Sheriff asks for vehicles
By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-HeraldJOHNSTOWN - The Fulton County Sheriff's Department wants to buy five new vehicles - including a county jail inmate van - as part of a proposed $111,000 capital projects package for 2009.
The van, which transports inmates from the jail on Route 29 to various court dates and other appointments, was rejected in 2007 by supervisors.
Sheriff Thomas J. Lorey approached the Board of Supervisors' Public Safety Committee Monday at the County Office Building to outline his proposed capital projects for 2009. The projects will be reviewed later by the board's Capital Projects Committee.
Lorey said he usually requests two new patrol cars per year, and he did again for 2009.
He also requested the van, which would replace an old and deteriorating van.
"We still need to replace it," Lorey said.
In addition, the sheriff said his proposed capital projects package includes two unmarked vehicles for the investigative division of the sheriff's office. He said his department has been using old patrol cars for investigators. He said the vehicles are too conspicuous in the community.
Lorey said he's trying to keep his capital projects expenditures down.
"Now is the season we need everything extra," he said. "[But] we're trying to save you some money."
In other business:
Lorey requested and received permission from the committee to buy a radar unit through a state Governor's Traffic Safety Committee grant to "reduce unsafe driving behaviors."
The grant was approved by the board last October.
Lorey said the cost of the radar is $2,205.
The committee accepted a $20,000 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant secured by the sheriff's office through state Sen. Hugh T. Farley, R-Niskayuna. The grant must be used to improve traffic safety.
Lorey said his department wants to buy an $18,117 Nikon station, which consists of photographic and measuring equipment to reconstruct traffic accidents and crime scenes.
He said his office also wants to buy two "stop sticks" valued at $1,641. He said the sticks are used for ending traffic pursuits in a safe manner by releasing air from the tires of the offenders' vehicles.
"Instead of chasing people, we try to get ahead of them [with the sticks]," Lorey said.
Michael Anich covers Fulton County and Johnstown. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
