But, he said on Tuesday, the county responded to those challenges, implementing such programs to provide assistance with needs to address addiction, economic hardship and other hurdles. Throughout this year, I witnessed hope that came from the work we did as a county, to fill the breach, provide information, assistance, relief, supplies, and calm, consistent, capable leadership, Molinaro said during his annual State of the County address. We will never be perfect; but I am proud that when others were unreachable, this county government answered the call.
Recovery coaches and harm-reduction techniques were offered for those facing substance abuse. The county set up a scholarship for parents who struggled to access childcare. Frontline workers were offered coordinated care referrals and child care assistance was expanded.
The Dutchess County Sheriff s Office plans to expand its relationships with community groups, continue integrating mental health assistance in its responses to calls for help, and take steps to diversify the pool of candidates eligible to join its ranks.
Those steps and others are included in the office s Police Reform and Modernization Plan, which it says will improve transparency and communication with the areas it serves.
The plan was approved by the county Legislature Monday in a bipartisan, but not unanimous, vote. Six Democrats voted against the plan, including Barrington Atkins, who was a part of the community stakeholders group that created a document to give to all Dutchess municipalities about recommended reform efforts.
NOW Magazine
A “business as usual” police budget for unusual times
Despite calls to modernize, the city seems stuck in a cycle of ever-increasing billion-dollar police budgets for years to come By Enzo DiMatteo
Interim police chief James Ramer.
The Toronto Police Services Board has unanimously approved another billion-dollar budget request from Toronto police last week
The zero per cent increase for 2021 is being touted as “transformational.” But the creative accounting to arrive at a $1.076 billion figure amounts to “kicking the can down the road” for another year when it comes to the hard budget questions, which staff acknowledged under questioning from board members. Staff also identified the inability to draw on dwindling reserve funds to cover future budget costs as a growing concern.