The finance committee on July 21 approved police requests to accept three public‑safety grants and discussed how the funds will be used.

Police leadership told the committee the department had been awarded a $15,000 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) through state criminal justice services and federal funds, and that staff planned to use the award to expand license‑plate reader (LPR) capability. The chief explained the department already operates multiple LPRs at interstate approaches and on mobile patrol cars; the JAG award will fund additional fixed‑site units targeted at arterial routes and crime “hot spots.” Staff said the current procurement would likely buy three units, each in a pay‑as‑a‑service leasing model, and that typical costs run about $2,500 per unit per year; the procurement contemplated paying for devices for multiple years. The committee voted to accept the JAG award on a unanimous voice vote.

Separately, the committee moved and approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement for the GIVE (Gun Involved Violence Elimination) program. Staff said the county’s GIVE award was distributed among county partners and that the Schenectady Police Department’s allocation is $452,133; that allocation funds three detectives (two assigned to gun‑related investigations and one assigned to nonfatal shooting investigations), a dedicated analyst and overtime/fringe costs. The presenter said the GIVE partnership also funds community engagement and youth programming (noting small line items for youth activities and transportation in the budget). Committee members asked about the youth component and how partner agencies decide allocations; staff said the countywide partners (police, district attorney, probation and sheriff) meet and divide activities and funding among agencies. The GIVE agreement vote also passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: The JAG award expands license‑plate reader coverage in targeted locations, a policing tool the department says helps identify incoming and outgoing vehicles and supports investigations. The GIVE funding pays for dedicated investigators and analytic capacity focused on gun violence and nonfatal shootings, sustaining a multi‑agency initiative the presenter described as having produced measurable results over 12 years.

What happens next: Staff will return with procurement details for the LPRs and will execute the GIVE intergovernmental agreement. The department indicated that funded personnel are existing employees funded by the grant and that grant revenues will be recorded as revenue in the department’s budget.