Probation department seeks continued day‑reporting funding and funds for body cameras for armed officers

Tompkins County Probation Department presented to the expanded budget committee on Sept. 15 requesting continuation of one‑time funding for the day‑reporting program and seeking funds to acquire body‑worn cameras for the officers approved to carry firearms. Chief probation staff said the department has stabilized staffing (31 full‑time equivalents) and described a rise in day‑reporting utilization after a pilot that added conditions of probation for appropriate cases; the department reported serving 174 participants in 2024 and 164 to date in 2025, with average participant lengths of 5 to 10 days. The department said day reporting provides an alternative to incarceration and a supervised space for people with needs in housing, employment, mental health and substance‑use support. Probation also presented a budget estimate to equip eight officers (those approved to be armed) with body‑worn cameras, including acquisition, training and cloud storage; the department said per‑officer assignment of cameras is a best practice and that final vendor selection and exact costs will depend on contracting once funds are available. Probation said if day‑reporting funding is not restored, contracted programming and capacity would be reduced and the department’s ability to offer that alternative to incarceration would be constrained. Committee members asked about location, revenue sources and training; probation said co‑location with Social Services is operationally useful, the department’s modest fee revenue is limited, and the proposed budget keeps staffing levels intact.