PRESS RELEASE February 26, 2021

County of Yates DRAFT Plan Released for Public Comment

On Governors Executive Order for Police Reform and Reinventive Collaborative

Penn Yan, N.Y. – Yates County Legislature Chairman Douglas Paddock and Sheriff Ron Spike have released a DRAFT 54 page document entitled “Yates County Law Enforcement Collaborative Report and Plan,” for public comment before it is finalized in March.

Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order in June of 2020 directed municipalities to review their community needs and evaluate law enforcement’s current policies and practices, to foster trust, fairness and legitimacy to address bias, and any disproportionate policing of communities of color as a part of the state’s criminal justice reform, as well as use of force and officer’s conduct. Further, to review and evaluate policies and the police services currently being provided in the County of Yates by the Sheriff’s Office. The Yates County Legislature must do a certification of reform compliance and plan, on or before April 1, 2021, or risk the loss of state aid from the NYS Division of Budget.

Spike and Paddock created Power Point files and presented them to the County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) January 14, and to Legislators, stakeholders and the public on January 19 and 27. Participant questions and suggestions were entertained. Surveys were provided to municipalities, the public, to law enforcement, and jail inmates.

“Our goal is to seek public comments on the DRAFT plan for evaluation and presentation to the CJCC for that bodies review, and to finalize it for a presentation to the County Legislature,” said Sheriff Spike, “Our agency NYS Accreditation positioned us well in addressing the required components of a plan.” According to Chairman Paddock, “We have followed the guidance from the Governor’s office in formulating this draft plan, and intend on the Legislature to discuss and ratify, or adopt a final plan for a certification resolution sent to the NYS State Division of Budget at a later March date.”

The “Yates County Law Enforcement Collaborative DRAFT Report and Plan,” is available on the county web site at <www.yatescounty.org> and on the Sheriffs web site >www.yatescountysheriff.org> or agency App. Additionally you can also contact Clerk of the Legislature Connie Hayes via email [email protected] or telephone 315-536-5150. If using US mail send to 417 Liberty St, Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527 by March 11.