Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Port Jervis reports falling crime, police accreditation push and fire department equipment grants
Summary
Mayor and the chief reported a 14% drop in serious crime versus 2022 and multiple public-safety grants. The volunteer fire department received grant funding toward a new engine and the CDA applied for additional FEMA funding for breathing apparatus.
Mayor (name not specified) and Chief William Wharton reported that serious criminal offenses tracked under the national incident-based reporting system were down more than 14% compared with 2022 and that the police department is pursuing New York State accreditation, a voluntary program with 111 standards across administration, training and operations.
Chief Wharton and the mayor said the department obtained about $310,580 in outside grant funding for technology, facility upgrades and training, and the civil service commission will hold a police officer candidate exam in February. The chief also emphasized continued community outreach efforts including National Night Out and Harvest Festival outreach programs.
Fire Department leaders, described by the mayor as 100% volunteer, reported 450 calls in 2024 with 89 mutual aid calls (about 20% of the total). The city and fire department secured $825,000 in grant funding toward a new fire engine through Congressman Pat Ryan’s office and obtained funding for a turnout-gear extractor dryer. The CDA assisted a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant application for $541,599 to buy 55 self-contained breathing apparatus. The mayor said the department upgraded mobile data terminals and Wi‑Fi in apparatus and that department goals for 2025 include pursuing accredited technical-rescue status, completing central firehouse design study work and preparing for a possible ISO inspection.
The mayor also encouraged residents to consider volunteering for the department and highlighted recent local recognition of firefighters as Orange County Firefighter(s) of the Year for 2023 and 2024.
