Washington, DC – After a steady increase in gang and drug activity in the City of Newburgh, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today called on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to relocate their Hudson Valley Resident Agency offices to Newburgh. A decision is expected in the next few weeks. Last May, Senator Gillibrand hosted a roundtable discussion with Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Mayor Nick Valentine, community leaders and local activists to discuss long term efforts to combat violence in neighborhoods. Senator Gillibrand highlighted her efforts to crack down on drug sales and gang related crime, and establish new prevention, education and at-risk youth programs.
In her letter to the FBI Director Robert Mueller, Senator Gillibrand wrote, “As community leaders in Newburgh work to improve public safety and revitalize their city’s economy, a strong federal law enforcement presence can serve to complement their efforts by reducing the burden on local law enforcement and bringing much-needed federal resources. Like many small cities across New York and the nation, the City of Newburgh’s police department is stretched thin, while the challenges to public safety have increased. In discussions that I have had with local leaders, they are in agreement that increased federal assistance is necessary to meet these serious challenges, and would welcome the relocation of FBI offices to their city.”
The City of Newburgh has seen an increase in violent gang and drug activity over the past several years. The FBI recently carried out significant and successful operations in Newburgh to address that threat. Senator Gillibrand explained that a full-time FBI presence in Newburgh would both improve the Bureau’s ability to build on those successes and send a strong message to gang leaders and drug traffickers that the federal government intends to continue to target major criminal activity in Newburgh. In urging the FBI to locate their offices in Newburgh, Senator Gillibrand emphasized that city officials have already made several suggestions for office locations and expressed their full support if the relocation does take place.