U.S. Senators Charles
E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand today announced that the Senate
Appropriations Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee has approved
the FY10 Appropriations Bill which includes $100,000 for the Monroe
County Department of Public Safety. The funding will be used to supply
new equipment, benches, hoods and workstations for the Trace Analysis
area to retrieve and examine hairs, fibers, glass impressions, paint,
explosives and fingerprints from evidence submitted to the laboratory.
Schumer and Gillibrand worked closely with members of the
Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this
year’s spending bill.
“To keep our
communities safe, we must provide our local police forces with access
to state-of-the-art technology,” Schumer said. “This funding will
enable our law enforcement officials to better collect and analyze
evidence. By investing in this facility, we are ensuring the safety of
our officers and the families of the surrounding community. I will
fight to see this funding through the full appropriations process.”
“In this day and age,
it is vital that our communities have the tools and resources they need
to respond to emergencies,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal
dollars will go a long way to ensure that Rochester has the technology
and equipment they need to respond to emergencies and ensure our
communities are safe and secure. I will continue to work with Senator
Schumer to ensure that New York receives its fair share for our first
responders.”
The laboratory at the
Monroe County Department of Public Safety provides analytical and
physical examination of a wide variety of material to be used as
evidence in criminal cases, including all controlled drugs seized in
the region. The Monroe County lab is able to perform analysis in
Explosives, Fibers, Glass, Hairs, Impressions and Paint & Polymers.
The staff gives technical aid and provides expert testimony to law
enforcement agencies, the courts, and other governmental agencies in
the region.
he Monroe County
Department of Public Safety, through the effective, dedicated efforts
of its divisions, contractors, employees, volunteers and the community,
provides education, prevention, technical support, inter-agency
coordination and direct services that meet or exceed the expectations
of the courts, individuals, and the public and private agencies
receiving these services in order to enhance the quality of life in
Monroe County.
Now that the bill has
been approved by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, it will be
sent to the full Senate Appropriations Committee which is set to pass
the bill this afternoon. Following approval by the Full Committee and
the Senate, the bill will move towards Conference with the House and
then to the President for signature.