It’s a beautiful day in Steuben County. January started with a warm and wet New Year’s Day, and now brings us arctic air reminding us that we do, in fact, live in Upstate New York. As we brace for another potential Covid infection spike, we also continue to move forward in this new normal of masks, vaccinations, boosters and continued social distancing. In December your Sheriff’s Office was fortunate to partner with the US Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program to provide toys to children across Steuben County. We again collected over 1,000 toys and over 150 coats for distribution to Steuben County children. We also served over thirty families in our “Shop with a Cop” program at both the Hornell and Erwin Walmart stores. Many thanks to our partners at Walmart and the Hornell, Canisteo, SUNY Alfred and North Hornell Police Departments.
On December 23rd, Sheriff Allard and Lieutenant Mills cooked and provided lunch for the entire Sheriff’s Office, grilling 80 cheeseburgers and 100 hotdogs with meat-sauce, and serving chili and macaroni and cheese. During the luncheon we recognized Officer Brois for 20 years of service, Officers Cantwell and Waight and Sergeant Wetherby for 15 years of service, Sergeant Scott, Maintenance Person Remchuck and Investigator Ellison for 10 years of service. Thank you to all of the team for their service and especially to those achieving such impressive milestones.
December was another busy and challenging month in the Sheriff’s Office. Our investigators were tasked with seven death investigations, six fire investigations, five assault investigations, five sexual assault investigations, two burglary investigations, two animal cruelty investigations, a stolen vehicle investigation and two welfare fraud cases. Our Patrol Division was tasked with ten domestic incident investigations, a high visibility engagement campaign, an increase in mental health responses and assisting our investigators. The SWAT team was activated three times, assisting another agency for a barricaded armed subject, one high risk search warrant and one search warrant.
Congratulations to Deputy Nybeck and Deputy Waite for successfully completing the NYS DCJS SWAT Operator Course held in Livingston County. Congratulations to Deputy Shepherd for successfully completing the NYS DCJS Collision Reconstruction Investigation Course. Congratulations to Corporal Day for successfully completing the Force Science De-escalation Instructor Course.
Our Office was again blessed with the partnership and assistance provided by our Volunteer Fire Services, local Police Departments, Emergency Management Office, New York State Police and the Finger Lakes SPCA and Hornell Humane Society.
Sheriff Allard presented at a town board meeting in December and joined Undersheriff McNelis and Lieutenant Logsdon presenting in-service training for all deputies regarding recent changes in NYS law.
In January the Sheriff’s Office will be hosting and instructing in a regional NYS DCJS Police Supervision Course which instructs new police supervisors in the transition and responsibilities associated with becoming a supervisor.
In our Civil Office, the New York State eviction moratorium continues with exceptions. If you are a landlord and wish to receive further information regarding the moratorium exceptions, please contact your legal representation for clarification. We continue to receive updates regarding the status of our property owner’s and tenant’s rights.
For all of 2021 we celebrated the 225th anniversary of the Sheriff’s Office. From Sheriff William Dunn, who was sworn in on March 31st 1796 to our present team, the Sheriff’s Office continuously strives to provide professional public safety services to the citizens of Steuben County. I am honored to publicly represent the men and women of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office. They have met the challenges of providing 21st century public safety services, head on, and have developed into a band of true professionals who are engaged in constant evolvement and improvement. I am excited to see what 2022 brings and humbled to be able to work beside true heroes, our dedicated public servants.
Happy New Year and stay safe!
Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard
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