To the editor:

Recently, the Department of Justice announced it would resume making payments to state and local police departments under the equitable sharing program. Payments from this program are essential to ensuring the continued partnership between local law enforcement and federal agencies as they confront a variety of challenges, from drug trafficking to terrorism. My office has used these funds in the past to fund our K-9 program as well as our Emergency Response Unit. Our county’s geographic location makes it uniquely reliant on close and continuing relationships with federal law enforcement and immigration agencies. Without these funds, your local sheriff and police departments will have been unable to continue the critical partnerships and crime prevention efforts funded by the equitable sharing program.

I applaud this decision and especially the work of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. She quickly acted to gather information and request answers from the Department of Justice. Her leadership and guidance were essential in ensuring the restoration of payments when I and my office reached out to her office. The sudden cessation of payments left my sheriffs without the vital tools and services they need to protect lives and prevent crime. The resumption of this program would not have been possible without the work of Ms. Stefanik.

Our sheriffs work every day to ensure public safety while respecting civil rights and liberties. This program, when used correctly, extends the resources of local law enforcement and allows for more efficient and productive police work. Once again, I thank Congresswoman Stefanik for her efforts in pushing the Department of Justice to resume payments and ensure local law enforcement have the tools they need.

Nathan H. “Bud” York

Warren County Sheriff

Lake George