men and women in uniform and our police department.”

The mayor also thanked his fellow council members and all those who served and worked during the course of the last year. With the pandemic still on-going, Harvey said he is happy with the work the department and new leadership are continuing to do and looks forward to days ahead.

Skoufis concluded the conference with his assurance of his work to make this city safe for all residents and visitors. One safety program that Skoufis is involved with is the SNUG program. A press release states that Senator Skoufis, back in 2019, secured the initial funding of $200,000 to launch the program. Since then, Skoufis has continued the program’s funding and support in budget negotiations.

“The most important feeling is one of gratitude and one way that you know my office and I can demonstrate that gratitude is by sharing our thanks,” Skoufis said. “The other way I can show thanks as an office holder is by making sure that the city police department has the resources it needs to do its job.”