Schumer to DOD: Put Newburgh at Top of List for Unused Military Equipment to Help Newburgh PD Battle Crime, Drug Violence - Pushes Defense Department to Boost Newburgh PD's Ability to Keep City Safe

Press Release

Newburgh Police Department Is Seeking Unused Military Equipment To Strengthen Counterdrug Initiatives and Equip Officers On The Front Lines In The Battle Against Violent Crime

In Personal Letter to Head Of DOD's Law Enforcement Support Office, Schumer Urges DOD To Prioritize Newburgh PD's Requests Given The City's Serious Drug and Crime Problem

Schumer: Once On Hand, Unused Weapons, Protective Gear, And Vehicles Should Be Sent To Newburgh Where They Can Do The Most Good

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he is calling on the Department of Defense's Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) to prioritize Newburgh's request to obtain unused weapons, protective gear, and vehicles that would be helpful for local law enforcement as they continue the fight against violent crime. The Newburgh Police Department is closely monitoring LESO inventory, and is seeking to take advantage of the LESO program that transfers surplus equipment and vehicles at the DOD to fulfill the needs of state and local law enforcement organizations, as soon as the equipment best fit for Newburgh's fight against drugs and crime are available. Newburgh Police Chief Michael D. Ferrara notes a serious need for the Department of Defense to help aid Newburgh police in the face of continued gang violence, and has set up a watch list to alert their Department when a piece of LESO equipment that fits their needs is available. Upon filing, Schumer states that Newburgh's request should be honored as quickly as possible given the area's crime problem, and is pledging his full support of any and all requests of the Department of Defense. Newburgh has the highest violent crime rate in all of New York State, at 1,689 violent crime incidents per 100,000 people.

"Our law enforcement professionals risk their lives every single day to protect our communities, and in return we owe them the best tools available to stay safe on the job," said Schumer. "I urge the Department of Defense to prioritize the Newburgh Police Department's requests for the DOD's surplus equipment. These vehicles, unused weapons and protective gear will be vital tools for the police to protect themselves while strengthening counterdrug initiatives and fighting against the scourge of gang activity and violence that is all too prevalent in Newburgh. The Police Department must have the tools they need to get the job done safely and protect their community."

Schumer was joined at the press conference announcing his support of Newburgh's participation in the DOD's LESO program by Chief Ferrara, members of the Newburgh Police Department, and Newburgh Mayor Nicholas Valentine.

Section 1033 of the Fiscal Year 1997 National Defense Authorization Act, managed by the Department of Defense's Law Enforcement Support Office, provides a vital service by transferring equipment and vehicles, which are surplus to the Defense Department's needs, to state and local law enforcement organizations. The Newburgh Police Department learned of specific types of unused weapons, protective gear and vehicles that are typically part of the LESO inventory, and that would strengthen Newburgh's counterdrug initiatives and equip officers on the front lines in the battle against violent crime. The Newburgh Police Department is closely monitoring the LESO inventory, and is seeking to take advantage of the LESO program as soon as the equipment best fit for Newburgh's fight against drugs and crime is available. Newburgh Police Chief Michael D. Ferrara notes a serious need for Department of Defense to help aid the department in the face of continued gang violence, and has set up a watch list to alert the Newburgh Police Department when a piece of LESO equipment that fits their needs is available.

Recently, Newburgh has been the scene of numerous serious crimes in which the Newburgh Police Department would have benefited from LESO's military grade equipment. Equipment, from vehicles to bulletproof vests, are constantly needed in Newburgh to combat these crimes and the extreme budget situation has placed a strain on the city. Just last year, the city had to increase property taxes 71% and cut services just to stay afloat, making the procurement of new police supplies very difficult.

Newburgh has the highest violent crime rate in all of New York State, at 1,689 violent crime incidents per 100,000 people. This is over three times the state's violent crime average, which is 497 violent crime incidents per 100,000 people. The national average is 676 violent crime incidents per 100,000 people. Newburgh is in the 100th percentile rank in New York for violent crime and is in the 97th percentile nationally. Newburgh has become a prime example of a growing national problem of gangs and violence in smaller communities, as it has become the scene of shootings, beatings and murders.

Senator Schumer has pledged his support to help battle Newburgh's crime problem for many years. Schumer has helped Newburgh acquire a Weed and Seed grant from the Department of Justice to help prevent violent crime and reduce drug trafficking through community policing initiatives, as well as a COPS grant to hire new police officers. In 2010, Senator Schumer successfully recommended to Attorney General Eric Holder that he send a top ranking official to Newburgh to pay personal attention to Newburgh's high crime rates. Schumer has pushed to have high ranking DOJ officials tour Newburgh, and for the Justice Department to have greater involvement in the city. Schumer is also continuing to press FBI Director Robert Mueller to relocate the FBI's Hudson Valley office to Newburgh, putting more boots on the ground to aid local law enforcement.

Source