Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck is urging residents to pay close attention as lawmakers finalize the 2026 county budget, warning that proposed staffing reductions will make it harder for deputies to respond quickly during emergencies.
In a statement released this week, Schenck said the county’s current budget plan removes a vacant road patrol deputy position and includes cuts across multiple departments—even as taxpayers face a significant tax increase.
“Every minute matters,” sheriff says
Schenck said the Sheriff’s Office already struggles to keep up with call volume, especially in rural parts of the county where deputies often cover more than 700 square miles with only three to four patrol cars and a supervisor on duty.
Over the past year, he said limited staffing has caused major delays in responding to high‑priority incidents, including:
• A physical domestic incident with a 29‑minute response time in Conquest
• An active domestic assault in Locke that waited more than 30 minutes for a unit
• A dispute with shots fired in Niles where mutual aid was required
• Multiple cases where agencies outside the county served as the primary responder
• A 45‑minute wait at Victory Town Court after a clerk hit panic alarms during a threat
“This is the reality of policing our rural county,” Schenck said, noting that while State Police assist, their patrols face the same call volume challenges.
Budget cuts could make delays worse
Schenck acknowledged the county faces a difficult fiscal picture, but warned that cutting public safety staffing “is not sustainable” and will directly impact residents who rely on fast emergency response.
“As the 2026 budget is finalized, our Sheriff’s Office will continue doing everything we can to protect and serve Cayuga County with the resources we have,” he said. “But the public deserves to understand the reality of our current staffing levels—and the impact further reductions may have.”
He also asked residents to consider a tough question:
“Are you comfortable waiting 30 minutes or more for help?”
Sheriff invites public feedback
Schenck encouraged residents to reach out with concerns as the budget process continues. He can be contacted at [email protected] or by phone at 315‑253‑4337.
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