With warmer weather on the horizon, the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office is shifting into short sleeves and looking back on a month filled with both challenges and achievements.
Sheriff Jim Allard opened the April newsletter acknowledging the ongoing turmoil in New York’s corrections system. A statewide strike by correction officers led Governor Kathy Hochul to issue an executive order barring municipalities from hiring striking officers. That order is set to expire on April 9. Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, grappling with a shortage of 4,000 officers, has authorized early releases and continues relying on National Guard support.
In a high-profile development, Steuben County native Terry Cole was nominated by former President Trump to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency. A Corning East graduate and 23-year DEA veteran, Cole received letters of endorsement from both Sheriff Allard and the Steuben County Association of Chiefs of Police.
Locally, the Sheriff’s Office highlighted a wide range of training and community engagement efforts. Sergeant Sorge and Deputy Butler led another NYS Boater’s Safety Course, while Lieutenant Thompson completed the DCJS Basic Course in Corrections for new officers. Additional specialized training included firearms, evidence handling, physical fitness instruction, and SWAT operations.
The office also praised community outreach efforts. Sheriff Allard appeared on the “Frankly Speaking” show and attended multiple volunteer fire department banquets—including a celebration of Campbell Volunteer Fire Department’s 100th anniversary. He also spoke at Mental Health Matters Day in Albany and joined discussions on modernizing Corning Community College’s criminal justice program.
March proved busy for criminal investigations as well. Deputies and investigators tackled cases involving burglary, robbery, assault, endangering a child, sex offenses, narcotics, and more. The office reported handling 12 larceny investigations, five death investigations, and four fire investigations, among many others. Patrol deputies also responded to domestic incidents, medical emergencies, and four impaired driving arrests.
Sheriff Allard concluded the newsletter with gratitude for community support and a message of solidarity with first responders and military personnel. “Thank you for supporting the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office in these challenging times and stay safe,” he wrote.
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