Operations
Lt. Andrew Bigelow
The purpose and goal of the Allegany County Tactical Response Team is to assist local law enforcement and the citizens of Allegany County with emergent or possible emergent crisis situations such as the execution of high risk arrest/search warrants, active shooter issues, hostage incidents, securing crime scenes, search and rescue operations and felony traffic stops in Allegany County. The team is currently comprised of eleven (11) Deputy Sheriff’s, four (4) support staff and one (1) Police Sergeant from the Town of Cuba Police Department.
During the year 2019, members of the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Narcotics Unit conducted investigations into the sale and trafficking of narcotics, marijuana, and other dangerous drugs within Allegany County, as well as other criminal investigations. These investigations resulted in the adoption of 36 cases, all of which were drug related. Of these 36 cases, 10 were Felony level offenses, 15 were Misdemeanor level offenses, and 11 were violation level offenses. ACSO Investigators arrested 19 people in 2019, resulting in a total of 30 different charges placed against these 19 people.
The Civil Division is currently comprised of one Supervising Lieutenant, one Deputy Sergeant, one Deputy and one Civilian Clerk. The division managed several changes in the New York State Civil Practice Laws and Rules which are continually updated and revised by the New York State Sheriff’s Association legal counsel and continues to train, educate and practice a level of professionalism that has been recognized across the state.
The Civil Deputies perform all Division duties in accordance with the New York State Civil Practice Laws and Rules. Deputies are certified by the New York State Sheriff’s Association. In 2019, there were 1,436 services including 44 evictions, 125 orders of protection, 20 subpoenas, 613 summonses, complaints, petitions and family court processes and 504 income/property executions. The Civil Deputy Sergeant and one Deputy cover both the day shift (8am-4pm) as well as the evening shift (4pm-12am) Monday through Saturday allowing for the efficient and successful service of all documents and to provide a professional and courteous service of all documents.
Both Civil Deputies also perform law enforcement duties and patrol while assigned their respective shift. Civil Deputies issued 266 Uniform Traffic Tickets, performed 10 prisoner transports, 81 assists to other agencies, 43 vehicle unlocks, 82 warrant attempts and made a total of 128 criminal arrests. They also supplement all out-side details performed by the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Marine Division is comprised of 10 full-time Deputy Sheriffs who are all certified N.Y.S. Boater Safety Course instructors and N.Y.S. D.E.C. certified Marine Patrol Officers. The assigned officers patrol Cuba and Rushford Lakes comprising a total of 4 square miles of water surface. The Marine Patrol works with local communities in an effort to educate the boating public on the rules, laws and regulations of the N.Y.S. marine law. Currently, the Marine Division operates two watercraft and two Jet-Ski Patrol Units. In 2019 deputies conducted 304 hours of patrol on the lakes where they performed 48 vessel inspections in an effort to ensure boater safety. Deputies assisted 7 boaters with vessel rescue, maintenance issues and the rescue of errant vessels.
The Sheriff’s Marine Division is dedicated to the safety of all county residents and those out-of county persons who choose to visit both Cuba and Rushford Lakes. The emphasis of the Marine Patrol is the education of the boating public so as to maintain a high level of safety and security for all those on the water. Deputies realize, accept and understand the importance of community concern and customer service, all the while balancing the requirements of both local and New York State Marine Law.
COURT SECURITY
The Allegany County Court Security Unit is now comprised of seven deputy sheriffs and one supervisor. One deputy is assigned to each judge and/or magistrate to provide security and prepare the courtroom before each case to ensure a safe and organized environment for all court participants. Additionally, deputies are assigned to courtroom lobbies to maintain order and to assemble litigants and their attorneys for scheduled proceedings.
At the main entrance of the County Courthouse and the County Office Building, there is a magnetometer to detect metal objects on persons entering the facility. Also, an X-ray machine is used to display the contents of purses, handbags, briefcases and any other containers capable of concealing contraband. In addition, the deputies assigned to the entrance assist people in locating the appropriate courtroom and/or office to conduct their business. At times, court deputies will assist with escorting prisoners to and from court appearances. Court deputies execute criminal and civil warrants as well.
During the year 2017, the Allegany County Courts were open for 249 work days. There were a total of 138,843 people screened by court/building security personnel. On average, 558 people passed through the magnetometers per day.
A total of 790 contraband items including handguns, drug paraphernalia, knives, razors, chemical spray, ammunition and common tools were confiscated from persons entering the courthouse complex. Additionally, court security personnel, in conjunction with building and grounds security, arrested 15 people on warrants and other crimes in progress in and around the court facility.
BUILDING SECURITY
Building Security for the county complex is currently conducted by a single deputy responsible for the personal safety of over 370 employees on 3 separate campuses. The deputy responded to 392 calls for service in 2017 including 23 arrests, 12 court transports, 12 assists to outside agencies, 265 assistance calls for the county clerk’s office, 12 assists for the probation department, 8 medical responses and assisted the general public with 6 lockouts. They are responsible for the patrol of all parking lots and supervises the day to day activities of public vehicular and pedestrian traffic while doing business at the county complex. Their professional, reliable and prompt response to all calls for service can be considered a direct reflection of the high level of safety and security enjoyed by county employees, as well as the general public while working or visiting the county complex.
The 2016 addition of the new security post and elevator at the entrance to the County Office Building (adjacent to the Health Department) has added to the complexity of securing the complex.
D.S.S. SECURITY
Also there currently is a single Deputy assigned to the Department of Social Services, who responded to 77 calls for service in 2017 including, 12 personal alarm tests, 32 alarm responses, 25 security escorts and 1 medical assist. He is responsible for the safety and security of over 150 county employees and also monitors the high flow of public, vehicular and pedestrian traffic that visit the Department on a daily basis.
Head Dispatcher Randy Swarthout
In 2019 the 911 Center processed 83053 calls for emergency and non-emergency assistance, a 4.74% increase over the prior year. From this 47403 CAD/incident (Computer Aided Dispatch) reports were created. These reports show the following breakdown for services: law enforcement 36,639 and 71.90% of the total call volume; Ambulance calls 8,925, and 17.51% of the total call volume; fire calls 3,234 and 6.35% of total call volume; and other calls 2,163 for 4.24% of the call volume.
The 911 Division currently employs 16 full-time emergency service dispatchers (ESD), Randy Swarthout is the head dispatcher, and Russ Hall is assigned to the GIS and enumeration project. The dispatch center also employs 6 part-time ESD’s and one full-time radio technician.
We have continued the work on the expansion of the county radio system. The new radio equipment was delivered to the seven new tower locations late in the year but not installed for use. We are still waiting to get electric at one of the sites due to easement issues. Work has been ongoing with the Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.), the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and A.P.C.O. to obtain additional radio frequencies for expanding the system that are much needed by our end-users – police, fire, ambulance and public works personnel. This process is slow due to the legal agreements between the United States and Canada in the frequency range that is needed.
The New Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Tyler-New World, that was implemented in late 2018 has enhanced and expanded additional capabilities, with sometimes vital information to the dispatchers in assisting the emergency service responders.
The 911 Center continues to be the primary point of contact for all SCPA complaints in the county along with being the after-hours point of contact for the county Health Department and the Department of Social Services for child and adult protective services.
We continue to work with the ever changing technology as the industry moves forward to Next Generation 911 (NG911). The dedicated staff continue education and training to be better prepared to handle the calls for assistance from the residents and visitors in Allegany County
